In partnership with the BRIC Foundation, the Ottawa International Animation Festival (OIAF) presents Art + Biz Day: BRIC @ TAC as a part of The Animation Conference (TAC). Accessible to all OIAF 2023 TAC and AnimaPass passholders, the event will be held on September 22, and includes programming focused on ‘breaking, reinventing, impacting and changing the animation industry.’
“We’re so excited about the first of many collaborations with OIAF,” says BRIC Foundation’s Talent Manager & Co-Founder, Alison Mann. “Recognizing the desire and challenges the industry faces to recruit more diverse talent, we remain committed to creating access for marginalized communities into animation, VFX and gaming careers together. This year, we look forward to bringing productive discussions around how to break into the industry and the importance of elevating your personal brand.”
Art + Biz Day features a keynote presentation moderated by Mann with Kris Wimberly, co-founder and Head of Creative for Studio Smokescreen. Mann and Wimberly will discuss Wimberly’s career pathway in animation, from a service position at Disney to founding his own animation studio.
“We are proud to be partnering with the BRIC Foundation on an event that will help to inspire and open doors for a new generation of voices in the animation world,” says OIAF’s Managing Director Kelly Neall. “The animation industry won’t want to miss this opportunity to find new talent and to participate in equity-focused initiatives.”
Highlights of Art + Biz Day: BRIC @ TAC also include:
- A networking breakfast presented by Canada Media Fund (CMF) and Nickelodeon, with Opening Remarks from a CMF representative.
- A spotlight on ONLY YOU: An Animated Shorts Collection highlights directors Tsvetelina Zdraveva and Jerred North (Yellowbird), director Chris Fequiere and writer Dara King (Burning Rubber), and directors Caeleigh Lightning and Keara Lightning (Kimotiwin: The Act Of Stealing) and their experiences with the Max x WBD Access Animated Shorts Program. Zdraveva, Fequiere, King and C. Lightning will be present at the event.
- Meet a Mentor Sessions, hosted by the BRIC Foundation, that provide an opportunity for feedback on demo reels from industry experts at real-time mentoring sessions. These sessions serve to create access for underserved groups to network, have their work reviewed and access industry opportunities.
TAC runs from September 20 to 22. Additional programming for this networking and industry-focused forum will be announced over the course of the next few weeks.
OIAF 2023 takes place September 20-24.
