Kris Pearn

Kris Pearn is a Canadian animator, storyboard artist, writer, and director. He has co-directed the film Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 and co-wrote and directed The Willoughbys (2020).

Early life and education

Pearn was born in Ontario, Canada, where his family owned a small donkey farm. Pearn attended the Strathroy District Collegiate Institute and Sheridan College..

Career Pearn's storyboarding for Open Season (2006) earned him an Annie nomination for "Storyboarding in an Animated Feature Production".

Pearn and Cody Cameron co-directed Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 (2013), the first director credit for each. The duo took over from directing team Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, announced as directors in December 2011. The voices of Sentinel Peter and Labcoat Jenny were provided by Pearn. The duo received a nomination for Satellite Award for Best Animated or Mixed Media Feature.

Pearn's storyboard work for Arthur Christmas (2011) earned him an Annie Award nomination for "Storyboarding in a Feature Production". He was also the voice of one of the elves in the film.

Pearn returned to the Open Season film series, working on the story for Open Season: Scared Silly (2015). In 2017, he wrote the animated television film The Great Northern Candy Drop.

Pearn wrote and directed The Willoughbys (2020), an animated comedy released on Netflix. Pearn also developed the story, and co-wrote the screenplay with Mark Stanleigh. He was brought onto the production four years before its release,

He has taught Character Design at Sheridan College in Oakville, Ontario. Away from animation, Pearn has illustrated the book Project Superhero, written by E. Paul Zehr, a professor of kinesiology and neuroscience. The two met at TEDx Edmonton 2012 where Zehr was giving a talk on "the superhero in you".

Filmography

Accolades Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) Result Annie Awards February 11, 2007 Storyboarding in an Animated Feature Production Open Season Critics' Choice Super Awards January 10, 2021 Best Animated Movie The Willoughbys Satellite Awards February 23, 2014 Best Animated or Mixed Media Feature Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2