Posted in: Disney, Movies | Tagged: Carlos Lopez Estrada, Josie Trinidad, Marc Smith, Suzi Yoonessi, Walt Disney Animation Studios

Four Directors Tapped To Helm Disney Animation Projects

It was reported on Tuesday that four directors were given the responsibility of directing future projects for Walt Disney Animation Studios.

Carlos Lopez Estrada and Suzi Yoonessi will be joining Disney veterans Josie Trinidad and Marc Smith in developing films for theatrical release. The move is great for those who are pushing for inclusion and diversity in hiring.

The following statement from Chief Creative Officer Jennifer Lee was first reported by Variety:

"We aim to have Walt Disney Animation Studios serve as the premiere home for filmmakers interested in telling engaging stories within the limitless animation medium," Lee, who wrote and directed "Frozen" and its forthcoming sequel, said in a statement. "Carlos and Suzi are two incredible, inventive filmmakers who have both received acclaim for their work. Josie and Marc, master, lead story artists, have been instrumental in shaping such films as 'Zootopia' and 'Frozen 2.' We are so thrilled to have these four talented artists join our 96-year-old studio as directors and help us build the stories of our future — adventures in completely original worlds, stories from around the globe, and the next generation of musicals."

Estrada hit the map last year with Sundance opener Blindspotting. The film, written by and starring Daveed Diggs and Rafael Casal, earned Estrada a Directors Guild Award nomination for first-time directing. Recently, he directed an episode of Legion on FX.

Yoonessi directed Unlovable, which premiered at SXSW in 2018. A few weeks later, she was in Chicago for the world premiere of Daphne & Velma, A Scooby-Doo prequel.

Trinidad has been working for Walt Disney Animation Studios since 2004. Credits include Ralph Breaks the Internet, Zootopia, Tangled, and The Princess and the Frog.

Smith has been working for Disney since 1993. Originally working an intern, he's climbed up the ranks–most recently serving as the story editor for the upcoming Frozen 2. Other credits include Treasure Planet, Tangled, Big Hero 6, and Zootopia.

No release dates have been set but the future looks promising for Disney Animation.

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