


SPARK ANIMATION 2024
IGNITE YOUR PASSION, SPARK YOUR CREATIVITY, GET CONNECTED
October 31 - December 31, 2024
THE CELEBRATIONS CONTINUE WITH SPARK ON-DEMAND AND THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY UNTIL THE END OF THE YEAR
SPARK ON-DEMANDFor More Info and Registrations >>
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Check below for our remaining community events, artist alley, masterclass and screenings for 2024. Check often, as more will be added.
WELCOME
SPARK ANIMATION is Western Canada's largest celebration of animation, offering a dynamic mix of screenings, insightful Q&As, talks, and masterclasses led by industry experts. The festival also features community events and an Artist Alley, creating a space for creative professionals and fans to connect, learn, and be inspired by the best in global animation.
Important Dates
- Film Festival: 31 October – 3 November
- Conference: 2 – 3 November
- Exhibition: 2 – 3 November
- Spark On-Demand: 4 November – 31 December
- Special Presentation: 15 + 30 November
- Masterclass: 16 November
- Artist Alley: 16 November
- Community Events: Throuhgout November and December
Note: Schedule under construction. Times, offers, and admissions are subject to change without notice. Please sign up for our newsletter for the latest updates.
SCHEDULE
Thursday
Thursday - October 31, 6:00 PM
PASS
SUPER PASS
Regular: $300 (incl. GST + transaction fees)
The Super Pass gives access to all Film Programs, Production Sessions, Masterclass and SPARK ON DEMAND.
Thursday - October 31, 6:30 PM
FEATURE FILM
SAVAGES
2024 // Switzerland · France · Belgium // Dir.: Claude Barras // 87 min // G
Original title: Sauvages
Language: In French; with English subtitles
Advisory: Violence
Premiere status: Canadian Premiere
Regular: $15 (incl. GST + transaction fees)
Remaining tickets available at the door.
In Borneo, at the edge of the tropical forest, Keria is given a baby orangutan that has been rescued from the oil palm plantation where her father works. At the same time, her young cousin Selaï has come to live with them, seeking refuge from the conflict between his nomadic family and the logging companies.
Together, Keria, Selaï, and the little ape will battle the destruction of their ancestral forest home, which is now under greater threat than ever. However, for Keria, the fight will also allow her to discover the truth about her origins.
VENUE: |
VIFF Centre · Vancity Theatre 1181 Seymour St · Vancouver · BC · V6B 3M7 |

Community Partner

‘Savages’ ©2024 GOODFELLAS. All Rights Reserved.


Thursday - October 31, 8:45 PM
SHORT FILMS
MADE IN CANADA + Q&A
Rating: 19+
Regular: $10 (incl. GST + transaction fees)
Remaining tickets available at the door.
Immerse yourself in the bold and imaginative world of Canadian filmmaking with this dynamic collection of short films. Ranging from stories about our history to dystopian visions of the future, these films capture Canada’s creative spirit. Get ready for a cinematic journey that will surprise, inspire, and leave you wanting more!
This screening will be followed by a Q&A with attending filmmakers.
- Transferable // 2024 // Canada // Dirs.: Jacob Gardner, David Hubert // 8 min
- The Little Ancestor // 2024 // Canada // Dir.: Alexa Tremblay-Francoeur // 11 min
- Time Space Love // 2024 // Canada // Dir.: Marie-Louise Gariépy // 15 min
- Mythforce // 2024 // Canada // Dir.: Jesse Lee Davidge // 5 min
- World Naked Bike Tour // 2024 // Canada // Dir.: William Bradford // 9 min
- Detours Ahead // 2024 // Canada // Dir.: Esther Cheung // 8 min
- Door to Door: A Loogaland Cartoon // 2024 // Canada // Dir.: Jake Brassard // 14 min
- Happy Campers // 2024 // Canada // Dir.: Gordon Mihan // 9 min
- Rally // 2023 // Canada // Dir.: Santiago Menghini // 10 min
- Happiness // 2024 // Canada // Dir.: Nil Yurdakul // 4 min
- Firmware // 2023 // Canada // Dir.: Calvin Sander Romeyn // 23 min
VENUE: |
VIFF Centre · Vancity Theatre 1181 Seymour St · Vancouver · BC · V6B 3M7 |


‘Transferable’ ©2024 Agora Studio. All Rights Reserved.
Friday - November 1, 3:00 PM
FEATURE FILM
HITPIG!
2024 // UK · Canada // Dirs.: David Feiss, Cinzia Angelini // 85 min // PG
Language: In English
Advisory: Violence
Premiere Status: World Premiere
Regular: $5 (incl. GST + transaction fees)
Remaining tickets available at the door.
Hitpig (Jason Sudeikis) is a clever pig who makes a living catching escaped animals and returning them to their owners. His next job is his biggest yet: return a dancing elephant named Pickles (Lilly Singh) to a maniacal Vegas showman (Rainn Wilson) for a million bucks. When the mission goes sideways, Hitpig must realize that no amount of money is worth losing his newfound friends.
VENUE: |
VIFF Centre · Vancity Theatre 1181 Seymour St · Vancouver · BC · V6B 3M7 |

‘Hitpig!’ ©2024 Aniventure Hitpig, Ltd. All Rights Reserved.


Friday - November 1, 4:45 PM
PRESENTATION
THE GLOBE HOPPING ADVENTURES OF A BOUNTY HUNTER: HITPIG!
Presented by Aniventure
with Alex Parkinson & David Feiss · moderated by Warren Franklin
Regular: $5 (incl. GST + transaction fees)
Remaining tickets available at the door.
ATTENTION: NEW DATE + TIME!
The wildly successful cartoonist Berkley Breathed (Bloom County and Outland) now brings us his newest adventure, Hitpig! based on his New York Times bestseller Pete & Pickles. Join Director David Feiss (Skype) and Cinesite VFX Supervisor Alex Parkinson (in person) as they guide you through the unique artistic journey from concept to the final film in Aniventure's newest animated adventure comedy film. They will share insights into the art, technology, and intricacies behind Hitpig!’s witty humour, thrilling adventures, and a touching story about friendship and self-discovery. Along the way, you’ll learn that sometimes what we want isn’t what we need.VENUE: |
VIFF Centre · Vancity Theatre 1181 Seymour St · Vancouver · BC · V6B 3M7 |


‘Hitpig!’ ©2024 Aniventure Hitpig Ltd. All Rights Reserved.


Friday - November 1, 6:30 PM
FEATURE FILM
WALLACE & GROMIT: VENGEANCE MOST FOWL + Q&A
2024 // UK // Dir.: Nick Park, Merlin Crossingham // 79 min // 19+
Language: English
Advisory: TBC
Premiere status: Canadian Premiere
with Merlin Crossingham & Nick Park
Regular: $15 (incl. GST + transaction fees)
Unclaimed tickets will be released 5 minutes before start.
Aardman’s four-time Academy Award-winning director Nick Park and Emmy Award-nominated Merlin Crossingham return with a brand-new epic adventure, Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl. In this next installment, Gromit’s concern that Wallace is becoming too dependent on his inventions proves justified when Wallace invents a "smart" gnome that seems to develop a mind of its own. When it emerges that a vengeful figure from the past might be masterminding things, it falls to Gromit to battle sinister forces and save his master... or Wallace may never be able to invent again!
VENUE: |
VIFF Centre · Vancity Theatre 1181 Seymour St · Vancouver · BC · V6B 3M7 |

‘Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Foul’ ©2024 Netflix. All Rights Reserved.


Friday - November 1, 6:40 PM
FEATURE FILM
OVERFLOW: WALLACE & GROMIT: VENGEANCE MOST FOWL
2024 // UK // Dir.: Nick Park, Merlin Crossingham // 79 min // 19+
Language: English
Advisory: Not rated
Premiere status: Canadian Premiere
Regular: $15 (incl. GST + transaction fees)
Remaining tickets available at the door.
Please note that this additional screening does not include a Q&A.
Aardman’s four-time Academy Award-winning director Nick Park and Emmy Award-nominated Merlin Crossingham return with a brand-new epic adventure, Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl. In this next installment, Gromit’s concern that Wallace is becoming too dependent on his inventions proves justified when Wallace invents a "smart" gnome that seems to develop a mind of its own. When it emerges that a vengeful figure from the past might be masterminding things, it falls to Gromit to battle sinister forces and save his master... or Wallace may never be able to invent again!VENUE: |
VIFF Centre · Lochmaddy Studio Theatre 1181 Seymour St · Vancouver · BC · V6B 3M7 |

‘Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Foul’ ©2024 Netflix. All Rights Reserved.


