BIO
LORIEN MCKENNA is a seasoned writer and producer who has contributed significantly to both animation and live-action storytelling. She worked at Pixar Animation Studios, where she was involved in major films like Up, Brave, Inside Out, and The Good Dinosaur. Her experience at Pixar taught her valuable lessons about story structure and the importance of character-driven narratives, which continue to shape her work today.
Beyond Pixar, McKenna served as the Associate Producer for Paramount Animation’s Wonder Park and was the Co-Executive Producer for Curious George. She has also written for platforms like Hulu, NBC, and Disney. Additionally, McKenna is actively involved in mentoring and script editing, working with organizations like Screen Australia and Screen Queensland, and is a mentor for the Cinestory Foundation.
She holds an MFA in Playwriting and has a background in theater, having founded Guilty Theater and taught playwriting and Shakespeare at St. Mary's College of California. McKenna currently lives in Los Angeles, where she writes, consults for studios, and coaches screenwriters.