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ASIFA-Hollywood Expands Advisory Board with Netflix Animation Leader Hannah Minghella and Kuku Studios CEO Alex Woo
Burbank, California—on Monday, ASIFA‑Hollywood’s Board of Directors announced a bold expansion of its advisory lineup, adding Netflix Animation chief Hannah Minghella and Kuku Studios CEO Alex Woo to the 16‑member board. The appointment, made in the wake of the chapter’s 2025 founding, signals a deliberate push to tighten the ties that link the animation community with the broader entertainment landscape.
ASIFA‑Hollywood, the largest chapter of the International Animated Film Association, has long championed the art of animation. Its portfolio includes the Animation Archive, Animation Aid Foundation, Animation Educators’ Forum, film preservation projects, open‑source initiatives, special events, screenings, and the annual Annie Awards. The chapter also sponsors several film festivals worldwide and operates a virtual archive, museum, library, and research facility, according to its own website.
Minghella commands Netflix Animation Studios’ Feature Animation and Family Films division, overseeing a sizable slate of projects in development, production, and acquisition across the studio’s three facilities in Burbank, Sydney, and Vancouver. Her production credits feature the Oscar‑winning short The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse and the two‑time Oscar‑winning feature KPop Demon Hunters. She is also attached to upcoming tentpoles such as Steps and Charlie vs. the Chocolate Factory.
Woo, the CEO of Kuku Studios, brings a different flavor of experience. The independent studio produced Netflix’s feature In Your Dreams and the Emmy‑winning children’s series Go! Go! Cory Carson. Before founding Kuku, Woo worked as a story artist and lead at Pixar on films including Ratatouille, Wall‑e, and Finding Dory. He also served on the AnimAID steering committee, which raised over $700,000 to support animation professionals impacted by the California wildfires. According to Kuku’s website, Woo directs the company’s creative vision while overseeing production operations.
Executive Director Aubry Mintz welcomed the new appointments, saying the additions would “strengthen connections between live‑action and animation.” She added that “Hannah’s experience as a producer in both live‑action and animation spaces will help forge more ties between the two communities,” and that “Alex will bring fresh, new ideas to the Advisory Board.”
The Advisory Board now comprises 16 members, including industry luminaries such as Brenda Chapman, Margie Cohn, Pete Docter, Dave Filoni, Matt Groening, Jorge R. Gutierrez, Phil Lord, Chris Miller, Tomm Moore, John Musker, Ramsey Naito, Chris Prynoski, Sandy Rabins, Peter Ramsey, Linda Simensky, and Tom Sito. The board convenes twice a year to review progress, shape strategic goals, and support the organization’s mission to preserve and promote animation heritage.
With Minghella and Woo on board, ASIFA‑Hollywood expands its advisory expertise to encompass leaders from major streaming studios and independent animation companies alike. The organization will continue to host its annual Annie Awards, maintain the Animation Archive, and support educational and preservation programs. The new members are slated to participate in the upcoming board meetings scheduled for September and December, where they will review the organization’s strategic roadmap and forthcoming initiatives.
ASIFA‑Hollywood, the largest chapter of the International Animated Film Association, has long championed the art of animation. Its portfolio includes the Animation Archive, Animation Aid Foundation, Animation Educators’ Forum, film preservation projects, open‑source initiatives, special events, screenings, and the annual Annie Awards. The chapter also sponsors several film festivals worldwide and operates a virtual archive, museum, library, and research facility, according to its own website.
Minghella commands Netflix Animation Studios’ Feature Animation and Family Films division, overseeing a sizable slate of projects in development, production, and acquisition across the studio’s three facilities in Burbank, Sydney, and Vancouver. Her production credits feature the Oscar‑winning short The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse and the two‑time Oscar‑winning feature KPop Demon Hunters. She is also attached to upcoming tentpoles such as Steps and Charlie vs. the Chocolate Factory.
Woo, the CEO of Kuku Studios, brings a different flavor of experience. The independent studio produced Netflix’s feature In Your Dreams and the Emmy‑winning children’s series Go! Go! Cory Carson. Before founding Kuku, Woo worked as a story artist and lead at Pixar on films including Ratatouille, Wall‑e, and Finding Dory. He also served on the AnimAID steering committee, which raised over $700,000 to support animation professionals impacted by the California wildfires. According to Kuku’s website, Woo directs the company’s creative vision while overseeing production operations.
Executive Director Aubry Mintz welcomed the new appointments, saying the additions would “strengthen connections between live‑action and animation.” She added that “Hannah’s experience as a producer in both live‑action and animation spaces will help forge more ties between the two communities,” and that “Alex will bring fresh, new ideas to the Advisory Board.”
The Advisory Board now comprises 16 members, including industry luminaries such as Brenda Chapman, Margie Cohn, Pete Docter, Dave Filoni, Matt Groening, Jorge R. Gutierrez, Phil Lord, Chris Miller, Tomm Moore, John Musker, Ramsey Naito, Chris Prynoski, Sandy Rabins, Peter Ramsey, Linda Simensky, and Tom Sito. The board convenes twice a year to review progress, shape strategic goals, and support the organization’s mission to preserve and promote animation heritage.
With Minghella and Woo on board, ASIFA‑Hollywood expands its advisory expertise to encompass leaders from major streaming studios and independent animation companies alike. The organization will continue to host its annual Annie Awards, maintain the Animation Archive, and support educational and preservation programs. The new members are slated to participate in the upcoming board meetings scheduled for September and December, where they will review the organization’s strategic roadmap and forthcoming initiatives.