Friday - November 1, 9:00 PM
FEATURE FILM
MEMOIR OF A SNAIL + Q&A
2024 // Australia // Dir.: Adam Elliot // 94 min // 19+
Language: English
Advisory: N/A
Premiere status: BC Premiere
with Adam Elliot
Regular: $15 (incl. GST + transaction fees)
Remaining tickets available at the door.
Grace Pudel (voiced by Sarah Snook) is a lonely misfit with an affinity for collecting ornamental snails and an intense love for books. At a young age, when Grace is separated from her twin brother Gilbert (Kodi Smit-McPhee), she falls into a spiral of anxiety and angst.
Despite a continued series of hardships, inspiration and hope emerge when Grace strikes up an enduring friendship with an elderly eccentric woman named Pinky (Jacki Weaver), who is full of grit and lust for life.
VENUE: |
VIFF Centre · Vancity Theatre 1181 Seymour St · Vancouver · BC · V6B 3M7 |

‘Memoir of a Snail’ ©2024 Mongrel Media. All Rights Reserved.
Saturday - November 2, 9:00 AM
PRESENTATION
ULTRAMAN: RISING - REIMAGINING AN ICON
Presented by Netflix
with John Aoshima & Shannon Tindle · moderated by Keith Blackmore
Regular: $20 (incl. GST + transaction fees)
Remaining tickets available at the door.
Join Writer-Director Shannon Tindle, Co-Director John Aoshima, Production Designer Marcos Mateu Mestre, and Art Director Sunmin Inn as they dive deep into the passion, heart, and artistry behind reimagining a legendary character. Learn how this visionary team blended breathtaking animation with human storytelling to re-envision this iconic character for audiences new and old.
VENUE: |
VIFF Centre · Vancity Theatre 1181 Seymour St · Vancouver · BC · V6B 3M7 |


‘Ultraman: Rising’ ©2024 Netflix. All Rights Reserved.


Saturday - November 2, 9:30 AM
NETWORKING
EXHIBITION
VENUE: |
VIFF Centre · Lobby 1181 Seymour St · Vancouver · BC · V6B 3M7 |
FREE.
Featuring Bardel Entertainment! Meet with recruiters and top creative talent to discuss opportunities currently offered at the studio.
BARDEL ENTERTAINMENT
Bardel Entertainment Inc. is an Emmy Award®-winning studio with over 30 years of industry-leading experience. Bardel's reputation has been built on three core values: quality, creativity, and innovation. Bardel has two state-of-the-art studios located in Vancouver, Canada.
Currently, Bardel provides animation services for a diverse slate of blue-chip clients, including Netflix, Disney+, Cartoon Network/Adult Swim, Nickelodeon, and Amazon.
With Emmy Award-winning and top audience hit series such as The Dragon Prince, Rick and Morty, Teen Titans Go!, and Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Bardel attracts award-winning technical and animation talent from around the world. Bardel consistently embraces collaborations that inspire growth and creativity while always valuing and nurturing talented artists.
Bardel is committed to delivering only the highest quality content.
Hiring Facility: Vancouver.
Visa Restrictions: BC residents only.
Social Media: Facebook · Instagram · LinkedIn · Twitter



Saturday - November 2, 10:40 AM
PRESENTATION
WELCOME TO LUMBRIA: A LOOK AT THE MAKING OF SPELLBOUND
Presented by Skydance Animation
with Brett Nystul, Nick Bakker & Vicky Jenson · moderated by Justin Marmulak
Regular: $20 (incl. GST + transaction fees)
Remaining tickets available at the door.
Join Director Vicky Jenson, Production Designer Brett Nystul and Story Artist Nick Bakker as they break down the castle walls of the kingdom of Lumbria and explore the artistry, storytelling and magic of Spellbound, an original fairytale take on a modern story.
VENUE: |
VIFF Centre · Vancity Theatre 1181 Seymour St · Vancouver · BC · V6B 3M7 |


‘Spellbound’ ©2024 Netflix. All Rights Reserved.


Saturday - November 2, 10:40 AM
PRESENTATION
THE MAKING OF PLAY AGAIN
Presented by Microsoft
with Brady Bonser, Gabriel Agustin Freire, Hilary Smith, Marcéu Lobo & Zen Pace · moderated by TBA
Regular: $5 (incl. GST + transaction fees)
Unclaimed tickets will be released 5 minutes before start.
Play Again is an original animated short film from Xbox that explores themes of connection, grief, and friendship through stunning 3D and 2D animation. In this presentation, writer and director Zen Pace, animation director Gabriel Agustin Freire, art director Marcéu Lobo, and producers Brady Bonser and Hilary Smith will share their creative process, challenges, and achievements in making the film.
They will also share behind-the-scenes footage, concept art, and sketches that illustrate how they brought their vision to life.
VENUE: |
VIFF Centre · Lochmaddy Studio Theatre 1181 Seymour St · Vancouver · BC · V6B 3M7 |


‘Play Again’ ©2024 Microsoft. All Rights Reserved.


Saturday - November 2, 11:30 AM
FEATURE FILM
THE SLOTH LANE + AN ALMOST CHRISTMAS STORY + Q&A
2024 // Australia // Dir.: Tania Vincent & Co-Dir.: Ricard Cussó // 89 min // G
Language: English
Advisory: no advisory
Premiere status: Canadian Premiere
Regular: $10 (incl. GST + transaction fees)
Remaining tickets available at the door.
After a terrifying storm destroys their home, a speedy sloth named Laura and her kooky family move to the big city in their rusted old food truck, hoping to make their business a success.
The family’s delicious food catches the eye of a quick-witted cheetah named Dotti, who will stop at nothing to revive her failing fast-food business, Zoom Fuel.
The screening will be preceded by the Canadian premiere of An Almost Christmas Story. Directed by David Lowery and written by Alfonso Cuarón, the film tells the story of Moon, a curious young owl who finds herself trapped in a Christmas tree destined for Rockefeller Plaza in New York City.
VENUE: |
The Cinematheque 1131 Howe Street · Vancouver · BC · V6Z 2L7 |

‘The Sloth Lane’ ©2024 Like A Photon Creative Pty Ltd. All Rights Reserved.


Saturday - November 2, 12:20 PM
PRESENTATION
FROM CONCEPT TO FINAL FILM: BRINGING THE GORGEOUS MOVIE THE WILD ROBOT TO LIFE
Presented by DreamWorks Animation
with Jeff Budsberg & Raymond Zibach · moderated by Keith Blackmore
Regular: $20 (incl. GST + transaction fees)
Unclaimed tickets will be released 5 minutes before start.
The task in making any animated film is keeping the final film looking as fresh and original as the concept art that inspired it. DreamWorks Animation’s newest animated feature, The Wild Robot (written and directed by Chris Sanders), not only achieved that but also brought us a groundbreaking new visual approach to CG animation. With its impressionistic designs and swooping camera work, there has never been an animated movie that reflects the world in quite this way.
Join Production Designer Raymond Zibach and VFX Supervisor Jeff Budsberg as they explore how the creative team combined storyboards, the script, concept art, models, and stunning visual effects to create a gorgeously captivating and emotional story—a true winner.
VENUE: |
VIFF Centre · Vancity Theatre 1181 Seymour St · Vancouver · BC · V6B 3M7 |


‘The Wild Robot’ ©2024 DreamWorks Animation LLC. All Rights Reserved.


