Sharon Morrill has been promoted to president DisneyToon Studios, and will continue to report to Walt Disney Feature Animation president David Stainton.
In her capacity, Morrill will still oversee all aspects of development and production for the divisions burgeoning line of Disney Video Premiere films and DisneyToon theatrical releases. Additionally, she will continue to be responsible for the divisions day-to-day activities, including synergy, finance, human resources, technology, publicity and legal affairs.
Sharon is one of the most talented executives Ive had the pleasure to work with, said Stainton in making the announcement. She has a great eye for material, is an incredible storyteller and has a keen understanding of the family market place. Sharon has been the driving force in developing the market for animated films made exclusively for the home entertainment division. I am proud to acknowledge her contributions with this promotion.
Morrill most recently served as evp DisneyToon Studios. Her upcoming projects include MULAN 2, 3 MUSKETEERS (the first full-length feature with Mickey, Donald and Goofy coming Aug. 17, 2004) and MICKEYS TWICE UPON A CHRISTMAS (a holiday release marking the first time Mickey and the gang will appear in CG animation. Currently, she and her team have more than 40 projects in various stages of development.
In 1994, Morrill supervised the launch of the first Disney Video Premiere with THE RETURN OF JAFAR, the sequel to ALADDIN. Under her leadership, Disney Video Premieres have become a thriving business. Morrill has overseen such successful video/ DVD releases as the critically acclaimed THE LION KING 1 1/2 (the best selling DVD of the year), 101 DALMATIANS II: PATCHS LONDON ADVENTURE, LADY AND THE TRAMP II: SCAMPS ADVENTURE, LITTLE MERMAID II: RETURN TO THE SEA, SPRINGTIME WITH ROO, as well as the videos of MICKEYS ONCE UPON A CHRISTMAS, THE LION KING II: SIMBAS PRIDE, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: THE ENCHANTED CHRISTMAS and others.
The theatrical releases Morrill oversaw include PIGLETS BIG MOVIE, THE JUNGLE BOOK 2, A GOOFY MOVIE, THE TIGGER MOVIE and RETURN TO NEVERLAND.
Morrill joined Walt Disney Television Animation in 1993 as director of specials, where she oversaw animated primetime half-hour specials. She was promoted to vp, specials and direct-to-video in 1995, expanding her responsibilities to feature-length projects. She was promoted to svp in summer 1997 and then to evp in spring 1998. In January 2003, Walt Disney Television Animation was split with Morrill taking over the newly-formed division, DisneyToon Studios.
Prior to beginning her career in animation, Morrill accrued a wealth of feature film experience as vp, development of Steel Pictures at Disney and Touchstone; vp, production for Kings Road Ent.; vp of development of The Solofilm Co.; and as a production exec at the De Laurentiis Ent. Group.
Bill Desowitz, former editor of VFXWorld, is currently the Crafts Editor of IndieWire.
