Shortlist Judge

Dez Stavracos

Hornet

Dez Stavracos is an animator and illustrator based out of Brooklyn, New York. He currently works full-time as the Head of Production at Hornet.

As Head of Production, he oversees and supports the Cel and Motion teams; vetting new inquiries, defining opportunities, and guiding the production methodology, schedule and bid. As a part of the senior leadership team, Dez is also tasked with continually evolving the studio production practices, technically and creatively.

Dez began his full-time animation career in May 2010 with Bill Plympton. There, he worked in the capacity of Producer as well as Editor, Lead Compositor, Creative Director, and Web Designer. His credits include two Simpsons “Couch Gag”s, a sequence in the animated adaptation of Kahlil Gibran’s “The Prophet”, and the feature film “Cheatin'”.

Other notable credits include his collaboration with actor Matthew Modine (“Stranger Things”, “Full Metal Jacket”) to animate his production company’s identity, and character designer for the HBO Max Docuseries “The Lady and the Dale”.