Saturday - November 2, 12:20 PM
PRESENTATION
BEHIND SPICE FRONTIER: A PEEK INTO A SAVOURY ADVENTURE
Presented by Steamroller Animation
with Aaron Gilman & Jalil Sadool · moderated by TBA
Regular: $5 (incl. GST + transaction fees)
Unclaimed tickets will be released 5 minutes before start.
Join Jalil Sadool and Aaron Gilman, co-owners of Steamroller Studios, as they look back on the exciting journey of creating their new animated pilot, Spice Frontier: Escape From Veltegar.
This thrilling science fiction adventure sees Kent Williams, a human chef, and his alien companions exploring the galaxy over two hundred years after Earth’s destruction in search of the lost ingredients of human cuisine.
VENUE: |
VIFF Centre · Lochmaddy Studio Theatre 1181 Seymour St · Vancouver · BC · V6B 3M7 |


‘Spice Frontier’ ©2024 Steamroller Animation. All Rights Reserved.


Saturday - November 2, 1:45 PM
FEATURE FILM
SUNBURNT UNICORN + Q&A
2024 // Canada // Dir.: Nick Johnson // 81 min // G
Language: English
Advisory: violence; may frighten young children
Premiere status: BC Premiere
Regular: $10 (incl. GST + transaction fees)
Remaining tickets available at the door.
Lost in an endless desert, an injured teenager adopts the identity of a mythical Unicorn to survive surreal encounters and rescue his father from the Cactus King.
VENUE: |
The Cinematheque 1131 Howe Street · Vancouver · BC · V6Z 2L7 |

‘Sunburnt Unicorn’ ©2024 NMS Releasing Inc. All Rights Reserved.


Saturday - November 2, 2:00 PM
PRESENTATION
EDITING INSIDE OUT 2: THE BIG CHANGES
Presented by Pixar Animation
with Maurissa Horwitz · moderated by Justin Marmulak
Regular: $20 (incl. GST + transaction fees)
Remaining tickets available at the door.
Editing is the language of film. Through editing, we can control the order, duration, and frequency of events, thus shaping the narrative and influencing the audience’s perception of time. Join us as Lead Editor Maurissa Horwitz shares her insights into the dynamic creative work in shaping Inside Out 2 for it to become the highest-grossing animated feature of all time. Maurissa will take you on a deep dive into the choices that brought the alarm scene to life, as well as the new emotions that were lost along the way. Discover the Joy (and Anxiety) of editorial!
VENUE: |
VIFF Centre · Vancity Theatre 1181 Seymour St · Vancouver · BC · V6B 3M7 |


‘Inside Out 2’ ©2024 Disney•Pixar. All Rights Reserved.


Saturday - November 2, 2:00 PM
PRESENTATION
ANIMATING LIFE'S FRAGILE MOMENTS IN MEMOIR OF A SNAIL
with Adam Elliot · moderated by Ken Priebe
Regular: $5 (incl. GST + transaction fees)
Unclaimed tickets will be released 5 minutes before start.
Join Academy Award-winning director Adam Elliot (Harvie Krumpet, Mary and Max) as he takes us behind the scenes of his latest stop-motion feature film, Memoir of a Snail.
Known for his distinctive style and deeply emotional storytelling, Elliot's work has captivated audiences worldwide by blending humour, heartache, and humanity. In this engaging talk, Elliot will share his creative process, offering insights into the painstaking craft of stop-motion animation. He will explore the film's themes of isolation, perseverance, and identity and discuss the unique challenges of bringing his whimsical yet poignant characters to life.
Don't miss this rare opportunity to hear directly from one of the animation industry's most distinctive voices.
VENUE: |
VIFF Centre · Lochmaddy Studio Theatre 1181 Seymour St · Vancouver · BC · V6B 3M7 |


‘Memoir of a Snail’ ©2024 Mongrel Media. All Rights Reserved.


Saturday - November 2, 3:40 PM
PRESENTATION
MORE THAN MEETS THE HEART: A TRANSFORMATIVE DIALOGUE WITH DIRECTOR JOSH COOLEY
Presented by Paramount Animation
with Josh Cooley · moderated by Keith Blackmore
Regular: $20 (incl. GST + transaction fees)
Remaining tickets available at the door.
In this intimate, transformative conversation, Academy Award-winning director Josh Cooley joins us for a Fireside Chat that will be more than meets the EAR. Josh will share insights into his newest animated feature, Transformers One, as well as his creative process, his experience bringing iconic stories to life, and the reasons why he’s been trying to contact you about your vehicle’s extended warranty. Don’t miss this chance to hear a distinguished, iconic living legend and one of the industry’s top directors babble on about gobbledegook.
VENUE: |
VIFF Centre · Vancity Theatre 1181 Seymour St · Vancouver · BC · V6B 3M7 |


‘Transformers One’ ©2024 Paramount Animation. All Rights Reserved.


Saturday - November 2, 3:40 PM
PRESENTATION
THE CREATIVE JOURNEY BEHIND TRANSFERABLE
Presented by Agora Studio
with David Hubert & Jacob Gardner · moderated by TBA
Regular: $5 (incl. GST + transaction fees)
Remaining tickets available at the door.
Join Agora Studio Co-Directors Jacob Gardner and David Hubert for an exclusive deep dive into the making of the studio's first short film, Transferable. This behind-the-scenes session offers an intimate look at the creative journey, from early story development and character design to the meticulous work that went into shaping performances and bringing the narrative to life.
Explore how the team carefully crafted every element of the film, including its cinematography, music, and sound design, to create a captivating and immersive experience.
VENUE: |
VIFF Centre · Lochmaddy Studio Theatre 1181 Seymour St · Vancouver · BC · V6B 3M7 |


‘Transferable’ ©2024 Agora Studio. All Rights Reserved.


Saturday - November 2, 5:20 PM
PRESENTATION
WAYFINDING NEW WATERS: THE MAKING OF MOANA 2
Presented by Walt Disney Animation
with Behzad Mansoori-Dara, David Derrick Jr. & Kevin Webb · moderated by Keith Blackmore
Regular: $20 (incl. GST + transaction fees)
Remaining tickets available at the door.
Join the creators behind Moana 2 as they share footage from the upcoming sequel and provide a detailed look at how the new adventure was shaped, step by step. You’ll learn how the story evolved, highlighting the art, animation, and voice work that continues to build upon Moana’s iconic journey.
VENUE: |
VIFF Centre · Vancity Theatre 1181 Seymour St · Vancouver · BC · V6B 3M7 |


‘Moana 2’ ©2024 Disney. All Rights Reserved.


Saturday - November 2, 5:20 PM
PRESENTATION
CELEBRATING THE CAREER OF TORILL KOVE
Presented by the National Film Board of Canada
with Torill Kove
Regular: $5 (incl. GST + transaction fees)
Unclaimed tickets will be released 5 minutes before start.
Academy Award-winning director Torill Kove is known for her deeply personal storytelling and whimsical animation, blending heart, humour, and cultural reflection.
In this intimate conversation, we celebrate the director’s formidable career, from her early films and her Oscar-winning short The Danish Poet to her latest film Maybe Elephants. This retrospective offers a unique insight into her creative process, influence, and contribution to the world of animation.
VENUE: |
VIFF Centre · Lochmaddy Studio Theatre 1181 Seymour St · Vancouver · BC · V6B 3M7 |


‘Maybe Elephants’ ©2024 Mikrofilm/NFB. All Rights Reserved.


