It is with great sadness that AWN shares the passing of Fumi Kitahara (Otto), one of the most talented, kindest, and beloved publicists for the Animation industry, who guided award-winning campaigns for such studios as DreamWorks, Aardman, Laika, Netflix, Disney and various independents over the course of her distinguished 30-plus years in the industry. She died yesterday, February 24, 2025 due to complications related to a long battle with a rare blood cancer. She was 56 years old – her 57th birthday would have been this Sunday, March 2.
AWN worked with Kitahara extensively on animated projects going back to 1996. “I am still in a state of disbelief,” says AWN publisher and editor-in-chief Dan Sarto. “It’s hard to put into words just how wonderful it was to work with her on a film, or industry initiative. Always prepared, always appreciative, always supportive. No one corrected our spelling errors with such patience and understanding.”
Among the many acclaimed animated features she helped to publicize are the first three Shrek films, Chicken Run, Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit, How to Train Your Dragon, Coraline, Kubo and the Two Strings, Over the Moon, and The Sea Beast, among others. She also oversaw the awards campaigns for numerous Oscar-winning shorts including such recent films as The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse, and War is Over! Inspired by the Music of John and Yoko.
After graduating from California State University Northridge with a degree in Business Marketing, Kitahara launched her industry career in 1992 at The Walt Disney Studios in the office of Howard Green, with whom she worked on such features as The Lion King, Pocahontas, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Toy Story, and Frank and Ollie, in addition to a variety of live-action titles.
In 1996, she joined the fledgling DreamWorks SKG, helped to start her own department, and went on to serve as Head of Animation Publicity for the next 11 years. From the first animated feature at DreamWorks, The Prince of Egypt, up through her departure in 2007, Kitahara played a major role in marketing and publicizing all of the studios’ releases. Under her leadership, the studio launched campaigns for the Academy Award-winning films Shrek, and Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit.
“I have had the pleasure of working with Fumi for over three decades, from our Disney/Pixar days, through DreamWorks and Locksmith projects… her positive energy and effort in making connections and supporting independent filmmakers within our industry are irreplaceable,” says veteran producer Bonnie Arnold. “She was known and beloved by all and will be sorely missed by our community.”
In 2007, Kitahara left DreamWorks to open her own boutique firm, the pr kitchen. As a seasoned consultant, she contributed to the publicity and awards campaigns for the 2022 Oscar-winning feature, Guillermo Del Toro’s Pinocchio, as well as such Oscar-nominated films such as Coraline, How to Train Your Dragon, The Pirates! Band of Misfits, ParaNorman, The Boxtrolls, Shaun the Sheep Movie, Kubo and the Two Strings, Mirai, Missing Link, Klaus, I Lost My Body, Over the Moon, Shaun the Sheep: Farmageddon, The Mitchells vs The Machines, and The Sea Beast.
Nick Park, Executive Director at Aardman Studios, shared, “We at Aardman are so very deeply shocked and saddened by the loss of our dear friend and colleague Fumi. It’s hard to put into words just how much she will be missed; her years of unrelenting enthusiasm, invaluable support and her eternally generous spirit and friendship will always live on for us. A bright and very precious light has surely gone out in the animation world today, says.”
Additionally, she helped to publicize such Oscar-winning shorts such as Netflix’s If Anything Happens, I Love You, The Windshield Wiper, Apple TV+’s The Boy, The Mole, the Fox and the Horse, and War is Over! She also lent her expertise to campaigns for such other animated shorts as French Roast, The Gruffalo, A Morning Stroll, Adam and Dog, Room on the Broom, Possessions, Pearl, Robin Robin, and Revolting Rhymes, among others.
Kitahara’s other career highlights include a 4-year stint as entertainment publicist with Google Spotlight Stories, where she worked on strategy, launch and awards campaigns for such titles as the Emmy-winning Pearl and Sail, and the acclaimed Glen Keane helmed film, Duet. She also worked with Baobab Studios on their notable titles including Baba Yaga and Namoo. Her credits also include such documentary titles as Walt & El Grupo, Waking Sleeping Beauty, Tyrus, and the Oscar nominated short, Joanna.
“Fumi was a life force of joy,” said Keane. “From her early days working in Disney publicity with Howard Green and throughout the years, she has remained a constant source of encouragement for every artist and filmmaker who has ever been blessed to have her come alongside and help present their work to the world. Beyond any Award or recognition that Fumi’s considerable talent helped shine a light upon, the greatest prize was simply to count Fumi Kitahara as a dear friend.”
Kitahara served as the PR Chair for WIA (Women in Animation) for over 10 years, and was also a member of the Public Relations branch of AMPAS. “For more than a decade, Fumi served on the Board of Directors for WIA,” said Jinko Gotoh, Vice President of WIA and fellow Academy colleague. “WIA would not be where we are today without her extraordinary and relentless work. She was the ultimate connector to the media as well as the ideal Annecy ambassador for our World Summit.”
Marge Dean, WIA president revealed that in honor of Kitahara, WIA is establishing the Fumi Kitahara Membership and Scholarship Fund, “to recognize the impact Fumi has had on the members of WIA she lifted up through her hard work over the years. This fund will support future generations in our industry as we sustain the incredible legacy of kindness and generosity that Fumi gave to all of us.”
Kitahara is survived by her husband, Simon Otto, a veteran director (That Christmas), head of character animation (the How to Train Your Dragon films), and animator; and their son, Max. Other survivors include her mother Teruko Kitahara; sister, Hiroko Kitahara Domes; brother Keiichi Kitahara, and their family around the world. Plans for a celebration of life are in progress.
Dan Sarto is Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network.
