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

Toronto Animation Film Festival

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

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

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

Toronto Animation Industry Conference

<h3>Where</h3>Online<h3>When</h3>November 18-22, 2020﻿

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

Toronto Animation / VFX Job Fair

TAAFI News

With new streamers popping up everywhere competing for new content and animation thriving during lockdowns – how is Canada primed to succeed in the rapidly evolving world of Prime Time animation?

The Changing Landscape of Canadian Prime Time Animation

Jennifer Griffiths is an executive director at Big Jump Entertainment. Her scope of work encompasses production and development as well as studio operations. Her passions include marketing and most importantly, employee wellness. She plays an integral role in Big Jump’s Artists First Initiatives and is also thrilled to welcome hundreds of burgeoning new Artists to Big Jump Entertainments Co-op Program every year! Jen would like to recognize her magnificent creative teammates Allecia Robb (who’s tireless enthusiasm aids in improving the Co-op program at every turn!), and All the Artists and Leadership Team at Big Jump Entertainment, without whom, Jennifer would not be having such a wonderful time; and to whom she owes all her thanks and respect! Jennifer is an internationally recognized marketer. She was recently thrilled to project manage the animated special of One Day at a Time and produced the animated special of Black-ish, with Big jump Entertainment and Smiley Guy Studios.&nbsp;(Photography: Sherry Welden Photography)

Jennifer Griffiths is an executive director at Big Jump Entertainment. Her scope of work encompasses production and development as well as studio operations. Her passions include marketing and most importantly, employee wellness. She plays an integral role in Big Jump’s Artists First Initiatives and is also thrilled to welcome hundreds of burgeoning new Artists to Big Jump Entertainments Co-op Program every year! Jen would like to recognize her magnificent creative teammates Allecia Robb (who’s tireless enthusiasm aids in improving the Co-op program at every turn!), and All the Artists and Leadership Team at Big Jump Entertainment, without whom, Jennifer would not be having such a wonderful time; and to whom she owes all her thanks and respect! Jennifer is an internationally recognized marketer. She was recently thrilled to project manage the animated special of One Day at a Time and produced the animated special of Black-ish, with Big jump Entertainment and Smiley Guy Studios.&nbsp;

Jennifer Griffiths 

Jennilee Murray is the producer on Netflix’s new adult animation, Inside Job.Before joining Jam Filled Entertainment, she wore many hats: illustrator, self-published author, actor, scriptwriter, dog collector and squirrel enthusiast.&nbsp;Jennilee is known for her work on DC's Superhero Girls shorts, CBC’s Kingdom Force, Mattel’s WellieWishers and most recently, Netflix’s Inside Job.

Jennilee Murray

Mike Valiquette: he/him, settler, middle-aged man-honky, optimist, director, producer, creative development exec, and designer who has won some awards, worked for many big fancy clients and teaches at Seneca College in Toronto. He maintains a small boutique studio, Go Lucky, and the long-running Canadian animation resource site, Cartoon North. Mike believes in raising up our fellow humans, evening the playing field, and that stories are important.

Mike Valiquette: he/him, settler, middle-aged man-honky, optimist, director, producer, creative development exec, and designer who has won some awards, worked for many big fancy clients and teaches at Seneca College in Toronto. He maintains a small boutique studio, Go Lucky, and the long-running Canadian animation resource site, Cartoon North. Mike believes in raising up our fellow humans, evening the playing field, and that stories are important.

Mike Valiquette

Mike Barth has been part of the animation industry for over 15 years and is best known for directing Donald Sutherland’s Pirate’s Passage. In addition, he has&nbsp;animation directed many animated series such as Pinky Malinky, DC’s Superhero Girls (reboot), Final Space and Netflix’s newly released Inside Job.

Mike Barth has been part of the animation industry for over 15 years and is best known for directing Donald Sutherland’s Pirate’s Passage. In addition, he has&nbsp;animation directed many animated series such as Pinky Malinky, DC’s Superhero Girls (reboot), Final Space and Netflix’s newly released Inside Job.

