Meet Domee Shi: The Ingenious Mind Behind Pixar's Turning Red

“Just relax a little bit, and don't be afraid to have fun

and to try things and don't take everything too seriously.

Not everything is life and death.”

~ Domee Shi

Domee Shi should be recognized as a premier digital creator in addition to being Pixar Animation Studios’ female filmmaker of many firsts! The Chinese-Canadian writer-director and animator has blessed the world with so many iconic and wholesome animation moments for fans of all ages! Inspired by the innovative mind of Studio Ghibli’s Hayao Miyazaki, and early Disney animators, Shi designed her craft around animated artistry that’s quirky, value-oriented, and at times a bit outlandish captivating!

The Sheridan College alumn maintains a thrilling 10+ year career with the historic Pixar Animation Studios with one of her most powerful and recent works- Disney’s Turning Red(2022) crafting a refreshing take on a coming of age tale! Some of her other works include the groundbreaking animated short, Bao(2018), an 8-minute tale of a steamed bun come to life shocking the woman preparing what she thought was an average meal. Domee Shi has a history of crafting somewhat outlandish stories, animations, and even comics that adhere to her own rules around the genres of fantasy and magical realism. Some of her more well-known works comprise story artists for Inside Out (2015) and The Good Dinosaur(2015). And some of her older pieces range from the webcomic My Food Fantasies(2014) in addition to storyboarding for various projects while at Sheridan College.

Telling an assortment of animated stories and taking on multiple roles as the director, storyboarder, animator, and screenwriter, Domee Shi expands the art of storytelling with unconventional humor and narrative styles that don’t solely revolve around themes of romantic love, but rather the intricacies of youth growing up and interpersonal relationships and raw humanness. The lighthearted nature of her work still resonates with audiences of all ages, striking essential chords when it comes to comprehending the chaos and nostalgia of growing up.

Breaking in headlines most recently, Domee Shi along with filmmaker Lindsey Collins has been promoted to executive leadership roles as vice president of creative and senior vice president of development both at Pixar, respectively.

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CreatorSwathi ReddyOctober 6, 2022

Meet Domee Shi: The Ingenious Mind Behind Pixar's Turning Red

Breaking in headlines most recently, Domee Shi along with filmmaker Lindsey Collins has been promoted to executive leadership roles as vice president of creative and senior vice president of development both at Pixar, respectively.

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