SMC and 'Filmmakers in Franklin' Presents: The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996) Screening with Special Q&A + Meet & Greet w/ Director, Kirk Wise! Saturday, July 26, 2025 at 11:00am. Hosted by actress Leah Allers.
‘Filmmakers in Franklin’ is a new film event series in Franklin, Tennessee - "Bringing Hollywood to Historic Franklin".
About the filmmaker:
Director, writer and animator, Kirk Wise, is best known for directing Disney’s timeless and beloved classic BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (1991), the first animated feature film ever to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture. Kirk then went on to direct THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE-DAME (1996), ATLANTIS: THE LOST EMPIRE (2001) and the US production of SPIRITED AWAY (2001). His writing and story contribution credits include: RESCUERS DOWN UNDER (1990), PRINCE AND THE PAUPER (1990), THE LION KING (1994), and OPEN SEASON (2006), among many others.
As an animator, story artist, writer, and director, with over four decades in the industry, Kirk Wise continues to craft stories for animation that thrill, charm, and delight audiences worldwide. He has several projects in the works currently and recently received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the ReAnimania International Film and Comics Art Festival of Yerevan.
Kirk lives in Los Angeles, and loves movies, comics, trees, dolphins, dogs, donuts, and The Beatles.
About the producer:
Leah Allers grew up in the world of film and animation- literally taking her first steps in an animation studio. She developed a passion for storytelling from her filmmaker father, Roger Allers (director of THE LION KING). After studying art, animation and filmmaking in college, and working in production for several years at Walt Disney Feature Animation, Leah pivoted to a performing arts career. Leah went on to star in national and international tours of Disney’s Broadway musical AIDA, and has performed at the Hollywood Bowl, Dorothy Chandler, and Carnegie Hall. TV credits: DAYS of OUR LIVES, CRIMINAL MINDS, ONCE UPON A TIME. Her Voice Over work includes the animated movie, THE PROPHET, with Liam Neeson, numerous Netflix series, audiobook narration for Harper Collins, and interactive.
Leah lives in Downtown Franklin, and spends her time working as a Voice Over artist, actor, and private Voice coach, and is currently directing a documentary about the unsung artists of Disney Animation in the 1980’s and 90’s.
Also check out other Arts events in Franklin, Entertainment events in Franklin, Theatre events in Franklin.
