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Hi, I’m Serguei Kouchnerov, a storyboard artist, director, and animator with a lifelong passion for storytelling through animation. I began my career in Kyiv, Ukraine, studying animation and winning an international competition organized by Walt Disney, which launched my journey as a character animator. Over the years I’ve worked with Disney, DreamWorks, and Illumination, contributing to feature films as a storyboard artist and supervising animator, and I directed five animated short films, including The Hybrid Union, which earned several international awards.
Today I collaborate with teams around the world on projects from Despicable Me 3 to The Super Mario Bros. Movie, shaping characters, narratives, and visuals from concept to final frame. I enjoy mentoring up-and-coming artists and continuing to push the boundaries of storytelling in animation.
Experience Level
Language
Ukrainian
Fluent
English
Fluent
Work Experience
Story Artist, Director at Illumination Entertainment
December 31, 2022 - September 27, 2025Provided storyboarding and directorial contributions to major features including Despicable Me 4 (2024) and other Illumination projects such as The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023), Minions: The Rise Of Gru (2022), The Secret Life Of Pets 2 (2019), and related work; directed Yellow Is The New Black, a 3D animated mini movie (2019).
2D Animator, Story Artist, Supervising Animator at DreamWorks Animation
December 31, 2008 - September 27, 2025Contributed CGI/2D animation, storyboarding, and supervising animation on Madagascar 2 (2008), Bee Movie (2007), Over The Hedge (2006), Madagascar (2005), Shrek 2 (2004), Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas (2003); provided Additional Story Artist work on Chicken Run; led character animation workflows and storyboard planning across multiple titles.
2D Animator, Character Design Artist at Walt Disney Animation
December 31, 1995 - September 27, 2025Worked as 2D animator and character design artist on Fantasia 2000 segments The Steadfast Tin Soldier and Pines of Rome.
Storyboard Artist at Nickelodeon
December 31, 2010 - September 27, 2025Storyboard Artist for Kung Fu Panda TV CGI Animated Series.
Storyboard Artist at Bento Box Entertainment, LLC
December 31, 2012 - September 27, 2025Storyboard Artist for Bob's Burgers TV 2D Animated Series.
Writer, Director, Animator, Producer at HYBROLL ANIMATION
December 31, 2010 - September 27, 2025The Hybrid Union CGI Animated Short Film (2009) — Writer, Director, Animator, Producer; multiple festival awards including ASIFA-East, NYIFF, Action/Cut, Honolulu, Animazing Spotlight.
2D Animator, Story Artist, Director at KIEVNAUCHFILM
December 31, 1998 - September 27, 2025Hopeless Wombat (1991) – Director, Animator; The Log (1998) – Director, Writer, Animator; A Vicious Circle (1988) – Director; Treasure Island (1988) – Lead Animator; How Petia P. Counted Elephants (1984).
Director, Writer, 2D Animator, Storyboard Artist at BORISFEN
December 31, 1992 - September 27, 20259 1/2 Minutes Animated Short Film (1992); Dig Squat Animated TV Series (1991).
2D Animator, Character Design Artist at Walt Disney Animation
December 31, 1995 - September 27, 2025Segment The Steadfast Tin Soldier and Pines of Rome for Fantasia 2000.
Story Artist, Supervising Animator at Illumination Entertainment
December 31, 2022 - September 27, 2025Story Artist and Supervising Animator contributing to major features; additional Story Artist for Chicken Run; directed five animated short films, including The Hybrid Union (2010), which won several international awards.
Storyboard Artist at Bento Box Entertainment, LLC
December 31, 2012 - September 27, 2025Worked on Bob's Burgers TV 2D Animated Series.
Storyboard Artist at Nickelodeon
December 31, 2010 - September 27, 2025Kung Fu Panda TV CGI Animated Series.
Writer, Director, Animator, Producer at HYBROLL ANIMATION
December 31, 2010 - September 27, 2025The Hybrid Union (2009) and related projects; several roles on the short.
2D Animator, Story Artist at DreamWorks Animation
December 31, 2008 - September 27, 2025Contributed CGI/2D animation and story work on Madagascar, Bee Movie, Over the Hedge, Madagascar 3, Shrek 2, Sinbad, Spirit Stallion of Cimarron, Chicken Run (Additional Story Artist).
Character Animator, Character Designer at Walt Disney Animation
December 31, 1995 - September 27, 2025Fantasia 2000 segments The Steadfast Tin Soldier and Pines of Rome (Character Designer/Animator).
Director, Writer, 2D Animator at KievNauchFilm
December 31, 1991 - September 27, 2025Hopeless Wombat Animated Short Film (1991) (Director, Writer, 2D Animator).
Director, Writer, 2D Animator at BORISFEN
December 31, 1992 - September 27, 20259 1/2 Minutes Animated Short Film (1992) (Director, Writer, 2D Animator).
Director, Writer, Storyboard Artist, 2D Animator at KievNauchFilm
December 31, 1998 - September 27, 2025The Log Animated Short Film (1998) (Director, Writer, Animator).
Education
Animation Education at School of Animation at Kiev Animation Studio “Kievnauchfilm”
January 1, 1981 - January 1, 1983Animation program at Kievnauchfilm (Kiev Animation Studio), Kyiv, Ukraine
January 1, 1981 - January 1, 1983Qualifications
Industry Experience
Media & Entertainment
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