United Talent Agency has signed rising filmmaker Januel Mercado for representation across all areas, adding him to its roster following his profile-raising work on DreamWorks Animation projects. The move underscores growing industry recognition of Mercado, who has spent nearly two decades working his way up through DreamWorks' story department to writing and directing his own feature.

Mercado is writer-director of DreamWorks Animation's upcoming "Forgotten Island," alongside Joel Crawford, a 1990s-set story voiced by H.E.R. and Liza Soberano with support from Lea Salonga, Dave Franco, Manny Jacinto and Jenny Slate. He previously co-directed "Puss in Boots: The Last Wish" with Crawford, a film that grossed nearly $500 million worldwide and earned Golden Globe, Oscar and BAFTA nominations. Since joining DreamWorks' story department in 2008, Mercado has contributed to franchises including "Kung Fu Panda," "Penguins of Madagascar," "Turbo" and "Trolls," was head of story on "The Croods: A New Age," and has also worked on Warner Bros.' LEGO franchise and as a supervising director at Nickelodeon Animation. He continues to be represented by Joann Mercado Hicks for management.