Maria Miletic Dail's professional journey commenced in her native Croatia, where she made history as the first woman to occupy the position of animator at the prestigious Zagreb Film. Subsequently, she relocated to Canada and later settled in the United States, after being personally invited by William Hanna to join Hanna-Barbera Studios. Throughout her illustrious career, Maria ascended through the ranks, eventually retiring from Universal Studios as a director and producer. She was driven by a passion for meaningful filmmaking, consistently seeking out original ideas and innovative storytelling.
Maria founded her own Animation Cottage studio, collaborating with a team of twenty artists to produce a series of ABC network specials. She was meticulous in her approach, ensuring that all of her projects were developed and produced within the United States. In addition to her professional endeavors, Maria was a dedicated educator, lecturing at esteemed institutions such as UCLA, CalArts, and CCLA on the art of animation.
Maria's creative output was marked by several critically acclaimed short films, including her award-winning film "Why Not?", which showcased her unique perspective and artistic vision. A respected member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS),Maria took her responsibility to vote for the outstanding work of her peers seriously, and she thoroughly enjoyed attending the Oscars.
Tragically, Maria passed away peacefully at home on October 9, 2022, surrounded by her loved ones, just four days after celebrating 48 years of marriage to Sukhdev Dail. Her remarkable life was a testament to her unwavering dedication to her craft, her passion for storytelling, and her enduring legacy in the world of animation.
