The eighth edition of the day-long symposium will tackle the theme, ‘Stronger Together: The Equitable Future of Animation’
LOS ANGELES, CA – Today, WIA announced the lineup for this year’s WIA World Summit at the Annecy International Animation Festival and Mifa 2024. This year’s summit, themed “Stronger Together: The Equitable Future of Animation,” will examine emerging industry innovations and the power of community as we navigate the evolving animation landscape.
“As we get ready for our 8th annual WIA World Summit at the Annecy International Animation Festival and Market, I’m very proud of the work WIA has done to bring the topic of gender justice in animation to the world stage,” said WIA President Marge Dean. “Supporting creatives of underrepresented gender identities and creating true gender equity in our industry is critically important, and I’m thrilled WIA continues to be at the forefront of these conversations.”
“We are pleased to welcome the 8th annual WIA World Summit, themed “Stronger Together: The Equitable Future of Animation,” CITIA CEO Mickaël Marin said, “Today, we commit to fostering an industry where all voices are heard and valued. By working together, we can build a more inclusive and innovative future for animation and Annecy is honored to commit and be an actor of the change.”
The eighth annual WIA WORLD SUMMIT will take place on Monday, June 10th at the Impérial Palace Hotel (Allée de l’Impérial, 74000 Annecy) at the Salle de l’Europe and will feature a day-long symposium of panels and focused conversations spotlighting key thought leaders filmmakers and executives from around the world discussing gender justice — a system of equity and fairness for people of all genders, gender identities and presentations. As with every summit since the beginning, this year’s event will be live-streamed and available to the general public via the WIA website from 9:30 am -4:30 pm CEST/12:30 am-7:30 am PST, with a lunch break from 12:20-2:15 pm CEST. The Summit will also be recorded and posted subsequently on the WIA website.
The official program for the day will be as follows:
Welcome from WIA and Annecy Festival
WIA President Marge Dean and CITIA CEO Mickaël Marin welcome viewers and attendees followed by an introduction to the day’s events by WIA Secretary/DEI Chair Julie Ann Crommett.
SESSION 1 | 10 a.m. – What Now?: Global Opportunities in Animation
Description: Animation continues to engage audiences and inspire creators worldwide despite significant changes happening behind the scenes. In this conversation Agnes Soyode-Johnson, CEO of Limitless Studio; Deepa Joshi, Co-CEO of Incessant Rains Studio; Ramsey Naito, President of Paramount Animation and Nickelodeon Animation; and moderator Marta Balaga, Variety journalist, will reflect on the trends shaping the global animation industry today, the promising opportunities on the horizon, and the crucial role that women and nonbinary people can play in this ever-evolving industry.
SESSION 2 | 11 a.m. – Harnessing New Business Models to Navigate Animation’s Future
Description: From traditional studios to emerging digital platforms, the animation industry is experiencing a transformation driven by technological advancements, changing consumer behaviors, and global market dynamics, redefining how content is created, financed, distributed, and monetized. Join successful content creators and industry leaders including Vivienne Medrano, Showrunner, Writer, and Creator of Hazbin Hotel and Helluva Boss; Yukiko Koike, CFO/Managing Director of Studio Chizu; Kate O’Connor, Executive Chair of Animation UK; and moderator Jinko Gotoh, Oscar-nominated producer (Klaus) and WIA Vice President as they explore the industry’s evolving business models and how we can leverage these models to attain gender justice in animation.
SESSION 3 | 2:15 p.m. – The Creative Impact of the Technology Revolution
Description: As technology rapidly evolves, its impact on the animation industry and gender justice extends beyond practical application. In this panel Karen Troop, Executive Producer of Passion Games; Melanie Hoyes, Director of Inclusion of the British Film Institute; Rachel Appleton, Senior Director, Media & Entertainment Business Strategy at Autodesk; Janet Lewin, Senior Vice President of Lucasfilm Visual Effects / General Manager of Industrial Light & Magic; and moderator Karen Dufilho, producer at House of K, will explore how technological advancements foster opportunities for creative collaboration and innovation while presenting challenges that require thoughtful solutions that support gender justice.
CLOSING FIRESIDE CHAT | 3:15 p.m. – Fostering Community in the Animation Industry
Description: In times of adversity and uncertainty, a strong community is more important than ever. Join Julie Ann Crommett, WIA Secretary & Founder and CEO of Collective Moxie, and André Luís, Co-Founder and CEO of Trojan Horse was a Unicorn, as they share personal anecdotes and insights along with practical advice for nurturing and harnessing the power of a vibrant animation community. This conversation promises to ignite inspiration, spark connections, and remind us that we are never alone in building a more inclusive future.
The WIA World Summit is made possible through the generous support of our Global Fund Donors.
