The animation community is mourning the passing of much-loved animation publicist Fumi Kitahara (Otto), who died of a rare blood cancer on Monday. Considered one of the premier publicists for the animation industry, she 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 was 56 years old, just shy of her upcoming 57th birthday on March 2, 2025.
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 titles 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.
A DreamWorks Pioneer
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 studio’s releases.
“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. She was known and beloved by all and will be sorely missed by our community,” says veteran producer Bonnie Arnold.
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, The 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.
“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 Nick Park, executive director at Aardman Studios.
Additionally, Kitahara helped publicize such Oscar-winning shorts 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 four-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 such notable titles as 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.
‘A Force of Joy’
“Fumi was a life force of joy. 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,” says Keane.
Kitahara served as the PR Chair for WIA (Women in Animation) for over ten 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. 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,” says Jinko Gotoh, Vice President of WIA and fellow Academy colleague. 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,” says Marge Dean, President of WIA.
Kitahara is survived by her husband, Simon Otto, a veteran director (That Christmas, head of character animation (the How to Train Your Dragon trilogy), 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.
It has been a true pleasure and privilege to work with Fumi over the years. We will never forget her true professionalism, radiant personality, beautiful smile and big heart. On behalf of everyone at Animation Magazine, we send our love and condolences to Simon, Max and all of Fumi’s family and many friends. She was truly one in a million, and we’re all so fortunate to have known her and worked with her through the years.
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