
WOMEN IN ANIMATION PRESENTS:
THE BUSINESS CASE FOR DIVERSITY
This year’s 2021 Women In Animation Virtual Summit At Annecy will be presenting the theme of “The Business Case For Diversity”.
Commenting on the theme, WIA Secretary/DEI Chair Julie Ann Crommett added, “The business case is not just that diversity, equity and inclusion are good for business empirically (they are), but that we each as businesses and individuals have a part to play in making change. Many companies, organizations and industries have committed to doing better – seizing the case for DEI. We get further faster by being more transparent with each other, more transparent as an industry and truly building a global community of practice and thought leadership. Our hope is this Summit begins to model what transparency and action can and should be in our industry.”
View the program schedule below which includes a series of thought provoking discussions and films featuring a diverse group of women across the Animation Industry.
PROGRAM SCHEDULE
WELCOME FROM WIA
WIA President Marge Dean and CITIA CEO Mickaël Marin welcome viewers and introduce Triggerfish as WIA’s official partner for the 2021 World Summit.
KEYNOTE ADDRESS – STORIES MATTER
Narratives and stories have a direct impact on how we perceive ourselves, the world and each other. Join Dr. Amma Y. Ghartey-Tagoe Kootin of JusticeRx and At Buffalo: A New Musical as she shares insights and connections between her creative work, narrative change and the African diaspora.
AMMA Y. GHARTEY-TAGOE KOOTIN, Ph.D.
Lead Artist, AT BUFFALO: A New Musical
Vice President of Creative Affairs, JusticeRx
THE BUSINESS CASE FOR DIVERSITY
This year’s 2021 Women In Animation Virtual Summit At Annecy will be presenting the theme of “The Business Case For Diversity”.
Commenting on the theme, WIA Secretary/DEI Chair Julie Ann Crommett added, “The business case is not just that diversity, equity and inclusion are good for business empirically (they are), but that we each as businesses and individuals have a part to play in making change. Many companies, organizations and industries have committed to doing better – seizing the case for DEI. We get further faster by being more transparent with each other, more transparent as an industry and truly building a global community of practice and thought leadership. Our hope is this Summit begins to model what transparency and action can and should be in our industry.”
View the program schedule below which includes a series of thought provoking discussions and films featuring a diverse group of women across the Animation Industry.
PROGRAM SCHEDULE
WELCOME FROM WIA
WIA President Marge Dean and CITIA CEO Mickaël Marin welcome viewers and introduce Triggerfish as WIA’s official partner for the 2021 World Summit.
KEYNOTE ADDRESS – STORIES MATTER
Narratives and stories have a direct impact on how we perceive ourselves, the world and each other.
Join Dr. Amma Y. Ghartey-Tagoe Kootin of JusticeRx and At Buffalo: A New Musical as she shares insights and connections between her creative work, narrative change and the African diaspora.
JULIE ANN CROMMETT (Introduction)
WIA Secretary/DEI Chair
Founder and CEO, Moxie Collective
Equity and Inclusion Strategist
AMMA Y. GHARTEY-TAGOE KOOTIN, Ph.D.
Lead Artist, AT BUFFALO: A New Musical
Vice President of Creative Affairs, JusticeRx

GENERAL INFORMATION
Dates: June 14 – 19, 2021
Location: Virtual Events Online
Sponsors: View 2021 Summit Sponsors
Festival Website: www.annecy.org

DISCUSSION PANEL: ALTERNATE CAREER PATHS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR TALENT
Attending art school and obtaining a degree is a privilege not afforded to all. This panel discusses how to challenge the status quo and create alternative career opportunities, especially for diverse talent.
ALLISON FRENZEL
Arts, Media, and Entertainment Education Programs Specialist,
California Department of Education
DISCUSSION PANEL: GREENLIGHTING DIVERSE VOICES
The need to tell and hear representational stories from a more diverse range of storytellers has never been more important. Led by Netflix’s Director of Original Animated Film, Janet Wu, this panel of seasoned content decision-makers shines a light on the importance of making stories from underrepresented communities, the need for authenticity in front of and behind the camera, and a behind-the-scenes look at the path to Greenlight.
