DHX Media Appoints Illumination Vet to Oversee Animation Studio

DHX Media has brought on veteran animation industry executive Amir Nasrabadi for the newly created role of executive VP and general manager of its Vancouver animation studio, effective June 10.

In the new position, Nasrabadi will oversee all animation production at the studio, working closely with DHX’s creative, content and brands teams. Nasrabadi will report to the company’s president, Josh Scherba.

Nasrabadi has over 20 years of experience in the industry, with his most recent position being executive VP of finance and operations for Illumination Entertainment, which produced Despicable Me, Minions, The Grinch and Sing, among others. Prior to working at Illumination, he served as senior VP of production at Paramount Animation and spent 15 years at The Walt Disney Studios, where he was VP of finance and operations for DisneyToon Studios.

He also launched and ran Pixar Canada in Vancouver in 2009, a role in which he oversaw all production and represented the Pixar brand to the creative community, local and provincial government and industry leaders.

Scherba said: “As a well-known and respected figure in the animation community, who brings a wealth of industry experience, Amir is an ideal executive to lead the talented team at our Vancouver animation studio. We believe Amir’s history as head of Pixar Canada in Vancouver, as well as his time in management with Illumination, Paramount and Disney will deliver tremendous value to our business. We couldn’t be more delighted that Amir is coming back to Vancouver, and we look forward to welcoming him to the DHX Media team.”

Nasrabadi added: “Vancouver is such a fantastic city for animation, and I am thrilled to be joining DHX Media to be part of the exciting work being done at their world-class studio. I hear the studio is a dog-friendly workspace as well, so my mini-dachshund Dot will fit right in!”