April 21, 2018, Los Angeles and Paris — Women in Animation (WIA) and Les Femmes s’Animent (LFA) are pleased to announce the program lineup and list of speakers for the second WOMEN IN ANIMATION WORLD SUMMIT, in conjunction with the Annecy International Animation Festival and Mifa 2018.
The WOMEN IN ANIMATION WORLD SUMMIT will take place on Monday, June 11th at the Impérial Palace Hotel (Allée de l’Impérial, 74000 Annecy) and will feature a day-long symposium of panels and discussions spotlighting top executives and filmmakers from around the world covering a range of topics affecting women working in the animation industry today, such as “Inclusion,” “NextGen World View,” “What 50/50 Means to Allies,” “A Conversation with Oscar-Celebrated Women Directors” and “Developing Diverse Talent.”
Julie Ann Crommett, Vice President of Multicultural Audience Engagement at the Walt Disney Studios and WIA Secretary, will introduce the topic of “Inclusion,” which will then be followed by a series of panels, including:
NextGen World View
*Moderated by Julie Ann Crommett (Vice President of Multicultural Audience Engagement at the Walt Disney Studios and WIA Secretary)
Hear the views of several NextGen filmmakers on inclusion, intersectionality and the near future when 75% of the workforce will be NextGen.
Panelists:
Solène Azernour, Director, “Skylander Academy”
Fernanda Frick, Director, “Here’s the Plan”
Hélène Leroux, Co-director, “Back to the Moon”
Bin-Han To, Co-director, “Revolting Rhymes”
Fawn Veerasunthorn, Story Supervisor, “Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It
Ralph 2”
What 50/50 Means to Allies
*Moderated by Mark Osborne (Director, „The Little Prince“ and WIA Chair of Male Allies)
The panelists will define what ally means and how to be an influencer for a more equitable future.
Panelists:
Eric Beckman, CEO/Founder, GKIDS
Anthony Leo, Producer “The Breadwinner”
Carlos Saldanha, Director, Blue Sky Studios
Shuzo Shiota, President and CEO, Polygon Pictures
A Conversation with Oscar-Celebrated Woman Directors
*Moderated by Bonnie Arnold (Producer, DreamWorks Animation)
Discussion of what it takes to create an award-winning film – the experience, the challenges and the journey.
Panelists:
Vicky Jenson, Director, “Shrek,” “Shark Tale”
Dorota Kobiela, Director, “Loving Vincent”
Nora Twomey, Director, “The Breadwinner”
Developing Diverse Talent
*Moderated by Vanessa Morrison (President of Fox Family)
Industry leaders discuss their views on the importance of finding, developing and nurturing diverse talent.
Panelists:
Jenny Gilbertsson, Film Commissioner Children and Youth, Swedish Film Institute
Andrea Miloro, Co-President, Fox Animation
Mireille Soria, President, Paramount Animation
Cara Speller, Executive Producer, Passion Animation Studios
„The Annecy International Animation Film Festival/Mifa is the most important global gathering of the entire animation industry, said Marge Dean, President of Women in Animation (WIA). “Mifa’s continued support of WIA and our Women in Animation World Summit at Annecy have played a key role in our growth and influence as an organization.“ Corinne Kouper, President of Les Femmes s’Animent (LFA) added, “This year’s Women in Animation World Summit is more relevant than ever given the past year’s events. LFA is thrilled to partner once again with WIA to host this essential event for women worldwide.”
In addition to Monday’s events, WIA will receive the Mifa Animation Industry Award during the festival, marking the first time the award has been given to an organization. Stated Mickaël Marin, CITIA Managing Director, Head of Economic Development & Mifa, „After the 2015 Festival put the spotlight on women in animation, we are delighted to give this prize to Women in Animation and, through this association, to all organisations who work for the equal status of women in the animation sector. This award is once again a demonstration of Annecy’s engagement to raise awareness and put into practice a real sense of equality within organisations”.
Additionally, WIA and Les Femmes s’Animent (LFA) will once again host a series of breakfast meetings open to all festival attendees Tuesday-Friday, June 12th – Friday, June 15th from 8:30-10:00am at the Brasserie du Parc (12 Rue Centrale, 74940 Annecy-le-Vieux). These meetings will be informal and inspiring gatherings dedicated to promoting and building a better place for women in animation. Each day will cover a new topics such as “Starting your own WIA Chapter,” “Sisterhood Solidarity,” “Spotlight Brazil” and “Women Directors in Competition” and feature an exciting lineup of top female animation talent from around the world.
Additional announcements regarding the Summit will follow in May.
ABOUT WOMEN IN ANIMATION
Women in Animation (WIA) envisions a world in which women share fully in the creation, production and rewards of animation, resulting in richer and more diverse entertainment and media that move our culture forward. The mission of WIA is to bring together a global community of animation professionals to empower and support women in the art, science and business of animation by increasing access to resources, creating opportunities for education, encouraging strong connections between individuals, and inspiring excellence. For more information or to join WIA, please visit http://www.womeninanimation.org.
ABOUT LES FEMMES S’ANIMENT
The French association Les Femmes s’Animent (LFA) is dedicated to raising awareness in gender discrepancies and stereotypes in all facets of the animation industry. We work to encourage equal opportunity for women in the creation, production and distribution of animation. We share a common goal with women’s organizations across the globe whose combined efforts hope to insure 50/50 in 2025. More information on the organization can be found here: http://lesfemmessaniment.fr.
WIA ON SOCIAL:
WEBSITE: http://womeninanimation.org/
LFA ON SOCIAL:
WEBSITE: http://lesfemmessaniment.fr/