Carlos Saldanha

Carlos Saldanha, born on July 20, 1968, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is a prominent Brazilian filmmaker known for his work in animated cinema. He rose to fame as the director of several successful films in the "Ice Age" franchise, including "Ice Age: The Meltdown" (2006) and "Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs" (2009). Additionally, he served as co-director on the original "Ice Age" (2002) and "Robots" (2005), contributing significantly to the animation landscape.

Saldanha’s journey into animation began when he moved to the United States in 1991. With a foundation in computer science and a keen artistic vision, he found New York City to be the ideal environment to cultivate his talents. He enrolled in the Master of Fine Arts program at the School of Visual Arts, graduating with honors in 1993. During his studies, he created two animated short films, "The Adventures of Korky, the Corkscrew" (1992) and "Time for Love" (1993), both of which garnered attention at various animation festivals worldwide.

While at SVA, Saldanha connected with Chris Wedge, a co-founder of Blue Sky Studios, which led to his integration into their innovative team. His work has not only entertained audiences globally but has also solidified his reputation as a key figure in the realm of animated filmmaking.