Madeline Sharafian Makes Pixar History as First Armenian Woman to Co-Direct a Feature Film with "Elio"

Pixar’s new film, “Elio”, lands in theaters June 20 — and behind the cosmic adventure is Armenian-American director Madeline Sharafian, making her feature directorial debut.

Sharafian, who is Armenian on her father’s side, is only the third woman ever to co-direct a feature film at Pixar, and the first with Armenian heritage.  “Elio” tells the story of an 11-year-old boy who feels like an outsider — a theme that resonated personally with Sharafian and her own experience growing up in the diaspora.

In an exclusive Q&A with The Armenian Report, she opens up about the film, her Armenian identity, and what representation means to her.

Exclusive Interview with Madeline Sharafian

The Armenian Report: Tell us more about “Elio”: How did the idea come about, and what was the process of creating it like?

Madeline Sharafian: The idea for Elio came from its original director, Adrian Molina, and it's inspired by his personal history of growing up on a military base as an artsy kid and feeling like he doesn't belong. And though I didn't grow up on a military base, I related to his story of feeling out of place. I grew up as an artsy, kind of strange, lonely child who wanted just to find a place where I would fit in. 

Creating the film was definitely daunting. I'm a huge fan of Pixar movies, so of course, I felt the pressure of trying to make sure that Elio lived up to those other movies that I loved so much. But I was so lucky to be working with an incredible crew. Everyone at Pixar wants nothing more than to just create the best story, the best film possible. So it was challenging, but we had a lot of fun, and we all got to work together under one roof, oftentimes side by side. And I think that you can tell that the people making the movie really liked each other; I think that shows up on the screen.

The Armenian Report: How has your Armenian heritage influenced your creative voice or storytelling style?

Madeline Sharafian: I'd say it shows up more in the work that I do outside of Pixar, the drawings that I do for myself. I always felt a little self-conscious about the way I looked when I was younger. I didn't grow up around a lot of other Armenians, and I didn't quite feel confident in the features that I inherited. But as I got older, I started to really appreciate those things and started to put them into the personal artwork that I draw just for fun. And now there are things about those traits that I feel very proud of. But as far as Armenian presence in Pixar movies goes, I did my best in Elio. There is a little cameo from actress Angela Sarafyan in the sequence near the end of the film that you should keep your ears open for.

The Armenian Report: Growing up, did your Armenian identity shape how you saw yourself as an artist or filmmaker?

Madeline Sharafian: I'd say that the Armenian family that I grew up with, especially my dad, were sensitive artists. There was always a lot of poetry and music in my house. I also think that the beautiful patterns and colors that I grew up with have ended up working their way into the art that I love and into the pieces I want to make.

The Armenian Report: Pixar films often explore themes of identity and belonging — how did your own background influence the way those themes were approached in Elio?

Madeline Sharafian: I think it's a very interesting and sometimes lonely feeling to be a part of a diaspora where you're not quite sure if you belong in one place or the other. My last name was just unfamiliar enough for my classmates in high school for me to feel a little shy about it. But if I were to go to Armenia, or even Glendale, one day, I would be so American at this point that I don't know if anyone would know what to do with me. So, I do think that there is a little bit of that hunting for a place where you belong that I relate to with Elio.

The Armenian Report: You’re only the third woman ever to direct a feature at Pixar — and the first with Armenian heritage. What does that representation mean to you?

Madeline Sharafian: What I love about it is when I get messages or notes from Armenian filmmakers and Armenian artists who just find, simply by the presence of my last name, that they have a little bit more hope for their own aspirations in the industry, and all I want to do is help Armenians tell their stories, because I know it's been a hard road for a lot of them, and I'm here to help.

About Madeline Sharafian and Pixar’s New Film

Madeline Sharafian joined Pixar in 2015 right after graduating from college. Her first big recognition came with “Burrow”, a heartfelt animated short that earned her an Oscar nomination in 2021. “Elio” is her first time directing a full-length feature film.

The movie stars the voices of Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldaña, Remy Edgerly, Jameela Jamil, Brad Garrett, Shirley Henderson, Matthias Schweighöfer, and Brandon Moon. It introduces audiences to “Elio”, an 11-year-old boy who unexpectedly becomes Earth's ambassador to a galactic community — where he learns that the things that make him feel different may be what make him special.

With “Elio”, Sharafian joins the legacy of powerful storytellers at Pixar — and carves space for a new generation of Armenian voices in film. As she puts it, she's here to help others tell their stories. And with this film, she's already telling one of her own.

“Elio” opens in theaters on June 20, 2025.

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