#Annapurna Animation Expands With ‘Nimona’ Team; Announces Pair of Upcoming Features

Following the release of its first animated feature, Nimona, Annapurna Animation has brought on director Nick Bruno and producer Julie Zackary to join their creative leadership team while expanding its upcoming feature slate to include an adaptation of video game Stray, along with Foo, an original title from Ice Age helmer and Blue Sky co-founder Chris Wedge.

Based on ND Stevenson’s graphic novel of the same name, Nimona began its life at Blue Sky, and moved to Annapurna after Disney shut down the production and studio following its acquisition of Fox, which owned the animation umbrella. Netflix released the well-received Nimona in June.

Bruno — a Blue Sky alum, who made his directorial debut with Spies in Disguise — is already developing and directing an untitled original feature for the studio, while developing additional originals. Zackary is joining the studio as head of animation production, having previously served as vp of production at Blue Sky and early vp of production management at Sony Pictures Imageworks. Earlier this year, Blue Sky alum Erica Pulcini was named creative executive for Annapurna Animation.

Stray, developed by BlueTwelve Studio and published by Annapurna Interactive, follows the adventures of a stray cat. In addition to Stray, plans call for adaptations of additional titles from the Annapurna Interactive library.

The studio didn’t announce details about Wedge’s Foo. While at Blue Sky, Wedge won an Oscar for the moving animated short Bunny.

Annapurna launched its animation division last December, led by Robert Baird and Andrew Millstein.