Dwarf Animation Studio is a premier, innovation-driven creative powerhouse located in the vibrant tech and art hub of Montpellier, France. We are currently seeking a visionary Senior Final Layout Artist / Cinematic Artist to join our team for an ambitious, stylized animated feature film produced entirely within Unreal Engine.

At Dwarf, we sit at the intersection of cutting-edge real-time technology and high-end artistic excellence. This role is not merely about technical placement; it is about “cinematic enhancement.” You will be the final artistic filter, responsible for polishing shots, refining visual storytelling, and ensuring every frame meets the world-class standards of global feature animation. If you are a master of composition with a deep technical grip on Unreal Engine, we want to hear from you.

Estimated Compensation & Benefits

Dwarf Animation Studio provides competitive salaries aligned with the French animation industry and the specialized nature of real-time cinematic roles. The following is an estimated range based on senior-level benchmarks in the Montpellier region for 2026:

Your Mission: Elevating the Lens

As a Final Layout Artist, your work is the bridge between initial blocking and the final rendered image. You will work under the direct supervision of the Layout Supervisor and the Director to breathe life and rhythm into every sequence.

Key Responsibilities:

• Shot Polishing: Take existing layout shots and refine them directly within Unreal Engine to reach a high-fidelity visual standard.
• Cinematic Composition: Enhance framing, lens choices, and camera positioning to strengthen the emotional impact of the narrative.
• Dynamic Camera Movement: Polish and smooth camera paths to achieve cinematic results that feel intentional and professional.
• Environment & Set-Dressing: Adjust props, environmental elements, and scene depth (foreground, midground, and background) to improve visual clarity and aesthetic appeal.
• Real-Time Optimization: Ensure that while shots are visually rich, they remain optimized for real-time performance within the Unreal pipeline.
• Iterative Collaboration: Actively implement creative feedback from directors, demonstrating an ability to pivot styles while maintaining consistency across sequences.

Technical Mastery

• Unreal Engine Expert: This is an absolute requirement. You must have deep proficiency in Unreal Engine, specifically with Sequencer, Camera actors, Level management, and scene organization.
• Cinematographic Background: Proven experience as a Layout or Cinematic Artist on high-end animation features or real-time projects (AAA Games or Virtual Production).
• Lens & Rhythm: A sophisticated understanding of cinematic principles including depth of field, focal lengths, rhythm, staging, and lighting integration.
• Shot Preparation: Ability to organize and prepare complex scenes for final review and downstream delivery.

Core Competencies

• Detail Oriented: A “pixel-perfect” mindset when it comes to framing and visual storytelling.
• Problem Solver: Ability to troubleshoot technical issues within Unreal Engine to achieve the desired creative outcome.
• Language Proficiency: Fluency in English is essential for interpreting oral and written direction and collaborating within our international team.

Who You Are

You are more than a technician; you are a visual storyteller who understands how a slight shift in a camera angle can change the entire mood of a scene.

• Autonomous & Proactive: You can take a sequence and identify where it needs “cinematic love” without constant oversight.
• Adaptable: You thrive in a supervised pipeline and enjoy the process of iterating based on creative feedback.
• Collaborative: You understand that a feature film is a giant puzzle, and you work seamlessly with other departments to ensure visual continuity.

The Project: This is a rare opportunity to work on a stylized feature film where Unreal Engine is the primary engine of creation, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in real-time animation.

The Location: Our studio is located in Montpellier, a city famous for its sun, vibrant culture, and growing status as a global hub for video games and animation. For those working remotely, we offer a robust infrastructure to keep you integrated into the team.

Contract Type: This is a customary fixed-term contract (intermittent) typical of the French animation industry, providing a structured yet flexible professional engagement.

Dwarf is where technology meets soul. We pride ourselves on being an innovation-driven studio that doesn’t just follow industry trends—we set them. By merging high-end tech with artistic excellence, we produce series and features that captivate global audiences. Join us in Montpellier and help us define the future of real-time animation.