Alessandro Carloni

Biography

Alessandro Carloni is a visionary Italian director, animator, and storyteller who has been a cornerstone of the modern animation industry for over two decades. Born in Bologna and raised in the artistic city of Urbino, he grew up surrounded by the work of his father, a professional illustrator, though he initially set out to study literature and music at the University of Milan. To be honest, his entry into animation was almost accidental—he began selling drawings to pay for meals and realized his true calling was visual storytelling. After honing his craft at Munich Animation and working across Europe, he moved to the United States in 2002 to join DreamWorks Animation, where he quickly rose through the ranks as a lead animator and head of story. Carloni is best known for his pivotal role in the Kung Fu Panda and How to Train Your Dragon franchises. He made his feature directorial debut co-directing Kung Fu Panda 3 alongside Jennifer Yuh Nelson, bringing a deep sense of "stewardship" to the character of Po. While he was originally slated to direct Skydance’s Luck, he famously exited the project due to creative differences, a move that eventually led him to his current chapter at Warner Bros. Pictures Animation. As of 2026, he is one of the most respected voices in the field, known for his ability to balance epic, high-stakes action with intimate, character-driven emotion.

Known For

Social & Reach