Mikkel Mainz grew up in Hedehusene with 3 siblings. Through his childhood he always made fantasy and comics the cool thing in school – inspiring and gathering groups who would enjoy animations, comics, games and roleplaying. He would draw as part of his storytelling and teachers would tell him to stop making everything about dinosaurs, time machines, magic, and ancient relics.After finishing his high school in Texas and Gymnasium in Roskilde, he did his bachelor at The Animation Workshop, in Viborg, in 2009. During this time he started directing and making 2D films, having his breakthrough with the bachelor short film “The Reward” that was released in 2013. He later made this into a series and founded the 2D studios Skjaldborn (2023-), Skjald ApS (2018-) and Sun Creature (2013-2018).Mikkel makes most of his films with the same team, since he enjoys growing and creating together – something that is crucial in animation. He also worked as a creative or animator on Cartoon Network shows (Ivandoe), Oscar nominated films (Flee & Song of the Sea), anime (“Emara”), and a long list of other animated film projects. He created and directed the webseries and universe “Tales of Alethrion” (YouTube channel with 220 videos, 2013-2024) and is the director of the TV-series “Høj” (26 episodesx11′, DR, 2024). He has an online community of more than 220K followers and is mostly known for making fantasy films and universes.Now he is CEO and director at Skjaldborn and he has also become a father, and he is loving both positions!