The ‘Puss in Boots: The Last Wish’ director was awarded along with the graduating class of 2023.
On Saturday June 3, the BAFTA- and Academy Award-nominated director Joel Crawford was presented with an honorary degree by the Savannah College of Art and Design during commencement for the class of 2023. The degree was conferred by SCAD President and Founder Paula Wallace.
Crawford joined DreamWorks Animation in 2006, becoming an integral part of the creative process, working as a story artist on Trolls, Shrek Forever After, Rise of the Guardians, Bee Movie, and the Kung Fu Panda series. Prior to joining DreamWorks, his story artist credits include The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water and Alvin & The Chipmunks: Chipwrecked.
He made his feature film directorial debut on the DreamWorks Animation feature film The Croods: A New Age. After serving as head of story for the smash musical adventure Trolls in 2016, Crawford directed its holiday special for NBC.
Most recently, Crawford directed the DreamWorks Animation and Universal Pictures project, 2023 Academy Award- and BAFTA-nominated, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish; the film starred Antonio Banderas and Salma Hayek Pinault. A hit with both critics and audiences, the film has amassed nearly half-a-billion dollars at the global box office.
The SCAD commencement featured students, alumni, and remarks from Wallace. Honorary degrees were also presented to several other notable industry professionals including filmmaker Will Packer (Peacock’s Praise This), philanthropist, humanitarian, artist, and entertainer, John Guastaferro, and Emmy Award-winning Costume Designer Janie Bryant.
Source: Savannah College of Art and Design
