Sheffield, U.K.-based animation studio Red Star, which is producing animation for the upcoming Terry Pratchett adaptation The Amazing Maurice (pictured at top), has lost co-founder Jan Rogowski after he passed away suddenly on April 6. He was 41 years old.

Rogowski’s untimely death leaves an impossible to fill hole at Red Star. For the time being, the company has temporarily named cg supervisor Haris Ahmed as head of production, with Ben Smith assuming the role of company director.
Rogowski was with Red Star from the beginning, co-founding the company with Ben Smith in 2004. The pair regularly produced animated content for visitor attractions such as theme parks and museums, with several of the label’s 4d titles playing in hundreds of venues around the world, including The Lost World and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. In 2019, Rogowski and Red Star co-produced their first animated feature Stardog and Turbocat.