The former Bad Robot, Sony Pictures and Columbia exec boasts extensive experience in live action and animated franchise titles, including ‘Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs,’ ‘Hotel Transylvania,’ ‘The Smurfs,’ and more.
AWN has confirmed that Hanna Minghella has joined Netflix as head of feature animation and live-action family film. Sharon Taylor, former CEO of Animal Logic, returns to Netflix to lead production on feature animation. Current animation head Karen Tolvier (Guillermo Del Toro’s Pinocchio, Nimona) will depart, as well as Traci Balthazor.
Most recently the president of motion pictures at Bad Robot across live action, animation, and documentary features, Minghella will now report to Netflix’s chairman of film operation, Dan Lin.
“Hannah brings her unique skill set and experience to this role, along with strong relationships with top filmmakers, said Lin. “As a studio executive and producer, Hannah has overseen many franchise films across animation and live-action. I believe her expertise will deepen our efforts to bring variety and quality to both our animation and live action family film slate.”
Minghella released the BAFTA and Academy Award-winning animated short film The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse for the BBC and Apple in 2023. Prior to her time at Bad Robot, the exec served at Sony Pictures and Columbia for nearly 15 years, where she worked on a wide slate of both live action and animated titles including Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, Hotel Transylvania, The Smurfs, The Amazing Spider-Man, and many more.
“I am thrilled to be joining Netflix and the incredibly talented team working on feature animation and live-action family film,” said Minghella. “In such a short time, the studio has already distinguished itself within the animation community as a home for bold and original voices. I am so grateful to Bela and Dan for the opportunity to build on that foundation and collaborate on a dynamic slate of both animation and live-action movies. I have loved my time at Bad Robot with JJ Abrams, Katie McGrath and my wonderful colleagues there.”
Dan Sarto is Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network.
