Netflix Restructures Animation and Family Film Leadership

Netflix has updated its executive leadership structure, appointing Hannah Minghella as the head of Netflix Animation Studios while shifting oversight of live-action family films to Kira Goldberg. The changes, confirmed by The Hollywood Reporter, consolidate the streamer’s focus on its growing animation pipeline under Minghella, who previously led both feature animation and live-action family projects. Goldberg, currently the studio’s VP of film, will expand her portfolio to include live-action family content alongside her existing responsibilities for drama, thriller, and faith-based titles.

What are the new responsibilities for Minghella and Goldberg?

Hannah Minghella now serves exclusively as the Head of Netflix Animation Studios, a role that encompasses the development, production, and acquisition of animated features. According to Netflix, this includes oversight of the company’s three primary animation facilities located in Burbank, Vancouver, and Sydney, which employ more than 1,000 staff members. Kira Goldberg assumes control of the live-action family film slate, integrating these projects into her broader oversight of the studio’s genre-specific film divisions. Both executives remain key members of the leadership team reporting to Netflix Chairman Dan Lin.

Why does this shift matter for Netflix’s strategy?

The restructuring reflects the increased commercial and critical importance of animation within the Netflix ecosystem. Since the 2019 release of Klaus, the studio has established a consistent presence in the awards circuit, securing Academy Award nominations for films including The Mitchells vs. the Machines and Nimona, as well as an Oscar win for Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio. By separating the animation and live-action family divisions, Netflix is positioning itself to treat animation as a standalone powerhouse capable of supporting complex franchise extensions, such as consumer products and live events, similar to the strategy employed for its high-performing titles.

What is the status of the current and future animation slate?

Netflix is managing a robust pipeline of animated projects. Minghella’s tenure has already overseen the release of notable titles such as The Twits and Spellbound. The studio’s upcoming release schedule includes several high-profile projects:

• Steps: A reimagining of the Cinderella story.
• Ray Gunn: A project directed by Brad Bird.
• The Ribbon Hero: An adaptation based on the work of Osamu Tezuka.
• The Buried Giant: A stop-motion adaptation directed by Guillermo del Toro.
• The Mitchells vs. the Machines 2: Currently in development.

How does this compare to the previous structure?

Previously, Minghella held a dual-focus role, managing both live-action family films and animation. The transition to a dedicated animation leadership role signals an intent to scale operations at the studio’s three international hubs. While Minghella will focus on animation, she will maintain involvement in select live-action projects, including the upcoming adaptation of The Chronicles of Narnia directed by Greta Gerwig and the studio’s new Eloise project. This move mirrors industry trends where streamers are increasingly centralizing animation production to better control quality and intellectual property development as competition for family audiences intensifies across major platforms.