<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

Join us at 7:00PM Eastern Time on November 1st right before the event starts to get REAL COZY. This is networking gone nuts with a board game twist. Make real connections with your peers and fellow attendees! This event DOES NOT require a ticket and is open to everyone. Follow us on social for the link!

Virtual Networking Event: Let's Get Cozy!

<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.crowdcast.io/c/taafi2023/lobby">JOIN THE VIRTUAL SESSION HERE!</a> Learn how Performit Live is transforming the motion capture industry through remote capture. Learn how our groundbreaking technology is not only democratizing access to high-quality skilled performers but also slashing costs, saving time, and reducing our carbon footprint. This cool convergence of innovation and sustainability is reshaping the future of digital media creation - if you've seen the film Ready Player One, then you won't want to miss it.&nbsp;

Performit Live: Directing the Future

James Banfield

<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.crowdcast.io/c/taafi2023/lobby">JOIN THE VIRTUAL SESSION HERE!</a> METAL!&nbsp; Our good friends at DNEG Animation brought you this years’ TAAFI Summer Screening of Netflix's Nimona, and now they’re back with a very special behind-the-scenes look at the film! Bamboo Wang (Effects Lead), Johan Dekker (Motion Graphics Supervisor) and Anthony Kemp (Digital Producer) will reveal some of the magic that was cast to bring this one-of-a-kind best-selling graphic novel to life.&nbsp;If you missed out on our summer screening, you can go catch Nimona right now, exclusively on Netflix!

Sonika Bagwe

Let's Get Metal - Nimona Behind the Scenes

Anthony Kemp

Johan Dekker

Zhujun "Bamboo" Wang

<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.crowdcast.io/c/taafi2023/lobby">JOIN THE VIRTUAL SESSION HERE!</a> Jeremy McCarron, Founder and CEO of Trickfilm Entertainment will discuss the current state of the animation industry, share his vision for the "real-time" future, and take viewers on a guided tour of Trickfilm, the platform for distribution and monetization of independent animation.&nbsp;

Reimagining the Animation Industry

Jeremy McCarron

<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.crowdcast.io/c/taafi2023/lobby">JOIN THE VIRTUAL SESSION HERE!</a> As the animation industry flows through a wave of uncertainty, dive into a discussion surrounding the challenges facing creative talent today. Veteran director and former animator Kevin Micallef, and creator and designer Sunita Balsara share their advice on staying afloat and remaining resilient during trying times.

Nelvana Presents: Creative Sparks in Trying Times: Navigating Animation’s Turbulent Waters

Kevin Micallef

Melissa Graham

Sunita Balsara

Nelvana 2022

<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.crowdcast.io/c/taafi2023/lobby">JOIN THE VIRTUAL SESSION HERE!</a> The duo known as Heck reflects on their recent history as a creative studio. Michael Van Swearingen and Peter Steineck have been heavily involved in their community animation project, Hellavision Television, since 2017, and they sought to establish an in-person working space. What this endeavor led to was a creative studio with a foundation built on community efforts toward unconventional business practices. Heck discusses their experiences in starting a studio during a writers' strike and the post-pandemic online era.

Constant Yen

Heck Studio: Building a Studio on Community

Michael Van Swearingen

Peter Steineck

<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.crowdcast.io/c/taafi2023/lobby">JOIN THE VIRTUAL SESSION HERE!</a> Join Bart and Chris as they do a deep dive on their recent series Psi Cops, a cartoon about two moronic supernatural investigators. They'll be talking about what it's like to make animated TV shows after getting rejected from animation school; how to unlock the stupidest possible voices from seasoned voice actors; what it was like landing their dream job in the middle of a global pandemic, and discussing their favorite cryptids. They'll share clips from the show and recount stories about how a misfired email started the whole thing.

