RESUME
Toby Cochran, Founder and creative force behind Big Grin Productions, has 20 years of experience in animation and production. His roles span story artist, writer, and director, consistently infusing projects with heart and backed by thorough research. With a global impact in mind, Toby has successfully led teams across various entertainment realms, including games, commercials, live-action, and animated series. His dedication extends to creating original intellectual properties.
Toby's illustrious career includes creative collaborations with studios and companies such as the Discovery Channel, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Nestle, Lego Universe, Netflix, and Disney.
A seasoned story artist and award-winning director, Toby has worked on projects with SoftBank Robotics, Marvel, ReelFX, and Kuku Studios, and his short film LUKi & the Lights has concluded its 105th festival, winning Best Short Film at the Cannes American Pavilion. His work stands as a testament to unwavering dedication, integrating research-driven authenticity and heartfelt storytelling into every endeavor.
Animation Production
Tàng - Exec & Producer | Short Film | 2026 | Eunice Chen
In Your Dreams - Story Artist | Animated Feature | 2025 | Alex Woo & Erik Benson
Taga - Exec Producer | Short Film | 2025 | Jill Sachs
LUKi & the Lights - Director | Short Film | 2024 | Big Grin Productions
Super Giant Robot Brothers - Story Artist | Animated Series | 2022 | Mark Andrews
Music Dreams - co-Director | Short Film | 2021 | Tell2C Productions
Bouncy & Friends - Creative Director | Pre-School Shows | 2021 - 2022 | Big Grin Productions
Claire & the Keys - Story Supervisor | Short Film | 2016 | John Brian Ludwick
Live-Action Projects
Werewolf by Night - Marvel | Feature Film | 2022 | Michael Giacchino
Bartlett | TV / Web Series | 2016 | Martin Edwards
San Fran Land | TV / Web Series | 2012 - 2013 | Ryan Lynch
Commercials
Settlers of Catan AR | Brand Campaign | 2021 | Storyboard Artist
Giraffes Arc Encounter | Commercial | 2019 | Creative Director & CG Supervisor
SalesForce | Commercials | 2017 - 2019 | Creative Director & CG Supervisor
Diligent Governance | Brand Campaign | 2018 - 2019 | Storyboard Artist
Pinterest Commercial | Brand Campaign | 2019 | Storyboard Artist
Sesimic | Brand Campaign | 2018 | Storyboard Artist
Softbank Robotics | Brand Campaign | 2017 | Storyboard Artist
Nestlé | Brand Campaign | 2016 | Storyboard Artist
Workshops, JUDGE & Guest Speaker
Lightbox Expo: Moderator 2026
CTNx Expo: Moderator 2025 - 2026
Annie Awards: Best Director Judge - 2025
Roadmap Writers: Judget - 2025
24 HOURS Animation Contest: Judge - 2025
California State University Long Beach: Speaker - 2025
Hollyshorts Animation Panel: Speaker - 2025
Kids & Art Foundation: Beastie Workshop 2020 - 2024
Burbank Int. Film Festival: Animation Judge - 2024
Animation World Summit: Speaker - 2024
Brand Story Workshop S. C. Johnson & Son - 2021
Indiana University Bloomington: Speaker - 2017
Denver Schools: Speaker - 2006 - 2008
awards
2024 Florida Film Festival: Matthew Curtis Audience Award for Best Short Film
2024 Leuven disABILITY Film Festival: Jury Award
2024 Phoenix Film Festival: Best Animated Short
43rd Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival: Audience Choice Award - Animated Short
48th Cleveland International Film Festival: FilmSlam Student Choice Award for Best Short
2024 Moscow International Children’s Film Festival: Finalist for Best Short Animated Film
2024 Chhatrapati Shivaji International Film Festival: Best Animation
2024 Cinemagic ‘On the Pulse’ Short Film Festival: Jury Prize Award
2024 Amsterdam World Canvas Film Festival: Best Animation
2024 Best Damn Film Awards: Best Damn Animation
2024 Los Angeles Cinema Festival of Hollywood: Best Animation
2024 19th Animayo Gran Canaria: Children’s Audience Award - “My First Festival.”
2024 Heartland Indy Shorts: Animated Audience Choice Award
2024 Siggraph Electronic Theater: Audience Choice Award
New York Animation Film Awards (NYAFA): Jury Award - Best US Film
2024 Portland Festival of Cinema, Animation & Technology: Jury Award Best 3D and Best use of Unreal
2024 South Dakota Film Festival: Jury Award
2024 Bernal Heights Outdoor Cinema: Spirit of Bernal
2024 Colorado Short Circuit Festival: Best Animation
2024 LA Lift Off: Best Animation
2024 AnimAura: Best Story
2024 Burbank International Film Festival: Best Animated Short
2024 Athens International Monthly Art Film Festival: Honorable Mention
2024 Portland Film Festival: Will Venton Award
2024 Sidewalk Film Festival: Best Narrative Short Film
2024 San Diego International Film Festival: Best Animation
2024 San Jose Short Film Festival: Best Family Film
2024 Cinematic European Film Festival: Best Animated Film
2024 Santa Fe International Short Film Festival: Academy Award Qualified! - BEST Animated Short
2024 ARFF Amsterdam: Best Animated Film
2024 Five Continents International Film Festival: Best Animated Film
2024 UK Film Awards: Best Animated Film
2024 Los Angeles Animation Festival: First Time Filmmaker
2024 MiraBan UK Film Awards: Best Animated Film
2024 MUSE Creative Awards: Platinum Winner
2024 EVA Digital Awards: Platinum Winner
2024 Collision Awards: SILVER - Art Direction, Best 3D Animation, Character Animation, and Directing
2024 Collision Awards: GOLD - General Kids & Family
2024 Telly Awards: GOLD - Craft in 3D Animation, Character Design, Advocacy & Causes, and 3D Animation
2024 Telly Awards: SILVER - General Children
2025 Oxford Shorts: Award Winner
2025 Folkestone Film Festival: Best Animated Film
2024 San Diego Short Film Festival: Best Director and Best Animated Film
2025 San Diego Short Film Festival: Best Picture for 2025
2025 Lift Off Season Awards: Best Animated Film
2025 Emeryville Film Festival: Audience Choice Award
2025 Catch the Moon: Jury Prize
2025 2D & 3D Animation Festival: Best 3D short film, Best Director, Best Audience Film and Best Character Design
2025 San Diego Short Film Festival: Best Animated Short of the Year
2025 WorldFest Houston Film Festival: Platinum Award Winner - Jury
2026 Cannes - American Pavilion: Jury Award Emerging Filmmaker Showcase Short Film Award
Toby is an experienced storyteller with a strong background in animation, creative leadership, and team communication. He brings a deep passion for character development, emotional storytelling, and building worlds that connect with audiences. Outside of work, Toby enjoys spending time with his family and traveling the world, always gathering new stories, ideas, and inspiration along the way.