<h3>Where</h3><p>Online</p><h3>When</h3><p>March 24-26, 2022</p>

Toronto Animation Film Festival

<h3>Where</h3><p>Online</p><h3>When</h3><p>March 24-27, 2021</p>

<h3>Where</h3><p>Hot Docs Cinema | Toronto, Canada | 506 Bloor Street West</p><h3>When</h3><p>Monday April 25th</p>

<h3>Where</h3><p>Online</p><h3>When</h3><p>November 11-13, 2021</p>

Toronto Animation Industry Conference

<h3>Where</h3><p>Online</p><h3>When</h3><p>November 18-22, 2020<span class="ql-cursor">﻿</span></p>

<h3>Where</h3><p>Corus Quay, Toronto, Canada, 25 Dockside Dr.</p><h3>When</h3><p>Saturday to Sunday, November 2-3, 2019</p>

Toronto Animation / VFX Job Fair

TAAFI News

<p><span style="background-color: transparent;">2019 marks Mark’s 25th year in the animation industry. After graduating from Sheridan College in ‘94 Mark began working as an inbetweener and key-cleanup artist at a number of Toronto boutique studios producing commercials and big studio features. Feature credits include SPACE JAM, ANASTASIA, TITAN AE, QUEST FOR CAMELOT, and OSMOSIS JONES.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent;">When feature gigs were unavailable Mark worked as a designer at Nelvana, where he started working daily with his soon to be partner-in-crime, Todd Kauffman. The two of them recognized a similar sense of humour and passion for story in each other, and began collaborating on “just for fun” projects like writing and illustrating dark cautionary tales. The ultimate goal was to create and produce their own IP.&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent;">In 2005 they finally got that chance. They created and direct a series of 5 animated shorts for Nelvana’s Funpack program: The 9th LIFE OF SHERMAN PHELPS. With the taste of directing still fresh in their mouths, and their old design jobs being their only option back at Nelvana, the duo decided to strike out on their own. They officially partnered up as NEPTOON STUDIOS to create and develop their own IP and went looking for directing gigs to pay the bills.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent;">They started off by directing the first 2 seasons of Fresh Tv’s TOTAL DRAMA ISLAND and TOTAL DRAMA ACTION. From there they went to create and direct their own series GROJBAND, followed by another original, LOOPED. While continuing to pitch and develop their own properties, co-directing is what they became known for and were soon tapped to helm the first season of CORNER GAS ANIMATED. From there they landed at GURU where they co-directed the 4th season of TRUE AND THE RAINBOW KINGDOM, and most recently PIKWIK PACK.</span></p>

Mark Thornton

<p>Martha Sepulveda used to be a kid who dreamt of making her own shows. Today, Martha is a children’s media development executive and producer creating content that inspires and entertains. She is the development director at 9 Story Media Group and has over 10 years of international experience in kid’s media. She has worked for award winning companies like Sinking Ship Entertainment and Breakthrough Entertainment. Martha is also especially proud to be an adviser for the Government of Colombia’s Ministry Of Culture’s Children Media Fund.</p><p>Martha is known for being passionate about diverse content, and representation in front of, as well as behind the screen. She is sought after for her perspectives, her creativity, and her aesthetic.</p><p>Most importantly, Martha is raising a food loving, tree hugging, confident, compassionate daughter. She spends her spare time baking cakes worthy of the Great Canadian Baking Show.</p><p>Martha has a BFA in Animation from the Savannah College of Art and Design, and a Post Graduate Diploma in Children’s Media from Centennial College.</p>

Martha Sepulveda

<p><span style="background-color: transparent;">Speed Dating For Professionals!&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent;">This is your chance to have a 10 minute one-on-one meeting with various industry experts from studios such as Guru, Headspinner, CBC, Industrial Brothers and more! </span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent;">﻿NOTE: PRE-REGISTRATION FOR MEET &amp; GREET IS REQUIRED - REGISTRATION CLOSES OCTOBER 22nd</span></p>

Meet & Greet

Alexandra Kavalova

Andrew Healey

Alan Gregg

Brandon Lane

Drew Mullin

Dave Padbury

Kirsten Hurd

Lorna Withrington

Marlene Schmidt

Michelle Melanson Cuperus

Miklos Perlus

Shannon Bishop

Shaleen Sangha

Shabnam Rezaei

Sam Chou

Todd Brian

<p><span style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9);">Marlene is a highly collaborative and creative producer experienced in producing animation &amp; live action content; pre-production through to post production. She works strategically with executive teams to identify and service production priorities. With a proven record of delivering on budget and on schedule while preserving creative integrity of the brand across multiple platforms, Marlene is also a seasoned recruiter with motivating leadership skills, excellent organizational and communication skills. She is passionate about building long term professional relationships.</span></p>