Joel MacKenzie

Stupidnatural - A Deep Dive with the creators of Psi Cops

Bart Batchelor

Chris Nielsen

<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.crowdcast.io/c/taafi2023/lobby">JOIN THE VIRTUAL SESSION HERE!</a> Animation fans around the world got a chance to glimpse into the marvelous future of Africa with the incredible Disney+ animated anthology series Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire. We’ll take a closer look at one of these stories, and the collaboration between Cape Town studio Triggerfish and Portfolio Entertainment that brought it to life. Join Leanne Preston (Senior Producer) Tendayi Nyeke (Executive Producer &amp; Development Executive), and Ryan Irwin (Animation Director) for a behind-the-scenes look at&nbsp; “You Give Me Heart”, a story of an unknown artist who wins a cosmic talent show and becomes the new God of Creativity!

Adriana (Vargas) Blake is a Venezuelan/American/Canadian (phew!) artist with over 10 years of experience in the animation industry as a storyboard artist and revisionist; with credits in shows such as Johnny Test, Arthur, and Magic School Bus: Rides Again among many others. She’s volunteered at TAAFI on and off throughout the years, recently becoming an official STAAFI and board member in 2021. She's a wife, mom, D&amp;D nerd, and likes mermaids and tea.

Adriana (Vargas) Blake

Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire - Behind the Scenes

Leanne Preston Cortez

Ryan Irwin

Tendayi Nyeke

Do you have an idea for an animated TV show, but you don’t know where to start? Then you'll definitely want to check out two-time Big Pitch winner Terry Ibele's "How to Create a TV Show Pitch Bible from Scratch (+ how to pitch it!)" workshop at this year's TAAFI Industry Conference! In this workshop, Terry will help guide aspiring pitchers and provide the framework to create a winning pitch bible from scratch! Over the course of two-hours, you'll learn;- All the assets needed to create a complete pitch bible- How to make connections with development executives at production studios and broadcasters- The best way to deliver your pitch with confidenceBe sure to get to the Toronto Reference Library early, because this workshop starts at 10:00am! Don't miss out!

TAIS Workshop - How to Create a TV Show Pitch Bible from Scratch (+How to Pitch It!)

Terry Ibele

Author of Ink and Paint's Mindy Johnson, the woman who literally wrote the book on the contributions of women in Animation, is coming IN-PERSON to Toronto to open our conference! A powerful speaker and visionary, Mindy's talk is one you can't miss!

Opening Keynote: Mindy Johnson

Karen Jackson

Mindy Johnson

The past year has seen tremendous changes in our industry that have affected everyone from artists to owners. However, despite this, our industry continues to persevere and grow. How are the big studios making it work? What are the risks and challenges they face? Where are the opportunities? Join us for the first in a series of talks exploring what it takes to run a successful animation business, including insights on scaling a studio from startup to success, the ABCs for competing in the big leagues, and how to stay on top of the ball through the good times and the bad. Presented by the Computer Animation Studios of Ontario.

Ben McEvoy

CASO - Surviving and Thriving

Jonas Diamond

Lori McIndoe

Matt Bishop

Ricardo Curtis

Caso

Since the dawn of the animation industry, women have always played an integral role in helping to shape the creative vision and execution of various projects– and even more recently, many have become leaders in their field, paving the way for even more talented women!&nbsp; Join trailblazing female leads Deborah A. Anderson (BlkWmnAnimator), Marge Dean (Head of Studio at Skybound Animation, Women in Animation), Mindy Johnson (Animation Historian &amp; Author), Sumira Dhawan (Head of CG, Redefine) and Shaleen Sangha (Vice President of Kids and Family Content at Boat Rocker Media) on Friday November 3rd for a roundtable discussion about the challenges women have historically faced throughout the industry, the successes of women rising to positions of leadership within animation, and the work still yet to be done to help create opportunities for women entering the workforce (and become trailblazers themselves!) We’re ecstatic to have such a wide and wonderful array of talented and awe-inspiring panelists and can’t wait to learn more!