Saturday - November 2, 7:00 PM
SHORT FILMS
MOTHERS OF AN ARTFORM
Rating: PG
Advisory: violence; may frighten young children
Regular: $10 (incl. GST + transaction fees)
Remaining tickets available at the door.
Celebrate the brilliance and innovation of female filmmakers in this inspiring showcase. From captivating narratives to breathtaking animation, these films spotlight the power of women's voices in cinema.
The program will open with the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award to Torill Kove, honouring her remarkable contributions to animation and storytelling. Fellow Canadian filmmakers David Fine and Alison Snowden will present the prize.
The screening will be followed by a Q&A with attending filmmakers.
- Maybe Elephants // 2024 // Canada // Dir.: Torill Kove // 17 min
- The Danish Poet // 2006 // Canada // Dir.: Torill Kove // 15 min
- Have I Swallowed Your Dreams // 2024 // Canada // Dir.: Clara Chan // 6 min
- Brain Damage // 2023 // Australia // Dir.: Lauren Edmonds // 4 min
- Pear Garden // 2024 // Germany // Dir.: Shadab Shayegan // 7 min
- Colour Me Pink // 2024 // Ireland // Dir.: Anika O'Hagan-Ploug // 3 min
- Wild Animal // 2024 // USA // Dir.: Tianyun Lyu // 13 min
- Percebes // 2024 // France // Dirs.: Alexandra Ramires, Laura Gonçalves // 11 min
- Zone Blanche // 2024 // France // Dirs.: Maria Minaeva, Carole Naegelen, Marie-Ange Lombard, Marie-Lys Mathias, Enola Pardon, Sarah Bernu // 6 min
- The Sun is Bad // 2023 // USA // Dir.: Rachel Mow // 3 min
- Magical Doomsday Horsegirls of the Apocalypse // 2024 // USA // Dirs.: Abbie Bacilla, Andrea Schmitz // 1 min
- The Wedding Veil of the Proud Princess // 2024 // UK // Dir.: Anna-Ester Volozh // 7 min
- The Other Side // 2023 // USA // Dir.: Niki Lopez // 8 min
VENUE: |
VIFF Centre · Vancity Theatre 1181 Seymour St · Vancouver · BC · V6B 3M7 |


‘Have I Swallowed Your Dreams’ ©2024 Flying Dumpling Films. All Rights Reserved.


Saturday - November 2, 9:00 PM
FEATURE FILM
(S)KIDS + Q&A
2024 // Canada // Dir.: Les Solis // 86 min // 19+
Language: English
Classification: Not Rated
Advisory: TBC
Premiere Status: North American Premiere
Regular: $15 (incl. GST + transaction fees)
Remaining tickets available at the door.
Featuring songs from the viral Vancouver-based band Rare Americans, this animated punk-rock musical is the first animated feature film for Crooked City Studios and Solis Animation.
Set in 1993, (S)KiDS follows a group of disaffected teens navigating their last year of high school as they uncover a dark truth about their Principal.
VENUE: |
VIFF Centre · Vancity Theatre 1181 Seymour St · Vancouver · BC · V6B 3M7 |

‘(S)KiDS’ ©2023 Crooked City Studios. All Rights Reserved.
Sunday - November 3, 9:00 AM
PRESENTATION
UNWRAPPING THE MAGIC BEHIND THAT CHRISTMAS
Presented by Locksmith Animation
with Dave Edwardz, Estelle Costedoat & Simon Otto · moderated by David Burgess
Regular: $20 (incl. GST + transaction fees)
Remaining tickets available at the door.
Join Director Simon Otto (Love, Death + Robots, How to Train Your Dragon), Head of Layout Dave Edwardz, and Animation Lead Estelle Costedoat as they unwrap the magic behind Netflix' new animated feature That Christmas. Based on the charming trilogy of children's books by beloved multi-award-winning writer-director Richard Curtis (Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill, Love Actually, Yesterday), discover how the team brought Richard Curtis’ beloved holiday stories to screen with heartwarming storytelling and dazzling animation.
VENUE: |
VIFF Centre · Vancity Theatre 1181 Seymour St · Vancouver · BC · V6B 3M7 |


‘That Christmas’ ©2024 Netflix. All Rights Reserved.


Sunday - November 3, 10:40 AM
PRESENTATION
DICE TSUTSUMI'S FIRST VENTURE INTO STOP MOTION: BOTTLE GEORGE
Presented by Tonko House
with Daisuke 'Dice' Tsutsumi · moderated by Jeff Chiba Stearns
Regular: $20 (incl. GST + transaction fees)
Remaining tickets available at the door.
Award-winning studio Tonko House brings us yet another compelling short film: Bottle George, a stop-motion animated short film about the darkness of addiction and the strength of family. Join Tonko House co-founder and director Dice Tsutsumi as he shares his journey and screens his latest animated short film, Bottle George, in collaboration with Japanese comedian Akihiro Nishino and Japan's leading stop-motion studio, Dwarf.
VENUE: |
VIFF Centre · Vancity Theatre 1181 Seymour St · Vancouver · BC · V6B 3M7 |


‘Bottle George’ ©2024 Tonko House. All Rights Reserved.


Sunday - November 3, 10:40 AM
PRESENTATION
ANIMATION CHOICES: MATCHING STORY WITH STYLE
Presented by Dirty Work Factory
with Faga Melo · moderated by TBA
Regular: $5 (incl. GST + transaction fees)
Unclaimed tickets will be released 5 minutes before start.
In a landscape filled with diverse animation techniques, how do you choose the best one for your story? In this talk, director Faga Melo explores how to determine the right technique for your narrative. He offers insights on aligning creative vision with the appropriate animation style, helping you make informed decisions to ensure your story resonates effectively with your audience.
VENUE: |
VIFF Centre · Lochmaddy Studio Theatre 1181 Seymour St · Vancouver · BC · V6B 3M7 |


‘TBA’ © 2024 Dirty Work Factory LTDA. All Rights Reserved.


Sunday - November 3, 12:20 PM
PRESENTATION
THE MAKING OF WATCHMEN CHAPTER 1
Presented by Warner Bros. Animation
with Brandon Vietti · moderated by Marina Antunes
Regular: $20 (incl. GST + transaction fees)
Remaining tickets available at the door.
Known as the Citizen Kane of the comic world, Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons’ Watchmen is a masterpiece of the medium. Join Warner Bros. Animation Director Brandon Vietti as he showcases how he kept true to the original source material and, in doing so, made Watchmen Chapter 1 one of the most faithful adaptations of the iconic comic book series.
VENUE: |
VIFF Centre · Vancity Theatre 1181 Seymour St · Vancouver · BC · V6B 3M7 |


‘Watchmen Chapter 1’ ©2024 Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc. & Paramount Pictures Corp.
All Rights Reserved.


Sunday - November 3, 12:20 PM
PRESENTATION
SECRETS OF THE DESERT: MAKING SUNBURNT UNICORN
Presented by Nick Johnson and Squid Brain Studios
with Diana Kaarina, Nick Johnson, Scott Ormsby & Tiffany Ayalik
Regular: $5 (incl. GST + transaction fees)
Unclaimed tickets will be released 5 minutes before start.
How did Sunburnt Unicorn, a low-budget, indie co-production from Alberta and BC, find its way to a world premiere in Annecy, France? Join director Nick Johnson and his production team as they discuss how they explored themes to create an original story with iconic characters and how innovative technology was used to create an expansive world that was finished on time and on budget.
They will share insight on designing characters for 3D, the production schedule and pipeline of a studio, even shining a light on the unique score by PIQSIQ. Featuring team members from across the production who brought Sunburnt Unicorn to life, visit this special presentation to uncover all the secrets of this bizarre and uplifting film.
VENUE: |
VIFF Centre · Lochmaddy Studio Theatre 1181 Seymour St · Vancouver · BC · V6B 3M7 |


‘Sunburnt Unicorn’ ©2024 NMS Releasing, Inc. All Rights Reserved.


Sunday - November 3, 12:30 PM
FEATURE FILM
DOUNIA: THE GREAT WHITE NORTH
2023 // Canada // Dirs.: André Kadi, Marya Zarif // 51 min // G
Original title: Dounia : Le grand pays blanc
Language: In French; with English subtitles
Advisory: no advisory
Premiere status: Western Canadian Premiere
Regular: FREE
Rush tickets available at the door.
In Dounia: The Great White North, follow Dounia and her grandparents as they settle into life in Canada. As they explore the country‘s seasons, food, and languages, they experience a blend of cultures: Dounia‘s Syrian roots, Rosalie‘s Quebecois heritage, and Miguizou‘s Indigenous background.
Amidst this, Dounia copes with the trauma of war and her father‘s absence. Guided by Kukum, Miguizou‘s grandmother, Dounia learns to call her father with her heart, leading to their emotional reunion after his release from prison.
VENUE: |
MONTALBANO FAMILY THEATRE · VANCOUVER PUBLIC LIBRARY 8th Floor · 350 W Georgia St · Vancouver · BC · V6B 6B1 |

Community Partner


‘Dounia: The Great White North’ ©2023 Stobo Studio. All Rights Reserved.


