'Paperman' Director John Kahrs Leaves Disney

The Disney Animators “officially unofficial” Twitter account tweeted Friday that John Kahrs, director of the 2012 short Paperman, has left Walt Disney Animation Studios.

Goodbye @john_kahrs. Thank you for all you brought to our studio. The best of luck to you, sir.

— Disney Animators (@DisneyAnimators) August 31, 2013

Before his stay at Disney, Kahrs also contributed his talents to Pixar Animation Studios. It was there that he worked on films such as A Bug’s Life, The Incredibles, and Ratatouille. Paperman was screened in theaters before Wreck-It-Ralph, and can be seen on the DVD/Blu-Ray of the same film. Paperman went on to win the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film in February.

As a parting gift, Kahrs was given a paper sculpture of Mickey’s Sorcerer Hat with paper airplanes spiraling around it — every individual paper airplane was signed by a Disney Animator.

Wherever life may lead him next, we wish John Kahrs, a man of extraordinary talent, the greatest success.

via A113 Animation

Fadi Antwan

Why is this article not showing in the website’s news archive?
Ian Miller

How sad! Is this kind of thing usual? I’ve seen at least one other fairly experienced animator leave in the last few months.
Josh111111

I suspect there was never any opportunity for him to direct a feature film at Disney. After Paperman, he probably went right back to animating.
Why stay somewhere where there’s no opportunity for growth and you’re not satisfied with your work?

Of course, this is pure speculation. Nobody really knows what the dynamics are at Disney or why he left. But I don’t think it’s as cynical as you’re making it out to be.

Also, where are you pulling these sources out of?