Johnny Otto / Film

“In a world where cookie-cutter presentations overwhelm mainstream moviemaking, Otto has reminded us that movies are extensions of the moviemaker, not the other way around.”

Johnny Otto is no stranger to the difficulties moviemakers face when trying to turn aspirations into reality. Armed with only a suitcase and a few hundred bucks, Otto took off for Los Angeles in 1990. Since then, he’s done everything, from hosting underground art exhibits to releasing a full-length album to creating award-winning animations with partner-in-crime Michael Morrison. This fall, Otto premieres his latest project, “Slimdunce,” an accomplishment he describes as “the single most amazing thing” he has created to date. In a world where cookie-cutter presentations overwhelm mainstream moviemaking, Otto has reminded us that movies are extensions of the moviemaker, not the other way around. “Slimdunce” features seven short films, all of which were shot in one day a week for seven consecutive weeks, a concept Otto derived from 24-hour film contests.

— Michael Walsh, MovieMaker Magazine

Read the MovieMaker feature

Johnny Otto

Writer / Director / Producer / DP / Editor

Johnny Otto is an award‑winning writer and director with over 30 years of experience in film and animation. A fearless storyteller with a knack for pushing creative boundaries, Otto began his journey in Canada, attending film school and serving as a Teaching Assistant at the University of Windsor before setting his sights on Hollywood. By 26, he had already optioned his first screenplay to legendary producer Joel Silver ( Roadhouse , Lethal Weapon ), kickstarting a career marked by bold choices and visionary storytelling.

Otto’s early work gained cult status, particularly the infamous Bring Me The Head of Walt Disney , a gonzo‑style documentary chronicling the wild search for Disney’s rumored frozen head. He took on the challenge of producing seven short films in seven weeks with Slimdunce , a cinematic experiment that drew MovieMaker Magazine coverage and sponsored screenings across Los Angeles.

He brought his style to Netflix/PBS’s Human: The World Within and founded Out Draw Animation in 2020, developing projects including Zombies, Whatever , Izzy & Zan , Family Time Travel , and Sean The Worm . Beyond animation, his shorts have screened at Palm Springs, Indie‑X, Lift‑Off First‑Time Filmmakers, and more.

Skills: Premiere Pro, After Effects, DaVinci Resolve, Photoshop; Sound Design/Mixing & Music; Directing/DP; Writing for Film/TV/Animation.