Our Story
Our Studio
Choc Chip Animation Studios is an indie animation studio based in Melbourne, Australia. The studio was founded in 2020 by two sisters, Nirali and Anokhi Somaia, who have extensive experience working in the animation and business sectors.
The studio focuses on traditional 2D animation and storytelling. Our core value revolves around “creating quirky stories with heart.” There is nothing we love more than creating stories, worlds, and characters that entertain and take audiences on a journey full of heart, laughter, and quirkiness.
Choc Chip Animation operates in both developing our own original IP slate, as well as service work for external clients. We are currently in production for our original series, ‘The Art Of Murder’ - a pop culture parody, murder mystery musical!
We have the capability to take a production from concept to completion, and love collaborating with clients to bring their projects to life. In house, we are able to service all pre-production and production stages from script through to compositing. We also have key partners in post production facilities with whom we regularly collaborate.
Our Inspiration
Ever wonder why our logo is two dogs instead of chocolate chip cookies? Meet the inspirations and heart of our studio - our dogs Choc (blue collar) and Chip (red collar)! Choc and Chip have always been the inspiration behind our work long before the studio was founded.
Born in 2005, Choc and Chip are brothers from the same litter and were inseparable from the minute they were born. Chip is the cheeky one, wanting to pack the maximum amount of fun into each day and always looking for the next mischievous adventure. Chip taught everyone around him how to live life to fullest. He gave our lives a lot of quirk! Choc is the cuddly one, who wants to befriend everyone he meets. His favourite hobbies include cuddling up inside under a blanket, teddy bear picnics, or really any occasion where food is present. Choc taught everyone how to love to the fullest. He gave our lives a lot of heart! They are the inspiration behind our studio motto - ‘creating quirky stories with heart’.
Sadly, Choc and Chip both passed away from bone cancer - Chip in 2016, and Choc in 2020. Despite all the hard times they went through, they never lost their resilience, spark and love of life. While they have left a big hole in the lives of everyone who knew them, they have also left a lifetime of memories and stories to be told. Choc and Chip will always be the heart of our studio, and we hope to spread all the love, heart, and quirkiness they brought to our lives through the characters and stories we tell.
Our Co-Founders
Choc Chip Animation Studios was co-founded by two sisters, Nirali and Anokhi Somaia.
Nirali Somaia is one of the Co-Founder of Choc Chip Animation Studios, and director on The Art of Murder.
Nirali’s credits include animating on shows such as Nickelodeon’s Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Glitch Techs, and Sesame Street. She was also a Lead Animator for Michael Fiore Films’ feature documentary ‘Floyd Norman: An Animated Life’, which follows the life of Disney Legend Floyd Norman.
Nirali has spoken on panels at San Diego Comic Con, Melbourne International Animation Festival, Oz Comic Con and CTN Animation Expo in Los Angeles.
Prior to this, Nirali created two short films which garnered success in the international festival circuit and received multiple awards. One of these films was also featured as part of an article in the New York Times and picked up for distribution via Facets Kids. Nirali was also included in the AOM Film Festival book ‘Top 100 Indie Filmmakers.’
Anokhi Somaia is the Co-Founder of Choc Chip Animation Studios and Producer on The Art of Murder.
Anokhi comes from a marketing and finance background, and is the youngest graduate of the acclaimed Screen Business Masters degree at AFTRS, one of the top film schools in Australia. She is also a graduate of the University of Melbourne’s Bachelor of Commerce degree.
Anokhi runs the business end of the studio and brings experience from a wide range of industries. Prior to starting the studio, Anokhi had extensive experience working as the Management Team Co-ordinator at Simba Global, one of the largest textile companies in the southern hemisphere. Prior to this, she was trained in the Business Operations Management team at Telstra, one of the largest Telco’s in Australia.
