Zareh Nalbandian - CEO & Co-Founder, Animal Logic (Happy Feet, The LEGO Movie, Peter Rabbit)

Producer, CEO & Founder of Animal Logic Entertainment

Zareh Nalbandian is the Co-Founder of the ground-breaking Animation Studio, Animal Logic, and the Founder and CEO of production companies Animal Logic Entertainment (ALE) and Truant Pictures.

In his role as ALE CEO, Zareh guides thedevelopment of an ever-evolving slate of highly commercial, tent-pole feature films and television productions, collaborating with visionary filmmakers and creative partners around the world. Established in 2006, ALE has successfully partnered with major studios and streaming platforms across Hollywood, building a successful stable of animated and hybrid family-film franchises for both theatrical and streaming releases.

Truant Pictures, founded in 2017, collaborates with emerging and established Australian and international talent to develop, finance, and produce high-quality live-action genre films and series for global audiences.

Zareh has always been dedicated to fostering talent through mentorships and residencies and supporting educational, arts, and creative industry organisations with the goal of developing a broad and diverse range of careers in the screen and arts sectors.

In a ground-breaking collaboration with the University of Technology Sydney, Zareh as CEO of Animal Logic established the UTS Animal Logic Academy in 2017. This pioneering venture offers industry-focused Master of Animation and Visualisation programs, as well as postgraduateresearch opportunities. The partnership's success culminated in Zareh being awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the University in 2018.

Zareh’s producing credits include Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole, Peter Rabbit, Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway, and Executive Producer on Academy Award-winning Happy Feet,Walking with Dinosaurs 3D, The LEGO Movie & The LEGO Batman Movie.

Zareh serves as the Deputy Chair of the Sydney Film Festival and is on the board of Australians in Film. Additionally, he is a dedicated Patron of the Motion Picture Industry Benevolent Society and holds memberships in prominent industry organisations such as AACTA, PGA, VES, and AMPAS. In recognition of his exceptional contributions, Zareh was honoured as the Australian NationalCinema Pioneer of the Year in 2017. Zareh's extensive involvement in the film industry led to his appointment in 2021 to the Australian Broadband Advisory Council, following his decade-long service as Deputy Chair of Ausfilm.