If you haven’t heard about the AfroAnimation Summit, consider this your wake-up call.
AfroAnimation Summit is the largest four-day gathering in the United States dedicated to non-traditional animators, gamers, and emerging digital creators. This year, AfroAnimation Summit (AAS) 6.0 will be held in Burbank, CA from April 23–26.
The Speakers Are Industry Titans
The Talent lineup is a full circle moment for animators of color. Scheduled speakers include Peter Ramsey, who directed "Rise of the Guardians" and co-directed "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse;" Jorge Gutierrez, co-creator of "The Book of Life" and "El Tigre;" Evan Waite, co-executive producer of "Family Guy;" Carl Jones, producer of "The Boondocks" and Founder of Martian Blueberry production studio; and Karen Toliver, the Academy Award-winning producer of "Hair Love" and formerly VP of Animation at Netflix, who has shaped global franchises like "Rio" and "Ice Age."
AfroAnimation’s Co-founder Keith White will also take the stage with his lecture series "Margin to Mainstream: The Evolution of Black Animation," covering the evolution of Black animation from early trailblazers to modern studios, with discussion around representation, career pathways, and how new technologies are shaping the future of the industry.
READ MORE - Break Into Animation: Advice for Creators from Martian Blueberry
What This Year’s Programming is Focused On
AAS 6.0 isn't just panels and keynotes this year. The format is built to move people from inspiration to action and to help curate and form meaningful relationships. This year's event includes in-person film screenings, main stage panels, workshops, career development labs, studio recruiting sessions, an expo hall, portfolio reviews, and the 6th Annual Short Animation Film Awards ceremony.
The leadership team will also be unveiling a brand-new digital graphics lab this year. The lab is being introduced as a resource for attendees to explore real-world production tools and workflows used in animation, gaming, VFX, and immersive media.
AAS will host its 2nd Annual Creative Job Fair SoCal that weekend at the Cambria Burbank Airport Hotel. The job fair will feature studios, networks, game companies, and tech employers who are recruiting for internships, freelance roles, and full-time positions.
For those with VIP passes, there are two exclusive networking events and access to a deal room focused on co-production, film finance, and distribution. The networking events are designed for professionals of all levels to find common ground and ideally forge new partnerships that add to the continued growth of Black people within interactive media.
Why This One Matters
The summit will connect artists, technologists, and storytellers with major studios including Disney, Netflix, Marvel Studios, DreamWorks Animation, BBC, Nickelodeon, and Warner Bros. AAS 6.0 is a stage for students, emerging professionals, and creators who've been building in the margins. This gathering is designed to put them in the room where the decisions get made and innovative ideas around the future are shared.
Passes are available now at afroanimation.com.
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