Mike Barth

Sheridan College

Join leaders in animation from Canada and the Commonwealth Caribbean state of Guyana to discuss the tools needed to build Guyana, South America as a creative and digital arts and animation hub. The panel will offer an opportunity for studios and creative groups in the Caribbean to understand the inner workings of animation production and studio building while preserving and demonstrating their rich cultural experiences for a global audience. It will also offer young Caribbean animators and studios to connect with Canadian experts to strengthen cross-cultural partnerships.

Building New Animation Ecosystems in Guyana

Dorielle Retemyer is an animator, writer and digital artist. Born in Guyana,&nbsp;Dorielle moved to Canada and is a Seneca College graduate in Arts and Animation. She worked on projects such as the animated episode of the hit sitcom One Day at a Time which aired on Pop TV. Dorielle also did work in animation production for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) and other animation studios in Toronto. Together with the Guyana Animation Network she is actively involved in the development of the animation and digital arts in Guyana.

Dorielle Retemyer

Jubilanté Joanna Cutting is a Youth Leader in Guyana and the Commonwealth who is championing ICT, technology, animation and digital media skills-training and employment opportunities. As founder of the Guyana Animation Network (GAN) Inc, Jubilanté pioneers, facilitates and manages cross-cultural, skills-training and service delivery opportunities for children, youth and young adults. She consults experts, professionals and stakeholders within the Digital and Creative Technology Industries in Guyana, the Caribbean and international markets to remain relevant. Her organization's work has appeared before Her Majesty the Queen of England, Graça Machel, Kofi Annan and Mary Robinson.She is a trained lawyer with corporate, civil, commercial and criminal law experience. She uses research strategy to develop and create ecosystems through a cross sectional approach of the law, business and technology initiatives that empower youths and prepare them for the future ICT, technology, STEAM and creative economy. As an award-winning innovator and the CEO of a budding studio venture, GAN Studios, Jubilanté is committed to developing animation and digital arts solutions that will transform youths into innovators and entrepreneurs in their world.

Jubilanté Cutting

Martin A. R. Massiah is a business development consultant and innovative problem solver with almost eight years of diverse hands-on leadership experience. With his network at Massiah Capital, he has coordinated and produced 2D and 3D animated assets for the gold mining industry and the energy sector. His projects range from basic character model design to industrial process animation. Most recently he has hinted at developing either his first video game or manga influenced by his Caribbean heritage.&nbsp;

Martin Massiah

Mark Jones is the Chair of the School of Creative Arts and Animation at Seneca College in Toronto, a department with over 1300 students in programs such as interactive media, graphic design, documentary filmmaking, music and acting, animation, gaming, and visual effects. He has worked as producer for many award-winning animated short films, and is a founding board member of The Toronto Animation Arts Festival International (TAAFI). In 2019, Mark was author of the study “The Ontario College Survey for Screen Industry Workforce Development” for the Heads of Media, Art, and Design. He holds an M.A. in Communication and Culture from Ryerson and York Universities.&nbsp;

Mark Jones is the Chair of the School of Creative Arts and Animation at Seneca College in Toronto, a department with over 1300 students in programs such as interactive media, graphic design, documentary filmmaking, music and acting, animation, gaming, and visual effects. He has worked as producer for many award-winning animated short films, and is a founding board member of The Toronto Animation Arts Festival International (TAAFI). In 2019, Mark was author of the study “The Ontario College Survey for Screen Industry Workforce Development” for the Heads of Media, Art, and Design. He holds an M.A. in Communication and Culture from Ryerson and York Universities.

Mark Jones

Robert Reid is the Animation Specialist, the Office of the Prime Minister in Jamaica. He works on a project funded by the World Bank aimed at positioning Jamaica to participate in the global animation industry. Under the project, he organizes the <a href="https://kingstoonfest.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">KingstOOn Animation Festival</a>.&nbsp;Robert also organized several training initiatives to equip Jamaican educators and animators with the tools to allow better fit into the labour market. On the demand side, he is involved in the organization of Jamaican delegations to major markets where local studio executives and producers were able to market their products and services.

