McKenna Harris

Last updated

McKenna Harris
Born
McKenna Jean Harris

Valencia, California
Alma mater CalArts [1]
Occupations
  • Film director
  • Screenwriter
  • Storyboard artist
  • Executive producer
Years active2015−present
Employers

McKenna Harris is an American film director, screenwriter, storyboard artist, and executive producer. They are best known for their work at Pixar, including directing the short film Ciao Alberto (2021) and the upcoming feature film Toy Story 5 (2026).

Contents

Early life

Harris was born in Valencia, California. [1] By 2014, they graduated from CalArts. [1]

Career

In 2015, they began their career as a character designer on the Cartoon Network series We Bare Bears (2015–16). [1] In 2016, they joined Walt Disney Animation Studios as a storyboard artist where they worked on Ralph Breaks the Internet (2018), Frozen 2 (2019), and Raya and the Last Dragon (2021). [2] [3] In 2021, they transitioned to Pixar Animation Studios where they served as a storyboard artist on Luca (2021), directed and wrote the short film Ciao Alberto (2021), and executive produced Elemental (2023). [4] [5] In August 2024, they were announced to be making their feature directorial debut with Toy Story 5 (2026), alongside Andrew Stanton. [6] [7]

Filmography

Feature films

YearTitle Director Story Artist OtherNotes/Ref(s)
2018 Ralph Breaks the Internet NoYesNo [2] [3]
2019 Frozen 2 NoApprenticeNo
2021 Raya and the Last Dragon NoYesNo [2] [3]
Luca NoYesNo [2] [3]
2023 Elemental NoNoYesExecutive producer [5]
2024 Inside Out 2 NoStory SupervisorNo
2025 Elio NoNoYesPixar Senior Creative Team
2026 Toy Story 5 †Co-directorNoNoIn production [6]

Short films

YearTitle Director Writer OtherNotes/Ref(s)
2021 Twenty Something NoNoYesStory trust
Nona NoNoYesSpecial Thanks
Ciao Alberto YesYesNo [4]

Television

YearTitleNotes/Ref(s)
2015–16 We Bare Bears Character Designer; 41 episodes [1]
2024 Dream Productions Pixar Senior Creative Team

Accolades

Accolades received by McKenna Harris
AwardDateCategoryNominated workResultRef(s)
Children's and Family Emmy Awards December 10, 2022 Outstanding Short Form Program Ciao Alberto Nominated [8]
Outstanding Directing for an Animated ProgramNominated

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 McDonnell, Chris (August 25, 2015). "Artist of the Day: McKenna Harris". Cartoon Brew. Retrieved April 26, 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "McKenna Harris". Mubi. Retrieved April 26, 2025.
  3. 1 2 3 4 writeforanimation (March 5, 2024). "McKenna Harris (@kennnajean) is a story artist who has lent her talents to films such as "Raya and the Last Dragon"🐲 "Ralph Breaks the Internet"🌐 and Pixar's "Luca"🐟 She recently wrote and directed the Pixar short film "Ciao Alberto"🌊. We are excited to see what she creates next! #McKennaHarris #CiaoAlberto #WriteForAnimation" . Retrieved April 26, 2025.
  4. 1 2 Fuster, Jeremy (August 9, 2024). "'Toy Story 5': Andrew Stanton to Write, Direct Pixar Sequel". TheWrap . Retrieved April 26, 2025.
  5. 1 2 Garfinkle, Maddie; Pomarico, Nicole (April 19, 2025). "Toy Story 5: All About the Upcoming Film (and the Unexpected Character It Will Focus On!)". People. Retrieved April 26, 2025.
  6. 1 2 Wilding, Josh (August 10, 2024). "Disney And Pixar Share First Look At Toy Story 5, Incredibles 3, Inside Out Spin-Off, Frozen 3 And More At D23". Comic Book Movie. Retrieved April 26, 2025.
  7. ↑ kennnajean (August 10, 2024). "YEEE-HAW! i'm co-directing toy story 5, and we've been having the best time with the best team ever! 🤠⭐️ so happy to be working with Andrew Stanton and my girl @jesschoismyth on this sweet, sweet movie" . Retrieved April 26, 2025.
  8. ↑ "2022 CAFE Nominees (ALL) - The Emmys". Emmy Awards . November 1, 2022. Archived from the original on February 10, 2023. Retrieved April 26, 2025.
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