Sunday - November 3, 2:00 PM
SHORT FILMS
NOT JUST FOR KIDS
Rating: G
Advisory: Violence
Regular: FREE
Rush tickets available at the door.
Bring the whole family to enjoy this playful and heartwarming collection of films for audiences of all ages! Featuring imaginative stories, stunning animation, and unforgettable characters, this program proves that great storytelling transcends age. Whether young or young at heart, everyone will leave with a smile and a sense of wonder!
- Atomic Chicken // 2023 // France // Dirs.: Thibault Ermeneux, Lucie Lyfoung, Solène Polet, Capucine Prat, Morgane Siriex, Anna Uglova // 5 min
- Dream // 2023 // USA // Dir.: Aaron Blaise // 2 min
- Freelance // 2024 // Denmark // Dirs.: Luciano A. Muñoz Sessarego, Magnus I. Møller, Peter Smith // 3 min
- Eureka! // 2024 // Belgium // Dir.: Kris Borghs // 10 min
- Happy New Year // 2023 // Japan // Dir.: Saki Muramoto // 3 min
- Dinosaurus // 2024 // Canada // Dirs.: Antoine Berteloot, Chengcheng Zhang, Cléa Urruty, Ivan Olarte, Louis Prats, Marie Wsevolojsky, Maxence De Bon, Timour Plekhoff // 3 min
- Tennis, Oranges // 2024 // USA // Dir.: Sean Pecknold // 11 min
- How to Make a Friend // 2024 // France // Dirs.: Jinfei Ge, Bin He, Myrtille Huet, Julie Jarrier-Stettin, Yuqiang Zhang // 7 min
- The Mooning // 2024 // USA // Dirs.: Mason Klesch, Vivian Osness // 3 min
- The Ones Who Never See the Moonlight // 2024 // France // Dirs.: Solène Marché, Lou Thoby, Tom Saurel, Evelyne Philippart, Marie Fantini, Amélie Soto // 7 min
- Tabby McTat // 2023 // UK // Dirs.: Jac Hamman, Sarah Scrimgeour // 25 min
VENUE: |
MONTALBANO FAMILY THEATRE · VANCOUVER PUBLIC LIBRARY 8th Floor · 350 W Georgia St · Vancouver · BC · V6B 6B1 |


‘The Ones Who Never See the Moonlight’ ©2024 École MoPA. All Rights Reserved.


Sunday - November 3, 2:00 PM
PRESENTATION
LEGENDARY SCALES: THE VFX OF HOUSE OF THE DRAGON
Presented by Wētā FX
with Jason Snyman · moderated by Zoe Cranley
Regular: $20 (incl. GST + transaction fees)
Remaining tickets available at the door.
Wētā FX Animation Supervisor Jason Snyman most recently finished working on Season 2 of House of the Dragon, joining Blacks' legion by bringing to life Seasmoke and Vermithor. In this “Dragon School,” Jason will cover how artists referenced a range of animals to achieve the realistic airborne physicality of the dragon's movements. Also, Jason will show how to achieve the emotional depth of range in these immense beasts through facial animation.
VENUE: |
VIFF Centre · Vancity Theatre 1181 Seymour St · Vancouver · BC · V6B 3M7 |


‘House of the Dragon’ ©2024 Warner Bros. All Rights Reserved.


Sunday - November 3, 2:00 PM
FEATURE FILM
THE DAY THE EARTH BLEW UP: A LOONEY TUNES MOVIE + Q&A
2024 // USA // Dir.: Peter Browngardt // 87 min // 19+
Advisory: TBC
Premiere Status: Canadian Premiere
Regular: $5 (incl. GST + transaction fees)
Unclaimed tickets will be released 5 minutes before start.
Porky Pig and Daffy Duck star as unlikely heroes and Earth's only hope when facing the threat of alien invasion.
In this buddy-comedy of epic proportions, our heroes race to save the world, delivering all the laugh-out-loud gags and vibrant visuals that have made the Looney Tunes so iconic, but on a scope and scale yet to be experienced.
VENUE: |
VIFF Centre · Lochmaddy Studio Theatre 1181 Seymour St · Vancouver · BC · V6B 3M7 |


'The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie' ©2024 Warner Bros. Animation. All Rights Reserved.


Sunday - November 3, 3:40 PM
PRESENTATION
INSIDE THE GAME: ADVANCE SCREENING AND BEHIND-THE-SCENES LOOK AT WIN OR LOSE
Presented by Pixar Animation
with Carrie Hobson · moderated by Keith Blackmore
Regular: $20 (incl. GST + transaction fees)
Remaining tickets available at the door.
ATTENTION: NEW TIME!
Be the first up to bat to watch TWO full episodes of Pixar’s first-ever original series, Win or Lose. Followed by a "Making of" presentation by Carrie Hobson, one of the series directors, get a special inside baseball look at how this unique series came to be. Not to be missed.VENUE: |
VIFF Centre · Vancity Theatre 1181 Seymour St · Vancouver · BC · V6B 3M7 |


‘Win or Lose’ ©2024 Disney•Pixar. All Rights Reserved.


Sunday - November 3, 4:00 PM
SHORT FILMS
MESSAGES OF CHANGE
Rating: G
Advisory: Course language
Regular: FREE
Rush tickets available at the door.
Experience a showcase of powerful animated films that inspire conversation and spark action. Each project in this program delivers a compelling social impact message, addressing pressing issues from around the globe through the artistry of animation.
Be prepared to be moved, challenged, and inspired by these creative voices using their craft to make a difference.
- Non // 2023 // France // Dirs.: Camille Bardaud, Tianying Zhang, Xiaoning Niu, Julie Sibille, Yanfeng Niu // 5 min
- Play Again // 2023 // USA // Dir.: Zen Pace // 12 min
- 17 O'Clock // 2024 // North Macedonia // Dir.: Flaka Kokolli // 10 min
- See You on the Other Side // 2023 // South Korea // Dir.: Haeji Jung // 9 min
- Foodlosslla // 2024 // Japan // Dir.: Takashi Yamasaki // 1 min
- Father's Letters // 2024 // France // Dir.: Alexey Evstigneev // 12 min
- My Ruff Day - Petco Love Episode 1 // 2024 // USA // Dir.: Syafiq Jaafar // 2 min
- Canelo Film // 2023 // Mexico // Dirs.: Jordi Ayguasenosa, David Calderón // 5 min
- Jasmine // 2024 // USA // Dir.: Tom Caulfield // 2 min
- A Small Garden by the Window // 2024 // South Korea // Dir.: Jonghoon Lee // 5 min
- Hitori // 2024 // Japan // Dir.: Ajisa // 11 min
- Acrobats // 2024 // France // Dirs.: Eloïse Alluyn, Hugo Danet, Anna Despinoy, Antonin Guerci, Alexandre Marzin, Shali Reddy // 7 min
VENUE: |
MONTALBANO FAMILY THEATRE · VANCOUVER PUBLIC LIBRARY 8th Floor · 350 W Georgia St · Vancouver · BC · V6B 6B1 |


‘Play Again’ ©2023 Microsoft. All Rights Reserved.


Sunday - November 3, 4:00 PM
FEATURE FILM
MIYAZAKI: SPIRIT OF NATURE
2024 // France // Dir.: Leo Favier // 82 min // 19+
Original title: Miyazaki, L'Esprit de la Nature
Language: English, Japanese, French
Advisory: TBC
Premiere Status: Canadian Premiere
Regular: $5 (incl. GST + transaction fees)
Unclaimed tickets will be released 5 minutes before start.
For over 50 years, Hayao Miyazaki has captivated audiences with films like My Neighbour Totoro, Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, and his latest, The Boy and the Heron. His work spans eleven feature films, short films, manga, and the creation of Studio Ghibli, a museum, and a theme park.
Miyazaki’s films often reflect the world’s turmoil—wars and ecological crises—drawing from his own life. Through rare archival footage and insights from collaborators like his son Gorō Miyazaki and producer Toshio Suzuki, we gain a closer look at this enigmatic, tireless artist and his deeply ecological body of work.
VENUE: |
VIFF Centre · Lochmaddy Studio Theatre 1181 Seymour St · Vancouver · BC · V6B 3M7 |

'Miyazaki, Spirit of Nature' ©2024 BALANGA. All Rights Reserved.


