Jean Image
Hungarian-French director, script writer and producer of animated films
About Jean Image
Lived 1910 – 1989 (aged 79). Jean Image was a Hungarian and French film director, screenwriter, animator, poster artist, director and producer.
Imre Hajdú (; 26 January 1911 – 21 October 1989) better known by his stage name Jean Image was a Hungarian-French director, script writer and producer of French animation films.
His stage name, "Image" is based upon the French pronunciation of "Im-Haj", the first syllables of his name.
In 1959, he participated in the creation of Annecy International Animated Film Festival.
Jean Image was also the author of a book on animation titled Le Dessin animé : initiation à la technique (lit. Animation film: A technical introduction) (1979).
Career He emigrated to France in 1932 where he worked on films and eventually produced several shorts on his own. After the war, influenced by the classic style of Walt Disney's films, he became the first French producer of the full-length animated film (Johnny the Giant Killer). In 1948, he founded the Films Jean Image company and in 1960 he devoted himself to producing television cartoon series. Two of these series (Kiri le Clown and Joe), have become very popular.
Personal life His first wife was Eraine Image (born Germaine Suzanne Charvot). He was later married to France Image, with whom he co-wrote his later movies and series.
Filmography Film Year Film Director Producer Notes 1950 Johnny the Giant Killer Debut feature film 1953 1970 Aladin et la lampe merveilleuse 1973 Joe the Little Boom Boom (Joe petit boum-boum) 1979 Little Orbit the Astrodog and the Screechers from Outer Space (Pluk, naufragé de l'espace) Les Fabuleuses Aventures du légendaire baron de Münchhausen 1984 Le Secret des sélénites
Short-film Year Film Director Producer Notes 1944 Les Noirs jouent et gagnent la révolte des notes short-film1946 Rhapsodie de Saturne Short-film 1948 Ballade Atomique Short-film 1949 Monsieur Tout-le-Monde Short-film 1954 La Cigale et la fourmi short-film 1955 Monsieur Victor ou La Machine à explorer le temps Short-film 1956 Le Loup et l'agneau Short-film Un grain de bon sens Short-filmL'Aventure du Père Noël Short-film 1958 La Petite reine Short-film 1974 Le Crayon magique Short-film
Television Joe the Little Boom Boom (TV series, 1960 – 1963) Joë chez les fourmis (1962) La Fontaine des trois soldats, TV series of 26 episodes (1963) Joë au royaume des mouches (1964) Picolo et Piccolette (1964) Kiri le clown (1966) Patatomanie (1970) Au clair de lune (1971–1972) Arago X-001 (1972–1973) Le Crayon magique (1973) Les Rêves de Jeannot (series, 1985–1986)
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Important facts
People in Jean Image's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Jean Image's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Jean Image?
Hungarian-French director, script writer and producer of animated films (1911-1989)
When was Jean Image born?
Jean Image was born on 26 January 1910 in Budapest.
When did Jean Image die?
Jean Image died on 25 October 1989 in Paris.
What was Jean Image's occupation?
Jean Image was a film director, screenwriter, animator, poster artist, director and producer.
What nationality was Jean Image?
Jean Image was Hungarian and French.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Jean Image. https://biography.guide/jean-image/
MLA: "Jean Image." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/jean-image/.
Chicago: "Jean Image." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/jean-image/.
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