Mark Osborne is an accomplished American film director, producer, screenwriter, and animator, renowned for his significant contributions to the animation industry. He gained widespread recognition for co-directing the animated blockbuster Kung Fu Panda (2008), which was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature and grossed over $630 million worldwide. This film marked Osborne’s first major studio project and showcased his ability to blend humor with heartfelt storytelling, earning him an Annie Award for Directing in an Animated Feature Production alongside co-director John Stevenson.

Prior to Kung Fu Panda, Osborne directed the award-winning stop-motion animated short film More (1998), which was notable for being the first IMAX animation film nominated for an Academy Award. More received accolades at over 150 film festivals, including the Special Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival and the Grand Prize at ResFest. His early work, including his thesis film Greener, won numerous awards and was screened at more than 40 film festivals, establishing him as a talented animator and storyteller.

Osborne’s versatility extends beyond feature films; he has directed live-action sequences for the beloved animated series SpongeBob SquarePants, collaborating with its creator Stephen Hillenburg. His independent feature film Dropping Out premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2000, further showcasing his diverse filmmaking skills.

In recent years, Osborne has continued to innovate in animation, directing The Little Prince (2015) and working on adaptations of popular comic books, including Bone and Escape from Hat. His collaboration with Coldplay on the Mylo Xyloto concept album highlights his ability to merge storytelling with music, demonstrating his multifaceted talent in the creative arts.