Francis Nielsen

Francis Nielsen is a French director of animated films, known mostly for his films Blackie & Kanuto, Émilie Jolie and Le Chien, le Géneral et les Oiseaux. Nielsen was born and raised in the mountainous region of Lake Annecy in eastern France. He began his career as a puppeteer presenting shows in local schools.

After a varied career, he joined the animation studio Idéfix (created by Rene Goscinny and Albert Uderzo, creators of the French comic and animated film series Asterix). He began his career at Idéfix as the First Assistant Director of Les 12 Travaux D'Asterix and La Ballade des Dalton.

Directing many animated commercials and TV series, he eventually became a producer in two different companies he created: Stout Studio and Rooster Studio.

He is currently director for several television series, specials and feature films. He became the first animated feature director to be in the Official Selection at the Venice International Film Festival with Le Chien..