Trailblazing Women in Animation presented by Pipeline Studios

Deborah A. Anderson

Marge Dean

Marissa Collyer

Sumira Dhawan

Shaleen Sangha

Pipeline Studios

Are you ready to transform your animation career into a fulfilling, stress-proof journey?&nbsp;At this conference, we'll shatter the myth that chronic stress is the status quo. Be inspired to integrate a set of easily accessible transformative practices seamlessly into your life at the studio. Whether you're a newcomer to the industry or a seasoned veteran, this conference is your guide to weaving well-being into your everyday work life.

Well-Being by Design: Your Blueprint for Stress-proof Animation Production (presented by The Happy Producers)

Louis-Philippe Vermette

Virginie Lavallee

As creative-types, we dream of the day we can finally produce our dream projects– though getting the proper funding for your independent film sounds like a daunting task. But worry not; for we’ve brought together the greatest team since Chocolate and Peanut Butter to share their funding stories and secrets with you! Join independent animator Tina Nawrocki (Syrenka: Legend of the Warsaw Mermaid), Cloudrise Pictures’ Denver Jackson (The Worlds Divide), and Sheridan College’s Tabitha Fisher (Hey Men!) as they explain their experiences with crowdfunding via platforms like Indiegogo and Kickstarter, acquiring grants through platforms the Canada Council for the Arts and the NFB Film Assistance Program, how they handle self-financing their projects in addition to external funding, which funding avenue is right for the film you want to make, and a sneak preview at their incredible upcoming films! We’re so excited to hear what these phenomenal independent filmmakers have in store for us!

My Indie Funding Journey

Denver Jackson

Tabitha Fisher

Tina Nawrocki

Recent animation grads, it's been a long trip just to get here, and you've finally arrived at your destination - the animation industry. But even after 3 to 4 years of studying and honing your craft, making the transition from classroom to studio can feel daunting. You're not alone! Many have taken the same steps and felt the same mixture of excitement and apprehension you're feeling now. Theresa Scandiffio is joined by Kevin Micallef, Lindsey Weeks, and Natali Topalovska, who will be sharing their own early career experiences and touch upon the unique challenges facing grads today.

Theresa Scandiffio

Mind the Gap: Navigating the Industry After Graduation presented by Sheridan College and Pipeline Studios

Lindsey Weeks

Natali Topalovska

Sheridan College

Show of hands; who’s heard of A.I. art? Well, if you’re looking to learn more about the rising trends and influence this new technology could bring to the industry, then you’re not alone! Join TAAFI co-founder and Producer (Friends &amp; Enemies) Ben McEvoy on Friday Nov. 3rd at 3:00pm - 4:00pm as he takes an incisive look at emerging trends focusing on artificial intelligence and how it’s used in the creative field, how it could continue to affect the art and animation industries, as well as the potential dangers, and powerful new tools it could provide artists. As we move forward into a new generation of technological advancement, we need to make sure we have the appropriate mindset to properly analyze and realize the potential that lies ahead– even if it seems a bit scary! (Note: This newsletter has been generated courtesy of our proprietary STAAF.A.I)Ok maybe one human. But only like 15%; I promise.

Artificial Intelligence Era

Do you have the perfect idea for an animated tv show or web series? Are you wanting to learn the ins and outs of pitching from trained professionals? Are you ready to put your ideas out there-- and in front of experienced industry professionals? Then you're in luck; as our Big Pitch is back for 2023's Industry Conference!The competition is open to Canadian residents only and finalists must be able to present their project IN-PERSON!! Prizes included for winners of the competition from Pipeline Studios! We look forward to seeing all of your amazing submissions and wish all entrants the best of luck!

The Big Pitch presented by Pipeline Studios

Aron Dunn

Hugo Van Essen

Paula Peroff

Wes Bryant

The TAAFI Industry Meet &amp; Greet is a special chance to have a 10-minute one-on-one meeting with various industry experts from around the world from such studios as Jam Filled, Wildbrain, Pipeline and more! ﻿NOTE: PRE-REGISTRATION FOR MEET &amp; GREET IS REQUIRED - REGISTRATION OPENS OCTOBER 2ND AND CLOSES OCTOBER 20TH, 2023.

