Chris Meledandri, founder of Illumination Entertainment, received the David O. Selznick Achievement Award at the Producers Guild of America (PGA) Awards on Saturday night, becoming only the second animation producer to earn this distinguished honor.
During his acceptance speech at the Fairmont Century Ballroom, Meledandri addressed the current challenges facing the entertainment industry. “We find ourselves in a far more fragile moment,” he told the audience, highlighting the unprecedented disruption in the country, city, and industry.
Actor Steve Carell, known for voicing Gru in Illumination’s “Despicable Me” franchise, introduced Meledandri with humor. “Chris Meledandri is getting honored tonight because he’s better than you,” Carell joked, praising the producer’s ability to create compelling content.
Reflecting on his career, Meledandri shared insights from his early Hollywood days. He recalled a crucial lesson learned while working as a runner for producer Dan Melnick: “everybody matters.” The producer, whose films have generated over $11 billion in global box office revenue, admitted it took until his 40s to find his professional stride.
Meledandri also addressed the growing concerns about artificial intelligence in entertainment. He contrasted current technological challenges with his early career, when “technology was empowering us, not threatening to replace us.” He urged fellow producers to embrace change and continue adapting.
The producer recognized Universal Motion Picture and TV chief Donna Langley, praising her commitment to filmmaking. His Selznick Award places him among industry legends like Steven Spielberg and Martin Scorsese, and he is the first animation producer since John Lassiter to receive this recognition.
Concluding his speech, Meledandri called on his peers to evolve continuously. “To do that, we have to disrupt our own norms,” he said. “The comfort we feel looking backward is only an illusion. It’s up to us to keep our movies, processes, and audience engagement relevant.”
The award highlights Meledandri’s significant contributions to the animation film industry and his forward-thinking approach to entertainment production.