Sunday - November 3, 7:00 PM
SHORT FILMS
SPARK ANIMATION CELEBRATION
Rating: 19+
Regular: $15 (incl. GST + transaction fees)
Remaining tickets available at the door.
Join us as we honour the year's standout achievements in animation! The evening will feature the presentation of the festival awards, selected by the Festival Jury, recognizing excellence across a range of categories, followed by a special screening of select award-winning films.
It's a night to celebrate the best in animation, showcasing the creativity, innovation, and passion of artists from around the world.
- In the Shadow of the Cypress // 2023 // Iran // Dirs.: Hossein Molayemi, Shirin Sohani // 19 min
- Maybe Elephants // 2024 // Canada // Dir.: Torill Kove // 17 min
- Razor Ruckus // 2024 // Canada // Dir.: APPI // 7 min
- Hairy Legs // 2024 // Canada // Dir.: Andrea Dorfman // 17 min
- 47 // 2024 // Dir.: Paulo Garcia // 6 min
- Potatoes // 2024 // Poland // Dir.: Marcin Podolec // 4 min
- Mum's Spaghetti // 2023 // UK // Dir.: Lisa Kenney // 11 min
- Hero // 2024 // Brazil // Dir.: Paulo Garcia // 3 min
- Rabbits Have Red Eyes // 2024 // South Korea // Dirs.: Yoonsun Lee, Jiwon Choi // 4 min
- Control | Juno Hero Trailer // 2024 // USA // Dir.: Brian K Horn // 4 min
VENUE: |
VIFF Centre · Vancity Theatre 1181 Seymour St · Vancouver · BC · V6B 3M7 |


‘In the Shadow of the Cypress’ ©2023 Barfak Studio. All Rights Reserved.


Sunday - November 3, 9:15 PM
FEATURE FILM
THE COLOURS WITHIN
2024 // Japan // Dir.: Naoko Yamada // 100 min // 19+
Original title: きみの色 (Kimi no iro)
Language: In Japanese; with English subtitles
Advisory: TBC
Premiere status: Canadian Premiere
Regular: $15 (incl. GST + transaction fees)
Remaining tickets available at the door.
Totsuko is a high school student with the ability to see the 'colours' of others. Colours of bliss, excitement, and serenity, plus a colour she treasures as her favourite. Kimi, a classmate at her school, gives off the most beautiful colour of all.
Although she doesn’t play an instrument, Totsuko forms a band with Kimi and Rui, a quiet music enthusiast they meet at a used bookstore in a far corner of town. Music brings them together as they practice at an old church on a remote island, forming friendships and stirring affection. Will they discover their true ’colours‘?
VENUE: |
VIFF Centre · Vancity Theatre 1181 Seymour St · Vancouver · BC · V6B 3M7 |

‘The Colours Within’ ©2024 GKIDS. All Rights Reserved.
Monday - November 4, 12:01 AM
PASS
SPARK ON-DEMAND
For more information about the online programs available this year or to purchase tickets or passes, visit SPARK ON-DEMAND on Eventive.org:
Read More >>
Friday - November 8, 7:00 PM
SHORT FILMS
AFTER DARK
Presented by UBC Film Society
UBC Film Society Members: FREE
General Public: $5
* Tickets available at the door.
Step into the bold and provocative world of animation with this program dedicated to adult animation that pushes boundaries and defies expectations. Featuring daring storytelling, striking visuals, and mature themes, these films explore the darker, edgier side of animation.
Not for the faint of heart, this collection promises an unforgettable, late-night experience that's as thrilling as it is thought-provoking.
This program is presented in partnership with the UBC Film Society.
Screening is open to the public, but advance tickets are not available.
- Sublime // 2024 // France // Dirs.: Marie Heribel, Candice Yernaux, Juliette Buysschaert, Camille Leroy, Joséphine Vendeville, Martin Laurent, Lucas Foutrier // 8 min
- Broken // 2024 // USA // Dir.: Patrick Smith // 4 min
- The Monster // 2023 // South Korea // Dirs.: Ruby Yang, Bomin Kim // 5 min
- Lunar Data Vault // 2024 // France // Dirs.: Amandine Bonnanfant, Candice Germé, Florian Guérin-Loury, Guillaume Hochart, Kylian Marques, Freire Florian Marteil, Léonard Mariotte, Adèle Petillot, Pablo Rybaltchenko, Mario Serra, Angelo Teixeira // 3 min
- Layla // 2024 // France // Dirs.: Oscar Baron, Emma Ferréol, Rachel Gitlevich, Diego H. Blanco, Narda Rodríguez, Lucille Reynaud // 6 min
- Beautiful Men // 2024 // Belgium // Dir.: Nicolas Keppens // 19 min
- Pakal // 2024 // Mexico // Dir.: Juan Carlos Galindo // 1 min
- Claw // 2023 // France // Dirs.: Lucas Ferrer, Ayoub Chaibi, Marianne Dautheville, Chloe Ferrus, Thomas Petroni, Melissa Saba, Dylan Sayagh, Alizée Valenzuela, Florian Wagner // 6 min
- Les Bêtes // 2024 // USA // Dir.: Michael Granberry // 12 min
- Hero // 2024 // Brazil // Dir.: Paulo Garcia // 3 min
- Ruthless Blade // 2023 // China // Dir.: Bo Zhang // 12 min
- When the Chamois are Quiet // 2024 // France // Dirs.: Anna Bourgoin, Kenza Ghilas, Mahaut de Kerleau, Lucie Donadio, Daisy Haig, Margot de Susanne d'Epinay // 7 min
- Freelance // 2024 // France // Dirs.: Luciano A. Muñoz Sessarego, Magnus I. Møller, Peter Smith // 3 min
VENUE: |
Normand Bouchard Memorial Theatre · Student Union Building 6138 Student Union Blvd #130 · Vancouver · BC · V6T 1Z1 |


‘When the Chamois are Quiet’ ©2024 ECOLE MoPA. All Rights Reserved.
Tuesday - November 12, 5:00 PM
SHORT FILMS
MADE IN CANADA, VOL 2
Presented by SFU SIAT and PCCA
Rating: G
Advisory: Violence, nudity
FREE
Tickets are available on Eventbrite and at the door.
Canada has long been a powerhouse in the world of animation, and this collection of Canadian-made short films continues that proud tradition.
- Transferable // 2024 // Canada // Dirs.: Jacob Gardner, David Hubert // 8 min
- The Little Ancestor // 2024 // Canada // Dir.: Alexa Tremblay-Francoeur // 11 min
- M. L'espérance // 2024 // Canada // Dir.: Chantale Boulianne // 9 min
- World Naked Bike Tour // 2024 // Canada // Dir.: William Bradford // 10 min
- The Wolf // 2024 // Canada // Dir.: Theodore Ushev // 10 min
- Ma Mao // 2024 // Canada // Dir.: Thanh Ngo // 2 min
- Detours Ahead // 2024 // Canada // Dir.: Esther Cheung // 8 min
- Bleu Azur // 2023 // Canada // Dirs.: Anne Esor, Xavier Fontaine, Mélodie Guenegant, Thomas Hugonnet, Ambre Kalil, Nolwenn Nasse // 3 min
VENUE: |
Simon Fraser University · School of Interactive Arts & Technology 13450 102 Ave #250 · Surrey · BC · V3T 0A3 |


‘Bleu Azur’ ©2023 ISART Digital Montreal. All Rights Reserved.
Friday - November 15, 7:00 PM
PRESENTATION
ULTRAMAN RISING: CHANNELING AN ICON THROUGH CREATIVE COLLABORATION
Presented by Industrial Light & Magic
with Aaron Brown, Marco Firme, Moragot Bodharamik, Siobhan Condon & Tania Richard · moderated by Marina Antunes
Regular: $20 (incl. GST + transaction fees)
Tickets available at the door.
A close collaboration between Netflix Animation, filmmakers Shannon Tindle and John Aoshima, and Industrial Light & Magic, Ultraman: Rising is an epic action adventure full of twists and surprising emotional punches. The team from ILM will discuss the creative journey in bringing the iconic character of Ultraman to a new generation, focusing on how various stylized techniques were implemented to create exciting imagery and how the dynamic between Netflix and ILM inspired the team to go above and beyond.
VENUE: |
ROUNDHOUSE · PERFORMANCE THEATRE 181 Roundhouse Mews · Vancouver · BC · V6Z 2W3 |


