What’s it like to write one of the world’s most beloved animated films?

Join The Elizabeth Hotel and CSU’s Department of Communication Studies for a special evening with Cyrus Voris, co-writer of DreamWorks Animation’s Academy Award-nominated Kung Fu Panda (2008), a worldwide phenomenon that launched a multibillion-dollar franchise and captured the hearts of audiences across generations and cultures.

Now a Fort Collins resident, Voris has spent more than three decades at the heart of Hollywood’s film and television industry. Alongside longtime creative partner Ethan Reiff, he has written for the big screen, created and led acclaimed television series, and served as executive producer on major international productions. His impressive credits include Ridley Scott’s Robin Hood starring Russell Crowe, the Emmy and Golden Globe-nominated Showtime series Sleeper Cell, Netflix and History Channel’s Knightfall, and Amazon Prime’s epic biblical series House of David.

Moderated by Beth Seymour, Managing Director of CSU’s ACT Human Rights Film Festival, the evening will explore the making of Kung Fu Panda, the creative process behind bringing unforgettable characters to life, and the realities of writing for Hollywood. The evening will feature film clips, behind-the-scenes stories, and an audience Q&A.

Presented by The Elizabeth Hotel and CSU’s Department of Communication Studies, with support from ACT Human Rights Film Festival, with thanks to DreamWorks.

BIO: Cyrus Voris has been a screenwriter and television creator, writer and showrunner with his long-time partner and fellow NYU graduate, Ethan Reiff, since the early 90s. Cyrus has co-written screenplays for TALES FROM THE CRYPT PRESENTS DEMON KNIGHT (1995), BULLETPROOF MONK (2003), the Ridley Scott/Russell Crowe ROBIN HOOD (2010) which began as the spec script NOTTINGHAM and DreamWorks Animation’s Academy Award Nominated Best Animated Feature KUNG FU PANDA (2008); In television he has co-created and showrun such series as Fox’s BRIMSTONE (1998), CBS’s ELEVENTH HOUR (2008-2009), TNT’S LEGENDS (2014-2015) and the Emmy and Golden Globe nominated Showtime series SLEEPER CELL (2005-2006); most recently he has Executive Produced the Netflix Indian Limited Series BARD OF BLOOD (2019), Netflix & History Channel’s KNIGHTFALL (2017-2019) and Amazon Prime’s epic biblical series THE HOUSE OF DAVID (2024-25). He is currently Executive Producing the upcoming documentary WORKING CLASS ACTOR (2027) about the late cult movie star, Wings Hauser.