Alexandra Chiu Named Rising Star in Animation for ‘Avatar: Seven Havens’

Nickelodeon Animation Supervising Director Alexandra Chiu has been recognized as a Rising Star of Animation by Animation Magazine for her work on the upcoming Paramount+ Original series, Avatar: Seven Havens. The announcement was made on Tuesday, March 17, 2026.

A Rising Talent in the Animation World

Animation Magazine’s annual list highlights 15 individuals poised to make significant contributions to the animation industry. Chiu was selected for her role as Supervising Director on Avatar: Seven Havens, a highly anticipated continuation of the beloved Avatar universe.

Chiu’s Journey into Animation

According to Animation Magazine, Chiu, age 33, discovered her passion for animation during her time at Washington University in St. Louis. Initially drawn to drawing as a hobby, she found her calling in storyboarding after realizing it combined her artistic skills with her love for visual storytelling. Her first professional role in animation was as a storyboard revisionist on Marvel’s Spider-Man in 2015.

‘Avatar: Seven Havens’ – A Dream Project

Chiu expressed her excitement about working on Avatar: Seven Havens, stating it has been “an honor and a joy” as a longtime fan of Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra. She praised the talent and dedication of the crew, describing them as “truly wonderful and crazy talented.”

Balancing Creativity and Prioritization

The most challenging aspect of her work on the series, according to Chiu, is balancing her desire to contribute to all aspects of the project with the constraints of time, and resources. She emphasizes the importance of prioritizing tasks and maintaining a balanced life to produce the best possible work.

Influences and Inspirations

Chiu cites Cardcaptor Sakura and Disney films as childhood favorites, whereas Samurai Champloo remains her all-time favorite animated series. She also enjoys Naruto and One Piece, noting their continued influence on her work.

Advice for Aspiring Animators

Chiu shared valuable advice she received during her career: to view each project as an opportunity to learn something new. She believes continuous skill development is essential in the ever-evolving animation industry.

‘Avatar: Seven Havens’ – What to Expect

Avatar: Seven Havens is set to premiere on Paramount+, continuing the story within the Avatar universe. IMDb describes the series as following a young Earthbender who is revealed to be the new Avatar after a world-shattering disaster. She and her twin brother are pursued by both humans and spirits as they attempt to save the Seven Havens. The series will consist of at least 26 episodes, comprising Books 1 and 2, with each book containing 13 half-hour episodes. ComicBook.com reports that Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, the creators of the original Avatar: The Last Airbender series, are serving as co-chief creative officers of Avatar Studios and are overseeing the development of Avatar: Seven Havens.

Aaron Austin Also Recognized

Alongside Chiu, Aaron Austin, a Story Artist on DreamWorks Animation’s Forgotten Island, was also named a Rising Star of Animation by Animation Magazine.

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