MEET THE ARTIST
This year’s World Summit Artist Monica Ahanonu talks about her involvement in the project, and her inspiration for the artwork.
DISCUSSION PANEL: AFRICAN CREATORS IN ANIMATION
Presented By Triggerfish
Triggerfish Senior Producer Vanessa Sinden hosts a conversation with leading African women taking center stage with shows they have created, written, and are currently directing.
KELLY DILLON
Creator, Kiya
NG’ENDO MUKII
Director, Writer
OMOTUNDE AKIODE
Writer, Story Editor
MENTORING AND MAKING A DIFFERENCE AROUND THE WORLD
An inspiring featurette that offers a glimpse into WIA’s history and successful global mentoring program.
A FIRESIDE CHAT WITH VICTORIA ALONSO
Marvel Studios’ Executive Vice President of Production Victoria Alonso shares her perspective on the economic power of diversity in front of and behind the camera, and its impact on storytelling and success.
VIDEO COMPILATION: WOMEN IN CREATIVE LEADERSHIP
A visual collection of short stories from some of the world’s leading animation studios highlighting women in creative roles. Participating studios include Aardman, Animal Logic, Chromosphere, Crunchyroll, Disney Junior and Disney Television Animation, DreamWorks Animation, The Gotham Group, Illumination, Industrial Light & Magic, Lucasfilm, Netflix, Nexus Studios, Nickelodeon Animation Studio, Paramount Animation, ReelFX Animation, Skydance Animation, Sony Pictures Animation, Stoopid Buddy Stoodios, TED-Ed and WarnerMedia, including Warner Animation Group, Cartoon Network Studios, Warner Bros. Animation,Warner Animation Group and Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe.
Les Femmes s’Animent’s launch of a unique pan Francophone Mentoring Program for female creators who will participate in an innovative Anthology of women’s stories.
WILFRID PARE
Producer and Main Coordinator of the Association Burkinabé du Cinéma d’Animation (ABCA)
An introduction to the Laureates of the impressive first edition of ambitious female animation directors from across Latin America.
Sponsored by Ventana Sur and the Institut Français d’Argentine.
ELEANOR COLEMAN
International Development and Pre Sales, Blue Spirit
ELOA SAHIRY
Pitch Coach and Trainer, L.A. Conseils
ELVA ARRIETA
Director “Greta´s Journal”
EMILCE AVALOS
Director “Future Woman”
MARIA COELLO
Director “Flavor Quest”
MATISSE GONZALEZ
Director “Cursed Children”
PAULA BOFFO
Director “Highland´s Shadow”
SILVINA CORNILLON
Animation! Manager
Short video portraits of some of the women selected this year in competition in Annecy.
FATIMAH TOBING RONY
Director of “Annah la Javanaise”
HELEN ORA
Director of “Panic”
HENRIETTE RIETZ
Director of “Postpartum”
IVA TOKMAKCHIEVA
Director of “Balconada”
JASMINE ELSEN
Director of “Two Ice Creams, Please”
JOANNA QUINN
Director of “Affairs of the Art”
MARIE VALADE
Director of “Lolos”
POLYXENY KATSARI & MATINA FYKARI
Directors of “Oscar”
SUBARNA DAS
Director of “Amayi”
A portrait of a unique group of women creators their exceptional vision and success which explores, against all odds, how they continue to surprise us.
FLORA ANNA BUDA
Director of Entropia
LUCA TOTH
Director of Lidérc úr (Mr Mare)
NADJA ANDRASEV
Director of Symbiosis
REKA BUCSI
Director of Solar Walk
ZSUZSANNA KREIF
Director of Limbo-Limbo Travel
CLOSING FROM WIA
A closing message expressing gratitude from WIA’s President Marge Dean.
