The fifth Women in Animation World Summit is almost here. JusticeRx’s Amma Y. Ghartey-Tagoe Kootin, Ph.D. and Marvel Studios’ Victoria Alonso will be among the virtual event’s participants, a press release announced. Viewable to Women in Animation (WIA) members and attendees of the Annecy International Animation Festival and Mifa 2021 from June 14-June 19, the theme of this year’s Summit is “The Business Case for Diversity.” The general public will be able to view the Summit on the WIA website and YouTube beginning June 20.

“At the last four Summits, WIA built shared vocabulary around diversity, inclusion, belonging and equity. As a global community, the organization traversed monumental paradigm shifts, challenges, and opportunities this past year including racial equity, a global pandemic, a rise in discriminatory violence and strong headwind toward inclusivity,” said WIA President Marge Dean. “As WIA marks its fifth Summit at Annecy, it’s important to ensure that our global WIA community continue to learn from each other and share not only the business imperative for DEI, but also the successes and failures we’ve all had in trying to move forward.”

Kootin will deliver the Summit’s Keynote Address, “Stories Matter,” discussing the role stories have in how we see ourselves and others. She will also talk about her creative work and its ties to narrative change and the African diaspora. Alonso is set to participate in a fireside chat, sharing her take on the economic advantages of inclusion on both sides of the camera.

The Summit’s other offerings include a Meet the Artist video featuring Monica Ahanonu, who created the artwork for the event, and panels focusing on greenlighting projects from diverse perspectives and African creators in animation.

“The business case is not just that diversity, equity, and inclusion are good for business empirically (they are), but that we each as businesses and individuals have a part to play in making change,” said WIA Secretary/DEI Chair Julie Ann Crommett. “Many companies, organizations, and industries have committed to doing better — seizing the case for DEI. We get further faster by being more transparent with each other, more transparent as an industry, and truly building a global community of practice and thought leadership. Our hope is this Summit begins to model what transparency and action can and should be in our industry.”

WIA recently launched a Talent Database, a searchable tool that pools international talent from throughout the animation profession, including women, trans, and non-binary individuals. The platform currently has over 5,000 candidates.

The full Summit program is below, courtesy of Women in Animation. You can find out more at the WIA or Annecy Fest websites.

Welcome from WIA

WIA President Marge Dean and CITIA CEO Mickaël Marin welcome viewers along with Triggerfish CEO Stuart Forrest and Senior Producer Vanessa Sinden as WIA’s official partner for the 2021 Women in Animation World Summit.

Keynote Address: Stories Matter by Amma Y. Ghartey-Tagoe Kootin, Ph.D.

• Introduction: Julie Ann Crommett, WIA Secretary/DEI Chair and Founder and CEO, Collective Moxie; Equity and Inclusion Strategist
• Speaker: Amma Y. Ghartey-Tagoe Kootin, Ph.D., Lead Artist of AT BUFFALO: A New Musical & Vice President of Creative Affairs, JusticeRx
• Keynote Description: Narratives and stories have a direct impact on how we perceive ourselves, the world and each other. Join Dr. Amma as she shares insights and connections between her creative work, narrative change and the African diaspora.

Panel: Alternative Career Paths and Opportunities for Talent

• Moderator: Jinko Gotoh, WIA Vice President and Producer, Netflix
• Speakers: Meredith Dean (Clinical Program Director, The Animation Project), Allison Frenzel (Arts, Media, and Entertainment Education Programs Specialist, California Department of Education), Corinne Kouper (SVP Development & Production, TeamTO; Co-Founder, ECAS; Co-President, LFA), Carina Lücke (Director, Triggerfish Foundation (PBO)) and Arnon Manor (Visual Effects Society Board Member and Chair of its Education Committee)
• Panel Description: Attending art school and obtaining a degree is a privilege not afforded to all. This panel discusses how to challenge the status quo and create alternative career opportunities, especially for diverse talent.

Panel: Greenlighting Diverse Voices

• Moderator: Janet Wu, Director of Original Animated Film, Netflix
• Speakers: Peter Gal (Chief Creative Officer, Television for DreamWorks Animation), Jessica Julius (Vice President, Creative Development, Walt Disney Animation Studios), Ramsey Naito (President, Nickelodeon Animation Studio), Karen Rupert Toliver (Executive Vice President, Creative, Sony Pictures Animation), Sarah Victor (Head of Development, Crunchyroll)
• Panel Description: The need to tell and hear representational stories from a more diverse range of storytellers has never been more important. This panel of seasoned content decision-makers shines a light on the importance of making stories from underrepresented communities, the need for authenticity in front of and behind the camera, and a behind-the-scenes look at the path to greenlight. 

Video: Meet the Artist

This year’s Women in Animation World Summit featured artist Monica Ahanonu talks about her involvement in the project, and her inspiration for the artwork.

Panel: African Creators in Animation presented by Triggerfish

• Moderator: Vanessa Sinden, Senior Producer, Triggerfish
• Speakers: Omotunde Akiode (Writer, Story Editor), Kelly Dillon (Creator, KIYA), Ng’endo Mukii (Director, Writer), Malenga Mulendema (Creator, Mama K’s Team 4), Tendayi Nyeke (Development Executive, Triggerfish), Orion Ross (Vice President, Original Programming, Animation, Disney EMEA)
• Panel Description: A conversation with leading African women taking center stage with shows they have created, written, and are currently directing. 

Featurette: Mentoring and Making a Difference Around the World

An inspiring featurette that offers a glimpse into WIA’s history and successful global mentoring program.

A Fireside Chat with…Victoria Alonso

• Moderator: Julie Ann Crommett, WIA Secretary/DEI Chair and Founder and CEO, Collective Moxie; Equity and Inclusion Strategist
• Speaker: Victoria Alonso, Executive Vice President, Production at Marvel Studios
• Panel Description: Victoria Alonso shares her perspective on the economic power of diversity in front of and behind the camera, and its impact on storytelling and success. 

Video Compilation: Women in Creative Leadership

A visual collection of short stories from some of the world’s leading animation studios highlighting women in creative roles. Participating studios include Aardman, Animal Logic, Chromosphere, Crunchyroll, Disney Junior and Disney Television Animation, DreamWorks Animation, The Gotham Group, Illumination, Industrial Light & Magic, Lucasfilm, Netflix, Nexus Studios, Nickelodeon Animation Studio, Paramount Animation, ReelFX Animation, Skydance Animation, Sony Pictures Animation, Stoopid Buddy Stoodios, TED-Ed, Warner Animation Group and WarnerMedia, including Cartoon Network Studios, Warner Bros. Animation and Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe.

Closing from WIA

A closing message expressing gratitude from WIA’s President Marge Dean.