Friday - November 15, 8:30 PM
NETWORKING
INDUSTRY MIXER
Regular: Rush tickets available at the door.
VENUE: |
ROUNDHOUSE · EXHIBITION HALL 181 Roundhouse Mews · Vancouver · BC · V6Z 2W3 |
Saturday - November 16, 9:30 AM
MASTERCLASS
CREATING YOUR OWN ANIMATED FILM
with Aaron Blaise · Moderated by Keith Blackmore
Regular: $125 (incl. GST + transaction fees)
Drop-ins are welcome at the door.
In this all-day class, animation legend Aaron Blaise will take us through the creative process behind the making of his new short film, Snow Bear. Along the way, Aaron will reveal the many considerations needed in order to produce your own animated short.
Session 1
STORY DEVELOPMENT
Aaron discusses his approach to story development, emphasizing structure, theme, and character.
• Short-form writing versus long-form storytelling.
• Writing & rewriting for simplification and clarity.
Session 2
VISUAL DEVELOPMENT AND PRE-PRODUCTION
Aaron talks about Art Direction, Character and Environmental Design.
• Visual Research.
• Stylization, Color and Composition.
• The design process of the various characters in the film.
Session 3
STORYBOARDING
The importance of Storyboarding with Layout in mind.
• The value of clear storyboards.
• Boarding “cinematically."
• Sequential visual storytelling.
Session 4
ANIMATION
Aaron breaks down a shot from his newest short film step-by-step, with some live demonstrations.
• Animation – From thumbnails to colour.
VENUE: |
ROUNDHOUSE · PERFORMANCE THEATRE 181 Roundhouse Mews · Vancouver · BC · V6Z 2W3 |


Photo credit: Clint Weldon © All Rights Reserved.


Saturday - November 16, 10:00 AM
NETWORKING
ARTIST ALLEY
Regular: FREE.
Online registrations are now closed.
Drop-ins are welcome at the door.
For more info and the list of featured artists, visit the Artist Alley page.
VENUE: |
ROUNDHOUSE · EXHIBITION HALL 181 Roundhouse Mews · Vancouver · BC · V6Z 2W3 |
Friday - November 22, 4:00 PM
SHORT FILMS
MADE IN CANADA
Presented by Centre for Arts and Technology
FREE
Note: Staff & student screening.
Immerse yourself in the bold and imaginative world of Canadian filmmaking with this dynamic collection of short films. Ranging from stories about our history to dystopian visions of the future, these films capture Canada’s creative spirit. Get ready for a cinematic journey that will surprise, inspire, and leave you wanting more!
- Transferable // 2024 // Canada // Dirs.: Jacob Gardner, David Hubert // 8 min
- The Little Ancestor // 2024 // Canada // Dir.: Alexa Tremblay-Francoeur // 11 min
- Time Space Love // 2024 // Canada // Dir.: Marie-Louise Gariépy // 15 min
- Mythforce // 2024 // Canada // Dir.: Jesse Lee Davidge // 5 min
- World Naked Bike Tour // 2024 // Canada // Dir.: William Bradford // 9 min
- Detours Ahead // 2024 // Canada // Dir.: Esther Cheung // 8 min
- Door to Door: A Loogaland Cartoon // 2024 // Canada // Dir.: Jake Brassard // 14 min
- Happy Campers // 2024 // Canada // Dir.: Gordon Mihan // 9 min
- Rally // 2023 // Canada // Dir.: Santiago Menghini // 10 min
- Happiness // 2024 // Canada // Dir.: Nil Yurdakul // 4 min
- Firmware // 2023 // Canada // Dir.: Calvin Sander Romeyn // 23 min
VENUE: |
Centre for Arts and Technology Suite 100, 1632 Dickson Ave · Kelowna · BC · V1Y 7T2 |


‘Mythforce’ ©2024 Jesse Lee Davidge. All Rights Reserved.
Saturday - November 23, 10:00 AM
SHORT FILMS
SPOTLIGHT ON FRANCE
Presented by Alliance Française
Regular: $8
Alliance Française Members: $5
* Tickets available via Alliance Française Vancouver.
This Spotlight series celebrates the varied animation talent from France.
- My Teenage Blackout // 2024 // France // Dir.: Basile Khatir // 10 min
- Death was at the Rendez-Vous // 2023 // France // Dirs.: Gokool Yeshrita, Perez Margot, Lefebvre Antoine, Trouvay Edgard, Shtykova Viktoriia, Meslin Vanille, Bergez Natacha, Aguettaz Manon // 7 min
- Pirate Fair // 2023 // France // Dirs.: Ines Florens, Justine Gallo Guilbaud, Eloïse Galtress, Fabien Mestre, Victoire Moinard, Loïc Navarro, Lisa Roberrini-Neveu, Eloyse Schmitt // 6 min
- Sparrows // 2024 // France // Dir.: Rémi Durin // 12 min
- Méditerranée // 2024 // France // Dir.: Clément Soulmagnon // 4 min
- Butterfly // 2024 // France // Dir.: Florence Miailhe // 15 min
- Ratzia // 2023 // France // Dirs.: Laurie Garnier, Nicolas Gouze, David Guerin, Timothée Mano, Matéo Marie, Lara Roulot, Lorena Sautre, Corentin Vergez, Emmanuelle Zamo // 5 min
- Farewell // 2023 // France // Dirs.: Juliette Berthe, Maud Cuenot, Samuel Perouse de Montclos, Anne-Sarah Reiniche, Viviane Sollacaro // 7 min
- To Err is Human // 2024 // France // Dir.: Tristan Bouillon-Perron // 10 min
VENUE: |
Alliance Française Vancouver 6161 Cambie St · Vancouver · BC · V5Z 3B2 |


‘Farewell’ ©2024 ECOLE MoPA. All Rights Reserved.


Saturday - November 23, 6:00 PM
SHORT FILMS
NOT JUST FOR KIDS, VOL 2
Presented by UNA
FREE
* Online registrations are closed. Drop-ins are welcome at the door!
Children's entertainment has come a long way. This program of kid-friendly entertainment is fun for all ages — from 2 to 102!
- Hello Summer // 2024 // Slovakia // Dirs.: Martin Smatana, Veronika Zacharová // 11 min
- Starlight Cantina // 2024 // USA // Dir.: Monica Lagrange // 2 min
- The Carp and the Child // 2024 // France // Dirs.: Morgane Simon, Arnaud Demuynck // 7 min
- The Girl With The Occupied Eyes // 2024 // Portugal // Dir.: André Carrilho // 8 min
- Bruise, PULGU // 2022 // South Korea // Dir.: Yi-gyu Kwon // 5 min
- The Night Tunnel // 2024 // Belgium // Dir.: Annechien Strouven // 9 min
- Bottle George // 2024 // Japan // Dir.: Daisuke "Dice" Tsutsumi // 13 min
- Haru-tsuge Fish and Fu-rai Boy // 2024 // Japan // Dir.: Takeshi Yashiro // 5 min
- The Mooning // 2024 // USA // Dirs.: Mason Klesch, Vivian Osness // 3 min
- Magic Candies // 2023 // Japan // Dir.: Daisuke Nishio // 21 min
VENUE: |
Old Barn Community Centre 6308 Thunderbird Blvd, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4 |


