Creators and directors behind this year’s Academy Award-nominated animated features and shorts will converge for a series of virtual panel discussions presented by the VIEW Conference in collaboration with the VFX Festival.
The first panel, scheduled for Wednesday, February 21 at 9:30 a.m. PT, will spotlight five directors from four contenders vying for the Best Animated Feature Oscar, along with the distributor of the fifth nominee. Among the esteemed panelists are Peter Sohn, director of “Elemental”; Nick Bruno and Troy Quane, directors of “Nimona”; Joaquin Dos Santos, one of the directors of “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse”; Pablo Berger, director of “Robot Dreams”; and David Jesteadt, president of GKIDS, the distributor of “The Boy and the Heron,” helmed by Hayao Miyazaki.
The subsequent discussion, slated for Tuesday, February 20 at 9:30 a.m., will focus on the nominated shorts, featuring directors, producers, and creatives behind these compelling works. Participants include Tal Kantor and Amit Gicelter, director and producer of “Letter to a Pig”; Jerusha Hess with “Ninety-Five Senses”; Yegane Moghaddam, director of “Our Uniform”; Stephanie Clement, helmer of “Pachyderme”; and writer-director Dave Mullins and producer Brad Booker with “WAR IS OVER! Inspired by the Music of John & Yoko.”
Maria Elena Gutierrez, conference director, expressed excitement for the opportunity to host these remarkable panels, bringing together a diverse group of legendary filmmakers. She emphasized the significance of celebrating the achievements in animation throughout the past year, noting the extraordinary talent assembled for these discussions.
Several of the featured films, including “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse,” “Robot Dreams,” “Nimona,” “The Boy and the Heron,” and “WAR IS OVER!,” were honored at the recent Annie Awards, underscoring their excellence within the animation industry.
The VIEW Conference, an annual event held each fall, serves as a premier platform for industry professionals, thought leaders, and enthusiasts to exchange insights on animation, VFX, and games. This year’s conference is scheduled for October 14-19 in Turin, Italy, offering a comprehensive program of speakers, presentations, workshops, and masterclasses.
Additionally, the VFX Festival, hosted by Escape Studios, will take place from June 6-8, offering a blend of in-person events at Escape Studios’ London campus and virtual experiences. Industry talks and engaging discussions are set to captivate attendees.
