Michelle Raimo Kouyate Exits President Of Production Post At Sony Pictures Animation

Michelle Raimo Kouyate is stepping down as President of Production of Sony Pictures Animation. During her four-year tenure, she was responsible for overseeing the development and production of all films on the SPA slate, including, The Smurfs franchise, Hotel Transylvania and Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs 2.

Studio officials wouldn’t say why she’s leaving, but she’ll remain on the Sony Pictures lot with a production deal for animated and live-action films. She was an executive producer of Best Picture  Oscar nominee Silver Linings Playbook, and other credits including co-executive producer of Chocolat, associate producer of The Shipping News and executive producer of An Unfinished Life.

Prior to joining Sony Pictures Animation in 2010, she had been a production executive at DreamWorks Animation. She also held SVP Production posts at Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies.