Hannah Minghella has been named head of Netflix Animation Studios as part of the streaming giant’s efforts to streamline animation production overall.
Minghella will join Netflix in 2024 as head of animated feature and live-action family films, and will now focus solely on animation. In her new role, she will oversee film productions including “Kpop Demon Hunters 2,” “Ray Gun” and “The Mitchells vs. The Machines 2,” as well as run the studio’s three animation facilities in Burbank, Vancouver and Sydney, which employ more than 1,000 people. Minghella will also focus on building franchises across the business, including live events and consumer products.
Amid the transition, Minghella will continue to oversee ongoing live-action family projects, including Greta Gerwig’s adaptation of The Chronicles of Narnia and Eloise. Otherwise, Netflix’s live-action family division will be run by vice president of film Kira Goldberg, who will work closely with Dan Lin, the streamer’s president of film. Goldberg has been working at Netflix since 2018 and is currently responsible for thrillers, dramas and faith-based films such as “Apex,” “Remarkably Bright Creatures,” and “The Life List.”
Netflix’s biggest success in animation to date has been “Kpop Demon Hunters,” a fantasy adventure about a fictional K-pop girl group who use music to protect the world from demons. It became a full-fledged phenomenon and currently ranks as the streamer’s most popular film of all time. “KPop Demon Hunters” also became a hit at the box office when Netflix brought a sing-along version to theaters at a fan event last fall. Naturally, a sequel is in the works, with filmmakers Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans returning to direct and write the sequel musical.