Robert Reid is the Animation Specialist, the Office of the Prime Minister in Jamaica. He works on a project funded by the World Bank aimed at positioning Jamaica to participate in the global animation industry. Under the project, he organizes the <a href="https://kingstoonfest.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.04); color: rgb(63, 81, 181);">KingstOOn Animation Festival</a>.&nbsp;Robert also organized several training initiatives to equip Jamaican educators and animators with the tools to allow better fit into the labour market. On the demand side, he is involved in the organization of Jamaican delegations to major markets where local studio executives and producers were able to market their products and services.

Robert Reid

Seneca College

Back by popular demand, Hanna Daigle is moderating the indie panel. With friends Zach Bellissimo, Tara Billinger and a few other tasty surprises. The gang will talk all things indie in the world. What's new, and where your eyes should be!

Indie Cartoons the Panel

Ashley Nichols is an American animator and director. Some of her animation credits include: TOO LOUD, Hazbin Hotel (Pilot), Ollie &amp; Scoops, and Lackadaisy. Ashley is the creator of the highly anticipated animated horror-comedy series Far-Fetched, as well as the creator of the popular podcast Hunicast.

Ashley Nichols is an American animator and director. Some of her animation credits include: TOO LOUD, Hazbin Hotel (Pilot), Ollie &amp; Scoops, and Lackadaisy. Ashley is the creator of the highly anticipated animated horror-comedy series Far-Fetched, as well as the creator of the popular podcast Hunicast.

Ashley Nichols

Dave Capdevielle is an American writer, director, musician &amp; voice actor. He is the co-creator of the highly anticipated animated horror comedy series Far-Fetched, as well as the co-writer of the hugely successful Hazbin Hotel pilot episode. He has lent both his writing &amp; voice to several independent animated productions, produced various live-action film &amp; music projects &amp; is the host of both his own podcast: Terribly Titled Talks &amp; horror VHS show: Creature Cassette.

Dave Capdevielle is an American writer, director, musician &amp; voice actor. He is the co-creator of the highly anticipated animated horror comedy series Far-Fetched, as well as the co-writer of the hugely successful Hazbin Hotel pilot episode. He has lent both his writing &amp; voice to several independent animated productions, produced various live-action film &amp; music projects &amp; is the host of both his own podcast: Terribly Titled Talks &amp; horror VHS show: Creature Cassette.

Dave Capdevielle

Hannah Daigle is an animator, comic artist, and co-member of ScumHouse Studios. She's most notably the creator and showrunner of Satina, a web series about a half-human half-demon hellspawn and her human dad, but she and ScumHouse have a bunch of other cartoons in the works, too!

Hannah Daigle

Lopside AnimationTara Billinger and Zach Bellissimo are the creators of Long Gone Gulch, an independently produced, fully animated 20 minute pilot. Funded through Kickstarter, this was a true passion project that took five years and brought industry professionals and prolific freelancers together. They have since founded Lopside Animation and plan to create more original animated projects (like Dark Dark Dark) while working full time in the animation industry.&nbsp;Tara Billinger is currently the art director for the new Clone High series on HBOmax.&nbsp;She’s also worked as a character designer, writer and storyboard artist for Disney's Mickey Mouse shorts, The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse and also did designs for the Disneyworld ride Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway.&nbsp;

Tara Billinger

Lopside AnimationTara Billinger and Zach Bellissimo are the creators of Long Gone Gulch, an independently produced, fully animated 20 minute pilot. Funded through Kickstarter, this was a true passion project that took five years and brought industry professionals and prolific freelancers together. They have since founded Lopside Animation and plan to create more original animated projects (like Dark Dark Dark) while working full time in the animation industry.&nbsp;Zach Bellissimo is currently a director on Victor and Valentino at Cartoon Network.&nbsp;He’s also worked as storyboard artist on Teen Titans Go, did character designs on Rick &amp; Morty and worked as an animator on Motorcity and Superjail.&nbsp;

TAAFI News

Toronto Animation Film Festival

Toronto Animation Industry Conference

Toronto Animation / VFX Job Fair

Indie Cartoons the Panel

Ashley Nichols, Animator, Freelance

Dave Capdevielle, Co-Creator, Far-Fetched

Hannah Daigle, Creator of Satina, ScumHouse Studios

Tara Billinger, Art Director, Clone High

Zach Bellissimo, Co-Creator, Long Gone Gulch