Remembering Babatunde Akinloye: Renowned Filmmaker and Disney Production Supervisor
The animation community is honoring the life and legacy of Babatunde Akinloye, a respected filmmaker, creative leader, and dedicated member of Walt Disney Animation Studios. His passing has left a profound impact on colleagues, collaborators, and all those inspired by his work.
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Babatunde discovered his passion for film and storytelling at an early age. Throughout his career, he was known for his creativity, professionalism, and generosity, often mentoring emerging artists while helping shape meaningful projects across the industry.
Most recently, he served as Production Supervisor at Walt Disney Animation Studios, contributing to both Story and Creative Development for upcoming feature films. In this role, he collaborated closely with directors, producers, writers, and artists to help maintain each project’s creative vision while supporting strategic production needs.
Babatunde’s career path reflected versatility and dedication. After earning his M.F.A. from USC’s Peter Stark Producing Program in 2018, he joined MACRO, where he worked on a variety of film and television projects. He later contributed to multiple award-winning productions at Walt Disney Animation Studios under the guidance of Oscar®-winning producer Yvett Merino, gaining experience across production and post-production.
He further expanded his skills at Issa Rae Productions, where he worked on digital and branded content, demonstrating his adaptability and keen storytelling instincts. His talent was recognized early in his career when he was selected for the inaugural Academy Gold program in 2017, an initiative supporting emerging filmmakers.
Babatunde also interned with Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures’ VFX and Post Production team, gaining valuable insight into the technical processes behind major studio releases. He was a proud graduate of UCLA, where he earned his B.A. in Film, Television, and Digital Media and received the Chancellor’s Service Award for his contributions to the campus community.
Throughout his life, Babatunde remained committed to creating stories that were bold, inclusive, and emotionally resonant. His colleagues remember him not only for his talent, but for his warmth, leadership, and unwavering passion for the craft.
Babatunde Akinloye leaves behind a legacy that will continue to inspire storytellers for years to come. His memory will be cherished by family, friends, coworkers, and the many individuals whose lives he touched with his creativity, kindness, and vision.
