Andreas Deja

Born in Poland and raised in Germany, Deja was inspired at an early age by Disney animation and went on to study graphic design before joining Disney in 1980. His work is widely recognized for its expressive character performance, strong draftsmanship, and deep understanding of personality-driven animation. In 2006, he received the prestigious Winsor McCay Award for his contributions to the art of animation, and in 2015 he was named a Disney Legend.  

A passionate historian of the medium, Deja has long championed the legacy of Disney’s classic animation artists, including the original team behind Alice in Wonderland. His appearance at the festival offers audiences a rare opportunity to experience the remastered film through the lens of an artist whose own work carries forward that tradition.