Online Filmmaker Q&A: “The Willoughbys” Director Kris Pearn

Event Recording

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Guests Expected

Director Kris Pearn is expected to participate in an online Q&A.

Description

Instead of running away from home, frustrated siblings Tim (Will Forte), Jane (Alessia Cara) and the Barnabys (Seán Cullen) use their ingenuity to achieve independence in ​The Willoughbys.​ The source of their troubles is parents (Martin Short and Jane Krakowski) who twirl each other around in evening gloves and three-piece suits, too love-struck and self-centered to give their kids proper attention. Convinced they’d be better off raising themselves, the Willoughby children hatch a sneaky plan to send their selfish parents on vacation. The siblings then embark on their own high-flying adventure to find the true meaning of family.

Watch The Willoughbys on Netflix then join us for a fun and educational Q&A with director, co-writer, and executive producer Kris Pearn to learn about the making of this offbeat and wickedly funny adaptation of the 2008 novel by acclaimed author Lois Lowry. Kris will also be doing some live drawing that participants can follow along with at home.

Recommended for ages 7 and up. The film is rated PG for rude humor and some thematic elements.

This special event, hosted by SFFILM Education, has been put together with children, parents, and teachers in mind. It is also free and open to the public. Attendees who RSVP for this event will be sent a link via email one day in advance to register for the online session, which will be conducted with Zoom. We recommend that you download and install Zoom on your computer or mobile device in advance, and set yourself up with a free account. Attendees will have a chance to participate in the Q&A by sending in questions privately to our moderator. Registration closes around one hour before the start of the event — be sure to register early!

We look forward to experimenting with virtual events like this in the coming weeks — let us know how it goes and how we can improve the experience!

Learn more about how to use Zoom and attending our virtual events here.

Writer/director Kris Pearn

Kris Pearn was born and raised in Canada. After graduating from Sheridan College, Kris has spent most of his life making cartoons for both film and television. His credits include ​Open Season, Surf’s Up, Arthur Christmas, Shaun the Sheep, Pirates: Band of Misfits, and Home, to name a few. He was Head of Story on Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs​, and co-directed Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs​ 2.​ He has most recently written and directed the Netflix animated feature The Willoughbys​, based on the novel by Lois Lowry. Kris has been nominated for several Annie Awards, teaches when possible, and has given a Ted Talk called “The Optimistic Opportunity of Failure.” He still loves to draw.

Film Details