Carlos Saldanha Speaking Fee: $50,000 to $75,000

Carlos Saldanha is a Brazilian-American filmmaker renowned for his work in animated cinema. Born in Rio de Janeiro on January 24, 1965, he developed an early passion for art and storytelling. Initially pursuing a degree in computer science, Saldanha shifted his focus to animation after discovering the transformative potential of computer-generated imagery. In 1991, he moved to New York City to attend the School of Visual Arts, where he earned a Master of Fine Arts in Computer Art in 1993. During his time there, he created award-winning short films and met Chris Wedge, who would become his collaborator and mentor. In 1993, Saldanha joined Blue Sky Studios, a fledgling animation company co-founded by Wedge. He quickly became a key creative force at the studio, contributing to various projects. His directorial debut came with the 2002 film Ice Age, which was a commercial success and earned an Academy Award nomination. Saldanha continued to build on this success, directing Ice Age: The Meltdown (2006) and Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (2009), both of which were major box office hits. Seeking to explore new creative avenues, he directed Rio (2011), a vibrant celebration of his Brazilian heritage, followed by its sequel Rio 2 (2014). Beyond his work at Blue Sky, Saldanha has been involved in various projects. He signed a five-year exclusive deal with 20th Century Fox in 2012 to develop animated and live-action projects, leading to the creation of BottleCap Productions. In 2017, he directed Ferdinand, an adaptation of the classic children's book, which earned him another Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Feature. After the closure of Blue Sky Studios in 2021, Saldanha continued his work with 20th Century Animation and Sony Pictures Entertainment, directing Harold and the Purple Crayon (2024), based on the beloved children's book. Throughout his career, Carlos Saldanha has been recognized for his contributions to the animation industry. He was the first Brazilian to receive multiple Academy Award nominations and has been honored with awards such as the CinemaCon International Filmmaker of the Year Award. His work is celebrated for its emotional depth, cultural authenticity, and innovative animation techniques, making him a prominent figure in contemporary animated filmmaking.