Spanish animator Alberto Mielgo, known for his Oscar-winning short The Windshield Wiper, added an Emmy to his list of accolades this week for his work on the Netflix animated anthology series Love, Death & Robots. Specifically, he earned recognition in the character design category, a field that blends technical prowess with creative artistry within the Creative Arts Emmys, a segment of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.
The Emmy ceremony spanned three nights, from April 3 to April 4, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, California, just before the big Television Academy gala that honors outstanding series and performances across the industry. The award for Jibaro, one of the standout episodes of Love, Death & Robots, marked a high point as the short closes the third season of the acclaimed Netflix anthology. Love, Death & Robots is renowned for its standalone episodes that fuse science fiction, fantasy, horror, and humor, all presented with a mature, adult-oriented sensibility.
Mielgo both directed and wrote Jibaro, crafting a fantasy narrative in which a group of conquerors discovers loot on a desolate island. The story unfolds around a mythic guardian, and a deadly dance between a deaf knight and a mermaid whose fates become tightly wound around a treasure-laden clash. The filmmaker described the project as a tale without conventional heroes or clearly defined villains, aiming for a tone of tragedy that resonates with audiences on a deeper, more human level.
In addition to character design, Mielgo contributed to the episode’s soundscape, highlighting how sonic elements play a crucial role in bringing animation to life. He even employed a personal device to capture sound, experimenting with household items to create textures that underline the eerie mood of the piece. This approach underscores his philosophy that animation is not merely visuals but a full sensory experience.
Earlier in 2019, Mielgo already earned widespread recognition when Witness premiered, adding three Emmys to his record for the series Love, Death and Robots: best animated short, best art direction, and best animation, complemented by Annie Award nominations for artistic direction in animated films. These wins helped cement his reputation as a leading voice in contemporary animation, capable of blending cinematic storytelling with innovative design.
Born in Madrid in 1979, Mielgo has collaborated with major studios such as Disney, Netflix, and Sony. He now lives in Los Angeles, though his creative work remains closely tied to Madrid, where his production company is based. His collaboration with Oscar-winning talent, including Leo Sánchez on The Windshield Wiper, reflects a career defined by cross-cultural influence and a fearless push toward new expressive possibilities in animation.
As the industry reflects on these achievements, Mielgo emphasizes that the journey is just beginning. He suggests that animation, especially when aimed at adult audiences, holds untapped potential for storytelling that blends art with emotion, idea, and spectacle. His remarks at the Dolby Theatre during the awards speech highlighted a hopeful message: animation can command prestige and be recognized as a serious form of filmmaking on par with live action, design, and writing.