Meet & Greet

Christine Thompson

D'Arcy Cooney

Holly Nichols

Mike Hunter

Mary Bredin

Phil Moorhead

Stephen Sloan

Shannon Bishop

Sabrina Riegel is a powerhouse of talent. A background in look development and visual effects as a supervisor at Disney, Pixar, Dreamworks, and Animal Logic, she now calls Toronto - and 88 Pictures - home.&nbsp;Join us for an in-depth look at Sabrina's career and get a glimpse of what you can do to follow in her footsteps.

Sabrina Harvey

Morning Coffee with Sabrina Riegel

Sabrina Riegel

What happens when a former runaway teen mom is accidentally resurrected in her family's funeral home, giving her a second chance to raise her now-teenage daughter? You get Adult Swim’s Teenage Euthanasia, of course! PFFR and Atomic Cartoons worked together to bring you the show’s second season, and we’re thrilled to say that the show’s creators, Alyson Levy and Alissa Nutting, will be coming to this year’s Industry Conference to tell us all about it, alongside Atomic Cartoons’ Patrick Paradis (Atomic’s Animation Director) and Beccs Champagne (Story Director)&nbsp; Be sure to check out both seasons of Teenage Euthanasia, starring Jo Firestone, Maria Bamford, Bebe Neuwirth, and Tim Robinson; all episodes airing now on Adult Swim!

Lana Castleman

Talkin' Bout 'Teenage Euthanasia'

Alissa Nutting

Alyson Levy

Patrick Paradis

Rebecca "Beccs" Champagne

Atomic

In the world of animation, where technology often strives for perfection, it’s important to celebrate the imperfections and the profound impact they have on the art of storytelling. The human touch is a cornerstone of animation's emotional resonance, and stop motion serves as a powerful reminder of this connection. The story of animation is incomplete without imperfections – they weave the threads of uniqueness, humanity, and innovation that define our craft. Join Dale Hayward, animator and owner of See Creature Animation, as he celebrates the rough edges of animation in this very special presentation!

Perfection is BORING!

Dale Hayward

Red Ketchup is a badass hero who works as an FBI agent. He always accomplishes his missions, even if it means collateral damage in the process. Meet the creative and production team behind the series. Learn more about the women that turned this action-packed, high-adrenaline series into a hit on AdultSwim Canada and Télétoon la nuit.

Camila Francisco

The Women Behind Red Ketchup (presented by SPHERE)

Carolina Tran-Yong

Emily Weedon

Jodi Christie

Marianne Culbert

Nicole Bauman

Think you have what it takes to be a TAAFIllionaire? Now is your chance to prove it! Join us for a mash-up of some classic TV game shows mixed with your favourite animated content. Just like a real game show, the final winner will walk away with ONE GRAND PRIZE of their choice:<ul><li>Free TAAFI for a year (includes one free pass to Film Fest 2024 and one free pass to Industry 2024)</li><li>A SurPRIZE Pack from Thunderstruck Books (valued at $250 PLUS a $50 gift certificate) </li></ul>Applications to participate are now OPEN until October 31th, 2023. Fill out this form if you’d like a chance to play:<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://forms.gle/qGjaP2y15RQe4FHUA">https://forms.gle/qGjaP2y15RQe4FHUA</a> Anyone with an Industry pass is welcome to sign up for a chance to play. Signing up does not guarantee entry. Those who have been selected will be called down to the front during the Game Show, so make sure you’re there!

GameShow - Who Wants To Be A TAAFIllionaire 

Andrew Wilk

David B. Reddick

Veronica Racanelli

Finding a balance between money matters and creativity can be challenging, especially in stressful times. So, how can we be free to do what we love and keep up with life’s responsibilities? This talk presents a view of our finances through the creative lens, focused on the basics and our imagination. We will talk about money as the concept and how personal and financial clarity can be allies in our creative journey. “Reimagining your Finances” will provide insightful perspectives around money that will empower you as a creative professional.

