Simon Otto is a distinguished Swiss film director and animator, renowned for his significant contributions to the animation industry, particularly during his tenure at DreamWorks Animation. He began his professional journey in 1997 as a traditional character animator on the groundbreaking 2D animated feature, The Prince of Egypt. Over the next 21 years, Otto became a pivotal figure in the studio, excelling in both 2D and CG animation projects. His expertise and creativity shone brightly as he took on the role of Head of Character Animation for the acclaimed How to Train Your Dragon trilogy, where he was instrumental in shaping the characters’ designs and personalities, including the beloved Toothless and Lightfury.
Otto’s innovative approach to animation earned him recognition within the industry, culminating in the prestigious Visual Effects Society Award for Outstanding Visual Effects in an Animated Feature in 2011. His contributions extended beyond character animation; he played a key role in the development of Premo, an animation software that garnered an Academy Award for Technical Achievement, showcasing his commitment to advancing the field of animation.
In addition to his animation work, Otto is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of animators. In 2016, he co-founded the Lucerne Master Academy of Animation in Switzerland, where industry veterans mentor aspiring talents through intensive summer courses. This initiative reflects his passion for education and his desire to give back to the animation community.
After leaving DreamWorks Animation in 2019, Otto transitioned to independent directing, with his first project being the episode ‘The Tall Grass’ for Netflix’s Love, Death & Robots Season 2. He continues to make waves in the industry, recently announced as the director of That Christmas, based on Richard Curtis’s book, further solidifying his status as a leading figure in animation.
