Template:Short description Template:About Leo D. Sullivan (Template:Circa – March 25, 2023)[1][2] was an American writer and director of animated films, and a pioneer in black animation.[3][4] With Floyd Norman, who he met working on Beanie and Cecil, he launched Vignette Films, later Vignette Multimedia, and worked on the original animated Soul Train logo.[5][6] They also produced short films geared toward a high school audience on leaders in the African-American community.[7]
Sullivan worked for Bob Clampett Productions as an animation cel polisher before moving up to working as an artist and animator.[6] Over a more than sixty year career, he and his wife collaborated on improving animation for black children.[8] His company, Leo Sullivan Multimedia, is behind brands such as AfroKids.[4][8]
Sullivan and Norman's work was recognized by the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame in 1991 and Sullivan received an Emmy in 1992 as a Timing Director.[6] Interviews of Sullivan are featured prominently in the documentary Floyd Norman: An Animated Life (2016) by Michael Fiore.
Filmography
- Round Trip to the Moon (1972)
- Examining the Moon (1972)
- Men to Meet the Challenge (1972)
- Living in Space (1972)[9]