DreamWorks Names New Animation Heads

In their new roles, Arnold and Soria (the lead producers behind the studio's

How to Train Your Dragon

and

Madagascar

franchises, respectively), will oversee creative development and production for DreamWorks Animation's theatrical releases. Between them, they have produced eight films at DreamWorks.

Arnold is a 12-year veteran of DreamWorks Animation with 31 years of filmmaking experience. She currently oversees the

How to Train Your Dragon

film franchise and also produced the 2006 DWA release

Over the Hedge,

the Disney blockbuster

Tarzan

and the history-making film

Toy Story.

Soria also has 31 years of production leadership experience, including 15 at DreamWorks Animation where has overseen the

Madagascar

franchise. She also produced the Academy Award-nominated

Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron

. Prior to joining DreamWorks Animation, Mireille held a deal at Fox Family Pictures, where she produced the romantic Cinderella story

Ever After.

 She also previously held the post of vice president of production for Walt Disney Pictures where she oversaw the development and production of such projects as

The Mighty Ducks

and

Cool Runnings

.

"Mireille and Bonnie are two of the most accomplished and prolific filmmakers working in feature animation today," says Jeffrey Katzenberg, chief executive officer, DreamWorks Animation. "I am confident in their ability to marshal the extensive creative resources available at our studio and lead DreamWorks's vast ranks of artists and filmmakers as they produce the highest quality entertainment."