Reimagining Your Finances

Victoria Mateo

Not every project fits in the same box. These producers know that better than most, as their studios take on an eclectic array of work that requires them to be flexible and adaptable in how they get it done.Josh Bowen (Look Mom! Productions) is joined by Tysen Potter (Little Blackstone Studios) and Dale Hayward (See Creature Productions) for a discussion about the challenges and benefits of approaching each project as a unique opportunity to do things differently.

Creative Adaptability: Unique Solutions for Every Project 

Josh Bowen

Tysen Potter

“Way way back in early oughties…” There was a show called Clone High. It only got one season but inspired a devoted cult following that continues to this day. And now, like all the cartoons that ended too soon-- it's back and better then ever! Better yet; it's worked on by our good friends over at Jam Filled! Join us for a special in-depth look with animation director Ray Ocampo, background supervisor Brian Woods, production manager Meagan Borosch, and animation supervisor Kristin Handley, as they tell us just how they unthawed these frozen Clones and brought them back to our screens-- and our hearts!

Clone High Comes Back!

Brian Woods

Kristin Handley

Meagan Borosch

Ray Ocampo

Jam Filled

Grab a hot cup of cocoa, some cozy blankets, and curl up for a relaxing "Fireside Chat with Marge Dean" with moderator and fellow trailblazer Mary Bredin! Help us close out this year's conference with an in-depth and deeply personal look at the history behind and current state of the industry.

Fireside Chat with Marge Dean

Skybound

Learn all about Houdini 20’s new character animation features, tools and workflows – from SideFX’s in-house animator, Warren Leathem, who helped develop the toolset. From being able to pose your IK controls in an FK manner – to selection sets, animation sliders and adding dynamics to your characters – this session will focus on a viewport centric workflow for animators.

SideFX presents: Houdini's New Animation Tools

Warren Leathem

Canada enters the Spider-Verse!Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse blew audiences away with its boundary pushing imagery and animation, blending an eclectic array of styles seamlessly with dazzling results. The sequel, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, pushes the boundaries even further, thanks to a team of talented artists, including home-grown talent from right here in Canada! Now, TAAFI enters the Spider-Verse with JP Welsh, (Senior Character Animator) Sheldon Lisoy, (Compositing Lead), and Dani Devereux (Matte Painting Supervisor) as they trace the threads they spun into the multi-dimensional web of this groundbreaking animated blockbuster.

Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse Behind-the-scenes

Dani Devereux

Jane Harrison

Jean-Philippe (JP) Welsh 

Sheldon Lisoy

Sony Pictures Animation

It's Saturday night and after a long few days of learning about and being inspired by the industry's latest projects and trailblazing folks, what is there to do to keep the energy going? Why, let's all go to The Pilot (22 Cumberland Street, just off Yonge Street) as Pipeline Studios presents the TAAFI Animation Industry Networking Party! The largest Animation Industry networking party to hit Toronto since the pandemic, this event is guaranteed to connect you to the industry's best and brightest.Share some drinks, munch on some tasty grub, and mix and mingle the night away. Please note this event is 19+ as it is at a bar. ID will be checked at the door.Just like our past events, Pipeline Studios brings their A-game and will claw their way into your heart with some fun and games. See ya there!T﻿AAFI General Pass holders have access to the party included in their pass! Student passes do not give you access to this party - you must purchase a ticket using the link below: Tickets available <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/taafi-industry-conference-2023-tickets-646502144317?aff=oddtdtcreator">HERE</a>

TAAFI News

Toronto Animation Film Festival

Toronto Animation Industry Conference

Toronto Animation / VFX Job Fair

Studio Sessions

Opening Keynote: Mindy Johnson

Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse Behind-the-scenes

Wed, Nov 1st

Thu, Nov 2nd

Fri, Nov 3rd

Sat, Nov 4th

Virtual Networking Event: Let's Get Cozy!

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