FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Film Roman founder Phil Roman, DreamWorks producer Bonnie Arnold (How to Train Your Dragon 2), director David Silverman (The Simpsons, The Longest Daycare), veteran voice actor Richard Cummings (Winnie the Pooh), Gotham Group founder Donna Goldsmith-Vein, and RGH (Rubicon Group Holding) Studio to be honored at the Animation Magazine’s Summit in November.
LOS ANGELES — Animation Magazine is pleased to announce its 2014 award recipients, which will be presented at The World Animation & VFX Summit’s Opening Night Party, on November 2 at the Marina del Rey Yacht Club. This year’s six honorees selected for their contributions to the art, technology and business of animation and visual effects are:
*Â Phil Roman (Iconic animator and founder of Film Roman):Â Lifetime Achievement Award.
* DreamWorks Animation’s Bonnie Arnold (How to Train Your Dragon 2):  Feature Producer of the Year Award.
*Â Â RGH (Rubicon Group Holding):Â Breakout Studio of the Year Award.
*Â Jim Cummings(Â Winnie the Pooh) :Â Voice Talent of the Year Award.
*Â Â David Silverman (The Simpsons):Â Director of the Year Award.
* Ellen Goldsmith-Vein (Gotham Group’s Founder): Industry Angel of the Year Award
“We are thrilled to have such a distinguished group of thought leaders and visionaries at our Summit this year and glad to have them share their priceless insights about the global art and business of animation and visual effects with our attendees,” said Jean Thoren, president and publisher of Animation Magazine and founder of Animation Magazine’s Summit.
The 2014 World Animation and VFX Summit’s keynote speakers include acclaimed Producer and Director Rob Minkoff (The Lion King, Stuart Little, Mr. Peabody and Sherman), David Steinberg, Senior Vice President of Production at Nickelodeon, and Paul Babb, CEO of Maxon.
Feature Film Case Studies panels include presentations by members of Disney’s Big Hero 6 animation and VFX team. The Summit will welcome award-winning directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller (The LEGO Movie, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs), animation Co-Director/Editor Chris McKay and Cinematographer Pablo Plaisted who will be discussing the making of the beloved franchise hit, Warner Bros.’ The LEGO Movie.
On Monday (Nov. 3) some of the top-tier feature film and legal panelists will be director Tony Bancroft (Mulan, Bunyan & Babe), David Silverman (The Simpsons, The Road to El Dorado) and veteran legal professionals Jody Simon, Nancy Newhouse Porter and Gotham Agency’s Talent Manager Julie Kane-Ritsch. Director Dean DeBlois (DreamWorks’ How to Train Your Dragon 2), Paul Young, Co-Founder of Ireland’s Cartoon Saloon (Producer of Song of the Sea) and LAIKA’s Graham Annable and Anthony Stacchi (directors of The Boxtrolls) are among the luminaries of this year’s Oscar Contenders panel. Attendees can also take away tips on how to make an international film get wider exposure in the U.S. Panelists include David Jesteadt, Director of Distribution at GKIDS; Melissa Boag, Vice President of Kids and Family Entertainment at Shout! Factory; and Simon Crow, Founder and President of SC Films.
The Tuesday (Nov. 4) lineup includes a focus on television and Canadian talent and theme park entertainment. Our Innovators of the Great White North panel are Mary Bredin (Guru Studios), Rob Davies (Atomic Cartoons), Shabnam Rezai (Big Bad Boo) and Vince Commisso (9 Story Entertainment). We then move to Mattel’s Julia Pistor, Rough Draft’s Claudia Katz and Family Guy producer Kara Vallow who will discuss their everyday challenges, victories and strategies for success. The Summit’s 21st Century Tools of the Trade panelists include: CelAction President Andy Blazdell, Proof Inc.’s Founder and Chief Creative Officer Ron Frankel, Pixeldust’s Founder and President Ricardo Andrade, Ghost Town Media’s Creative Director Brandon Parvini and Flickerlab Founder and Creative Director Harold Moss. Acclaimed former Disney animator Glen Keane (Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Tangled), Production Designer Max Keane and Technical Project Lead Rachid E Guerrab discuss the making of Google’s beautiful new 2D animated short Duet.
Tuesday’s lineup also features a timely look at some of this year’s exciting new theme park technologies. Panelists are Richard Taylor (Media Director of Themed Entertainment at RGH), Daren Ulmer (President and Chief Creative at Mousetrappe) and Frank Drucker (Head of Broadcast Production at All Things Media).
Tickets are now available for purchase at www.animationmagazine.net/summit. Members of Animation Guild, ASIFA, OBS, VES, WGA and WIA will receive a 10% discount on tickets. Full package VIP badge includes admission to :
• Opening night Gala party and Awards Ceremony with a catered buffet
• Full Yacht Club buffet breakfast, catered buffet luncheon in the private dining area with VIP guests for both days.
• Access to all seminars
• Networking Cocktail reception for both days.
For more information, contact Nancy Bates, Nancy@animationmagazine.net
