Oscar-nominated Filipino animator-director Ronnie del Carmen sets off to Netflix

Children and even those kids-at-heart adored Pixar’s animated film Inside Out. It’s easy to understand why. This movie garnered mind-blowing animation paired with inventive storytelling. But, did you know that a Filipino is one of the creative minds behind this beloved movie? Ronnie del Carmen was the co-director and screenwriter of said animated movie.

Ronnie del Carmen spends three decades in storytelling through animated movies

Ronnie del Carmen also worked on popular animated films. Of course, this includes Finding Nemo, Ratatouille, WALL-E, and Up. This creative genius already had thirty experience as an animation writer, story artist, story supervisor, and director. Aside from that, he also made a name in several big companies. Like, Warner Brothers, Pixar, and Dreamworks.

However, Cartoon Brew said that del Carmen is moving to Netflix as he signed an exclusive deal. Soon, he’ll directing films and series showcasing Philippine lore and mythology! Born in Cavite, this creative has always dreamt of making Filipino stories receive international recognition.

“My story starts in a group of islands, in a region that I’ve now traveled back to many times over. Each time I wish I could stay and relearn what I missed… So on this new journey, I go where these stories will thrive. I carried these tales to Netflix, and when they heard my story they asked me to tell it here.”

“Our lives are in our movies…”

Del Carmen finished his degree at the University of Santo Tomas. Then, he became a painter on the set of Francis Ford Coppola’s Apocalypse Now. Of course, he continued to wok is way up. He later became a storyboard artist and character designer on Warner Brothers’ Batman: The Animated Series.

Having approached storytelling in animation from every angle, del Carmen tells a new story below: that of his own path. He speaks about the milestones in his career and the lessons he learned along the way.

“This is what we are doomed to be: to have what we are going through in life show up in what we make. No matter what we’re making, it can feature toys coming to life, invisible guardians in our heads, or what-have-you—but at the heart of it is the story that we are living through. Our lives are in our movies.”

We’re certainly looking forward to the next masterpiece of this award-winning director. Like him, we’re hoping that the stories can inspire change in our society. May these films make us more understanding and emphatic with each other.