Women in Animation (WIA) has announced the launch of the WIA Global Fund as part of its long-held mission to achieve greater gender parity within the animation industry. According to a press relase, the fund will particularly help support WIA’s 50/50 by 2025 initiative, which aims to increase the amount of women in creative leadership roles in the next six years.
Founded in 1995, WIA is dedicated to supporting women in the animation industry. According to the org’s mission statement, WIA “envisions a world where women share equally in the creation, production, and rewards of animation, and we provide resources and connections to make it happen.”
The WIA hopes to raise at least $1 million by the third quarter of 2020 via the Global Fund, and with the help of major studios, animation companies, and private donors, has already received more than $500,000. The Walt Disney Company has demonstrated some of the strongest support with a collective contribution of $100,000. Other major donors include Netflix and Sony Pictures Animation/Sony Pictures Imageworks.
WIA President Marge Dean has spoken in favor of the new support for the organization. “While we are grateful to our dedicated volunteerism that has gotten us this far, we know that greater financial support will allow more sustainable operations in order to achieve our goal of 50/50 by 2025 at the global level,” she said.
Financial support from the WIA Global Fund will allow for international expansion in the areas of the WIA’s mentorship programs, chapter development, and World Summit programs. The Global Fund will also aid in the creation of virtual member communities, a talent database, and better classroom-to-career support.
Sponsored by the founding donors of the WIA Global Fund, the third Women in Animation World Summit will take place on June 10, in conjunction with the Annecy International Film Festival and Mifa 2019. The symposium of panels and discussions at this year’s World Summit will explore the theme of “Belonging.”
Donors interested in contributing to the Global Fund should go to WIA’s website.
