SMC and FILMMAKERS IN FRANKLIN Presents: Disney’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame with Special Q&A + Meet & Greet Featuring Director Kirk Wise
The Franklin Theatre is proud to offer this exclusive event featuring a live conversation with the co-director of the Disney animated classic.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (July 23, 2025) — SMC and Filmmakers in Franklin, a film event series hosted at The Franklin Theatre by actress Leah Allers, are proud to present an exclusive screening of Disney’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame on Saturday, July 26 at 11:00 AM.
Following the screening of the 1996 animated classic, attendees will have the rare opportunity to participate in a live Q&A and Meet & Greet with Kirk Wise, co-director of the film and a prominent figure in Disney animated history. Fans and film enthusiasts alike will be able to hear behind-the-scenes stories and insights directly from the filmmaker.
Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased Here.
About The Franklin Theatre: Located in the heart of historic downtown Franklin, Tennessee on 419 Main Street, The Franklin Theatre has been a cherished community landmark since it first opened in 1937. The beautifully restored art-deco venue seats 300 and hosts a variety of live performances, film screenings, and community events, offering an intimate and authentic entertainment space on Franklin’s historic Main Street.
About Kirk Wise: Kirk Wise is an acclaimed director, writer and animator best known for directing Disney’s timeless and beloved classic Beauty and the Beast (1991), the first animated feature film ever to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture. He also then went on to direct The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996), Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001) and the US production of Spirited Away (2001). With over four decades in the industry, Kirk Wise continues to craft stories for animation that delight audiences worldwide. He has several projects in the works and recently received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the ReAnimania International Film and Comics Art Festival of Yerevan.
About Leah Allers: Leah Allers was raised in the world of film by her father, Roger Allers, director of The Lion King, Roger Allers. After working in production for many years at Walt Disney Feature Animation, Leah pivoted to performing arts, starring in Disney’s national and international tour of AIDA, and she appeared on several TV shows including Days of Our Lives and Criminal Minds. Leah currently lives in Franklin, TN, where she works as a voiceover artist and a private voice coach, and is directing a documentary about the unsung artists of Disney Animation in the 1980s and 90s.
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