Chris Williams

Chris Williams studied at University of Waterloo and Bluevale Collegiate Institute. The recorded working language is English. The field of work recorded is film production. Residence is recorded at Missouri. Distinctions recorded are Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program and Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.

• Name — Chris Williams • Birthplace — Missouri, U.S. • Years Active — 1996–present • Occupation — Animator, film director, screenwriter, voice actor • Employer — Walt Disney Animation Studios (1998–2018) Netflix (2018–present) • Notable Works — Glago's Guest Bolt Big Hero 6 Moana The Sea Beast • Education — University of Waterloo Sheridan College • Awards — Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Big Hero 6 (2014) Chris Williams is an American-Canadian animation film director, screenwriter and voice actor who is best known for directing the films Bolt (2008) and Big Hero 6 (2014) and co-directing the film Moana (2016) for Walt Disney Animation Studios, and for directing the film The Sea Beast (2022) for Netflix Animation.

Williams was born in Missouri and spent the first 25 years of his life in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, where his father was the director of Counselling Services at the University of Waterloo. Williams graduated from the University of Waterloo with a degree in Fine Arts and then enrolled in the animation program at Sheridan College, Oakville, Ontario. Upon graduation from Sheridan, he was recruited by Disney and moved to Los Angeles.

Williams previously worked in the story department for Mulan (1998), The Emperor's New Groove (2000) and Frozen (2013), in which he also voiced the character Oaken. In February 2007, it was announced he would direct American Dog, which was re-titled Bolt (2008) and was later joined by Byron Howard, both of them replaced Chris Sanders who was the original director. In July 2010, it was reported by various sources that Williams would direct King of the Elves based on the story by Philip K. Dick. However, in 2012, it was revealed that Williams had joined another Walt Disney Animation film, Big Hero 6, as a director inspired by the Marvel Comics of the same name, alongside Don Hall. In November 2018, it was reported that Williams had left Disney and he would write and direct The Sea Beast for Netflix. The Sea Beast was released on Netflix on July 8, 2022.

• Year — Title — Director — Writer — Executive Producer — Other — Voice — Notes • 2008 — Glago's Guest • 2009 — Super Rhino • Prep & Landing — Story — TV special • 2015 — Frozen Fever — Oaken • 2016 — LEGO Frozen: Northern Lights — Episode: "Journey to the Lights" • 2017 — Gone Fishing — Co-Director • Olaf's Frozen Adventure — Oaken — Featurette • 2020 — Once Upon a Snowman — Disney+ Original Short Film

• Year — Title — Role • 2012 — Paperman — Special Thanks • 2020 — The Willoughbys • 2022 — Strange World — Very Special Thanks • 2023 — Nimona — Special Thanks • 2024 — Moana 2 — Special Thanks - Gratitude (as “Chris”) • 2025 — The Twits — Special Thanks • In Your Dreams