Tickets are available for purchase on the newly launched conference website.
Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) will host a first-of-its-kind event in the Middle East, Sharjah Animation Conference, from May 3-5, 2023, at the Sharjah Expo Center, in partnership with Italy’s Bergamo Animation Days (BAD) festival.
Anime fans, industry professionals, and aspiring animators will all benefit from a range of masterclasses at the upcoming three-day conference.
The conference seeks to harmonise the interplay of nostalgia and modernity, inviting both the creators of cherished childhood cartoon characters and contemporary animated personalities to converge in a celebration of this art form. The conference is set to have an extensive line-up of Oscar, Emmy and Annie winners to give masterclasses.
With 12 masterclasses on offer, attendees will have the opportunity to glean insights from a roster of experts in various animation fields, for those seeking to expand their knowledge and hone their craft in the ever-evolving world of animation.
Speaking about the conference, Khoula Al Mujaini, SAC Executive Director, said: “The Sharjah Animation Conference is a truly unique event for the region that aims to provide a comprehensive platform for individuals who are passionate about animation to connect with the industry’s best, learn from them, and network with like-minded individuals. Our primary goal is to empower participants and help them develop their skills, and gain valuable insights into the latest trends and techniques of the animation industry. By bringing together enthusiasts and professionals from all over the world, we hope to foster new collaborations and partnerships, and promote innovation and creativity in the industry. Through this event, we hope to inspire the next generation of animators and encourage them to pursue their passions and make a difference in the industry.”
Pietro Pinetti, SAC Artistic Director, added: “Our goal for the inaugural Sharjah Animation Conference is to provide attendees with a 360-degree view of the animation world. We’ve invited a truly world-class and diverse group of artists and professionals with different approaches to showcase the various styles and techniques used in animation production.”
To kick things off, Oscar-winning John Nevarez, a renowned figure in the animation industry with more than 25 years of experience at animation giants like Disney, Pixar and Sony Pictures Animation, will present the masterclass ‘My Journey In The Animation Industry’. Attendees will gain insight into Nevarez’s personal experience, tracing his journey from humble beginnings to notable projects, and learn about his work in various areas, including 2D animation, storyboarding, and concept art. Nevarez will also share his creative process and provide tips and tricks for budding animators and artists.
Sandro Cleuzo, an Annie Award-winning 2D animator and character designer, known for such works as Mary Poppins Returns, The Iron Giant, Fantasia 2000 and Tarzan, will present ‘The Art Of Animation’. In this masterclass, he will share his career journey and work experiences, starting in 1985 at just 15 years of age, working at Walt Disney Feature Animation and going on to work at Sony, Paramount and Netflix Animation. Attendees will learn the creative process behind character design, animation techniques, and storytelling.
Takahiro Yoshimatsu, most famously known for Dragon Ball Z, Overlord, Vampire Hunter D, and Hunter X Hunter, will present ‘Exploring The Creative Process Behind Innovative Anime Projects’.
‘Behind The Scenes: Creating Award-Winning Tv Series With Blue Zoo’ will be presented by Oli Hyatt, the founder and MD of the BAFTA-winning production house, Blue Zoo. In this masterclass, Hyatt will provide case studies of their latest projects and insights into the creative process behind developing a successful TV series.
Emmy award-winner, Mario Brioschi, compositor and VFX supervisor for blockbuster hits such as Avengers: Infinity Wars, Wonder Woman and Star Trek: Beyond, will present ‘House Of The Dragon’, a masterclass focused on the importance of compositing and lighting in creating an immersive viewing experience. Attendees of this masterclass will gain insight into Brioschi’s work on the acclaimed TV series House of the Dragon and learn about his techniques for achieving stunning visual effects.
‘Mamoru Yokota – My Life’ will feature a character designer and animation director for Death Note, Naruto Shippuden, One Piece and Macross Frontier to name a few. Through showcasing some of his previous works, including being the animation director for the Blazblue: Continuum Shift II arcade game, he will discuss his creative process, techniques, and the challenges he faced during his career, as well as the importance of character design and its impact on storytelling in anime.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to learn from Pascal Charrue, CEO of Fortiche, during the masterclass ‘Arcane – League of Legends,’ where he will reveal the creative process behind the popular animated series.
For ‘The Invisible Craft of Character Design: Unveiling the Creative Process,’ renowned character designer Wouter Tulp, who started his career as an illustrator for newspapers and children’s books, will share his vast knowledge and experience on the subject of character design.
Multiple award-winning author, director and creative director Giorgio Scorza, Co-Founder and CEO of Movimenti Production, will discuss the potential of animation beyond its traditional association with children’s entertainment in The power of animation for adult audiences.
For over 25 years, Frank Falcone has been bringing film and television projects to life as an animator, director and executive producer. As the President and Executive Creative Director of the Guru Studio, Falcone will provide insights into the creative and business aspects of developing successful children’s shows that resonate with audiences worldwide during ‘How To Build An IP – Case Histories From Guru!’
Aaron Gilman, CEO of Steamroller Animation will share his personal journey through the Animation Industry during his masterclass A journey into the career of an animator.
Finally, Robin Linn, a respected Artist, Director of Animation, Recruiter and most notably, Artist Manager in the industry, will teach participants how to increase their chances of landing a job in animation and gaming studios during the masterclass ‘How To Increase Your Odds Of Landing A Job In Animation & Gaming.’
