Debra Solomon


Debra Solomon is a filmmaker and animator, known best for being the animation supervisor and the creator of the animated Lizzie from the Disney Channel show Lizzie McGuire. She has made a variety of short films, animated sketches and title sequences since 1994. Many of her films focus on the struggles of womanhood and emphasizing the female identity with empowering images.

Biography

Solomon's interest in film and animation began when she studied illustration at Pratt University. Once she completed her studies, Solomon became a freelance illustrator and later an animator. While drafting her first production, Mrs. Matisse, Solomon continued to illustrate and produced several books.
Solomon has also curated festival programs at the ASIFA-East Animation Festival where she has demonstrated her work as well as other animation. She is a board member for the ASIFA-East, as well as a member of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts and New York Women in Film and Television.

Career

Solomon began her career as an animator with her debut short film Mrs. Matisse. The film gained attention and success from film festivals and went on to win several awards.
Everybody's Pregnant was Solomon's next film, cited by Solomon as the film that allowed her to find her artistic voice. The film was also a success, with screening at dozens of film festivals. It eventually went on to be preserved in the Museum of Modern Art's film archive.
Many of her films are animated musicals, noteworthy for their ability to turn bad situations into humorous ones. Solomon writes and performs original music for her musical productions.
Solomon contributed to the television show Lizzie McGuire, designing the animated counterpart of the show's title character. Solomon is credited as the creator and animation supervisor for the animated representation of Lizzie throughout the show.
After working for Disney, Solomon composed many independent films over multiple years. These films were edited together as a 30-minute special on HBO titled Getting Over Him in 8 Songs or Less. Solomon's most recent film is My Kingdom, a short film about personal space and finding comfort in crowded areas of a busy city.

Filmography

YearPresenterAwardFilm
1994Annecy Film FestivalBest Sound TrackMrs. Matisse
1994Giovani Leoni PrizeSpecial Jury AwardMrs. Matisse
1995ASIFA-EastBest EntryMrs. Matisse
1997ASIFA-EastAnimation Award for Best Commercial FilmThe Parable of the Clown
1998World Animation FestivalSpecial Jury AwardEverybody's Pregnant
1998Saint Barbara International Film FestivalThe Bruce Corwin Award for Best Animated ShortEverybody's Pregnant
1998Aspen Short Film FestivalSpecial Jury AwardEverybody's Pregnant
1998New Haven Film FestivalFirst Place Audience AwardEverybody's Pregnant
1998Sydney Film FestivalFirst Place Short Film CategoryEverybody's Pregnant
1998Palm Springs Film FestivalFirst Place Audience AwardEverybody's Pregnant
1998Russian Film FestivalAnimation Recognition AwardEverybody's Pregnant
1998I Castelli AnimatiSpecial Jury AwardEverybody's Pregnant
1998New York Shorts Film FestivalBest Animated Short FilmEverybody's Pregnant
1998Greece International Film FestivalBest Film - Dionysus AwardEverybody's Pregnant
1998ASIFA-EastBest Entry in Commercial FilmsThe Parable of the Clown
2004ASIFA-EastAnimation Award - Best Commercial FilmThe Blind Men and the Elephant
2014Woodstock Film FestivalNY Best Animated ShortMy Kingdom