CineEurope: Jeffrey Katzenberg Says Farewell, Talks Up ‘Shrek 5’

DreamWorks Animation outgoing founder and leader Jeffrey Katzenberg was given a surprise tribute on Monday following the first presentation at the annual CineEurope trade show in Barcelona.

Coming less than two months after Comcast announced its $3.8 billion buyout of the studio, DreamWorks‘ opening-day showcase saw Katzenberg reveal that after “many, many years” of coming to the European event, this was to be his “last time.”

At the end of his hourlong slot, Katzenberg was presented with a lifetime achievement award, only the second to be given out in CineEurope’s 25-year history, while a special video offered highlights of his 40-year career together with messages of support from figures including Fox chairman Jim Gianopulos and Steven Spielberg.

The product show itself was classic Katzenberg, showing extended clips from the major upcoming animation Trolls, due out in November, and new IP Boss Baby, set to bow in March 2017.

With Trolls, the DreamWorks Animation boss introduced the enemies of the “happy 24-7” creatures, known as the Bergen — miserable, fun-hating ogres Katzenberg suggested may carry an unintentional likeness to the presumed Republican presidential candidate.

“Any resemblance to Donald Trump is entirely coincidental … I don’t know how that happened,” he joked.

Concluding the show, Katzenberg thanked the audience of European cinema industry executives for their support over the years, and said DreamWorks Animation and its 2,600 staff had a “fantastic future” in the Comcast family.

“Every day has been an adventure for me, it’s been a great ride,” he said before signing off with a piece of news that left the auditorium buzzing. “And we have a fantastic script for Shrek 5.”

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