‘Hello Summer’ ©2024 Bear With Me Distribution. All Rights Reserved.
Friday - November 29, 7:00 PM
SHORT FILMS
NOT JUST FOR KIDS, VOL 3
Presented by City of Langley
FREE
* Tickets are available via our Community Partner, the City of Langley. Reservation information to come.
This collection of animated shorts proves that great storytelling knows no age limits. Fun, imaginative, and full of heart, this program offers something for audiences of all ages to enjoy.
- Komaneko - A New Journey // 2024 // Japan // Dir.: Tsuneo Goda // 8 min
- The Queen's Flowers // 2024 // USA // Dir.: Ciara Leinaala Lacy // 11 min
- The Sun is Bad // 2023 // USA // Dir.: Rachel Mow // 3 min
- The Tortoise and the Hare // 2024 // Italy // Dir.: KCTOO // 5 min
- Sun Scream // 2023 // UK // Dir.: Amar Dusanjh // 11 min
- Starlight Cantina // 2024 // USA // Dir.: Monica Lagrange // 2 min
- The Carp and the Child // 2024 // France // Dirs.: Morgane Simon, Arnaud Demuynck // 7 min
- Eureka! // 2024 // Belgium // Dir.: Kris Borghs // 10 min
- Atomic Chicken // 2023 // Belgium // Dirs.: Thibault Ermeneux, Lucie Lyfoung, Solène Polet, Capucine Prat, Morgane Siriex, Anna Uglova // 8 min
- Dinosaurus // 2024 // Canada // Dirs.: Antoine Berteloot, Chengcheng Zhang, Cléa Urruty, Ivan Olarte, Louis Prats, Marie Wsevolojsky, Maxence De Bon, Timour Plekhoff // 2 min
- Bottle George // 2024 // Japan // Dir.: Daisuke "Dice" Tsutsumi // 13 min
VENUE: |
Timms Community Centre · Langley City Hall · Council Chambers 20399 Douglas Crescent · Langley · BC · V3A 4B3 |


‘The Tortoise and the Hare’ ©2024 h725 Studio. All Rights Reserved.
Saturday - November 30, 2:00 PM
PRESENTATION
ANIMATING TRADITION: STOP-MOTION & INDIGENOUS STORYTELLING
Presented by the National Film Board of Canada
with Amanda Strong · moderated by Marina Antunes
Regular: $5 (incl. GST + transaction fees)
* Online registrations are closed. Drop-ins are welcome at the door!
ATTENTION: NEW VENUE!
In this discussion, Amanda Strong will share her experience and process with her latest stop-motion animated short, Inkwo for When the Starving Return, in addition to producing and directing Independent animation and building a stop-motion studio centred on collective Indigenous storytelling.Learn about the successes, barriers and magical slow art process of stop motion animation as a vessel for Indigenous stories and ways of working. Amanda will talk through the steps of making an independent project, starting with the idea, finding funding, building a dream team, the creative process and seeing the project through to the finish line. Strong will share aspects of her team's collaborative process, including groundbreaking puppets, art direction, compositing and VFX.
VENUE: |
BCIT · Tech Collider · 2nd Floor 555 Seymour St · Vancouver · BC · V6B 3H6 |
Friday - December 6, 4:30 PM
SHORT FILMS
SPARK ANIMATION SHOWCASE
Presented by PCCA, UVIC Fine Arts & CS
FREE
* Tickets available via University of Victoria.
SPARK ANIMATION, Western Canada’s largest celebration of animation and BC’s only Oscar®-accredited festival is headed to Victoria.
The afternoon and learning and entertainment will open with a presentation from Victoria-based filmmaker Denver Jackson, who will share insights into the making of his ambitious solo animated feature film project The Worlds Divide. SPARK ANIMATION hosted a WIP screening of the film in 2023, and the project had its world premiere at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival earlier this year.
Following Denver’s presentation, mingle with fellow animation enthusiasts before sitting down to a screening of Made in Canada Vol. 2, a curated short film program showcasing the diversity, ingenuity, and talent of Canadian animators.
- Transferable // 2024 // Canada // Dirs.: Jacob Gardner, David Hubert // 8 min
- The Little Ancestor // 2024 // Canada // Dir.: Alexa Tremblay-Francoeur // 11 min
- M. L'espérance // 2024 // Canada // Dir.: Chantale Boulianne // 9 min
- World Naked Bike Tour // 2024 // Canada // Dir.: William Bradford // 10 min
- The Wolf // 2024 // Canada // Dir.: Theodore Ushev // 10 min
- Ma Mao // 2024 // Canada // Dir.: Thanh Ngo // 2 min
- Detours Ahead // 2024 // Canada // Dir.: Esther Cheung // 8 min
- Bleu Azur // 2023 // Canada // Dirs.: Anne Esor, Xavier Fontaine, Mélodie Guenegant, Thomas Hugonnet, Ambre Kalil, Nolwenn Nasse // 3 min
VENUE: |
University of Victoria · Engineering & Computer Science Building Room 660 (6th Floor) · 99111 Ring Road · Victoria · BC · V8P 5C2 |


‘Bleu Azur’ ©2023 ISART Digital Montreal. All Rights Reserved.
Saturday - December 21, 10:30 AM
SHORT FILMS
CINEMA FRANCOPHONE
Presented by Alliance Française
Regular: $8
Alliance Française Members: $5
* Tickets available via Alliance Française Vancouver.
ATTENTION: NEW DATE & TIME
This collection of animated shorts proves that great storytelling knows no age limits. Fun, imaginative, and full of heart, this program offers something for audiences of all ages to enjoy.Celebrate the richness of French-speaking cinema with a curated selection of short films.
- Yuck! // 2023 // France // Dir.: Loïc Espuche // 13 min
- The Bear and the Bird // 2024 // France // Dir.: Marie Caudry // 26 min
- A toi // 2023 // France // Dir.: Stéphane Berla // 3 min
- Noon, the Bread from Tehran // 2024 // France // Dir.: Roshanak Roshan // 20 min
- The Night Boots // 2024 // France // Dir.: Pierre-Luc Granjon // 12 min
- Feet in Water // 2024 // France // Dir.: Éloïc Gimenez Yoon // 9 min
VENUE: |
Alliance Française Vancouver 6161 Cambie St · Vancouver · BC · V5Z 3B2 |


‘Yuck!’ ©2023 Miyu Distribution. All Rights Reserved.
BIOGRAPHIES
Aaron Brown is a compositing supervisor with 18 years of experience in the visual effects industry, including 11 years at Industrial Light & Magic (ILM). His journey began in his teenage years, creating short animations and exploring oil painting, which deepened his appreciation for visual storytelling. Inspired by the films he loved, Aaron transitioned into visual effects to learn about the processes that bring images to life. Throughout his career, he has worked on a variety of projects, focusing on blending artistic vision with technical skill. Aaron is committed to the collaborative nature of filmmaking and enjoys helping bring stories to life through visual effects.
Aaron graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from the University of British Columbia and went on to receive an Honors Certificate in Character Animation from the Vancouver Film School in 2000. With 23 years in the VFX industry, Aaron has worked at all levels of animation in film, games and TV. Beginning with his early film work, Aaron was an animator on Matrix Revolutions, Hellboy and Constantine with the acclaimed Tippett Studio. Eventually making his way to Weta Digital as a Senior Animator on Avatar, Aaron would remain with the award-winning New Zealand-based company for 8 years. In that time, he worked on 14 feature films, including as Animation Supervisor on The Avengers, Iron Man 3, The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, Alvin and the Chipmunks: Road Chip, and Godzilla.
In 2016, Aaron made his way to Vancouver, Canada, as Animation Director at DNEG, where he oversaw numerous projects, including Pacific Rim Uprising, Disney’s Togo, and Ghostbusters Afterlife, before eventually taking on the Head of Animation role. In 2021, Aaron assumed the Chief Creative Officer role at Steamroller Animation and most recently took on the Chief Executive Officer role, where he oversees the studio’s vision and core operations.
Aaron brings a wealth of animation and leadership experience to the Steamroller team. He is also a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and has been nominated for a VES and Annie award.
Alex lives and breathes movies. “If I’m not making them,” he says, “I’m probably watching them.” His passion for cinema has led to a career spanning 20 years in animated movies. Having held creative leadership positions in both large and independent studios, Alex’s infectious enthusiasm is essential to his ability to lead and inspire large teams. Recent Projects: HITPIG!, The Addams Family & Animal Farm. Previous Credits: The Little Prince, Kung Fu Panda, Kung Fu Panda 2, and Puss in Boots: The Three Diablos.
Director // NFB
(Inkwo for When the Starving Return (2024), Biidaaban (2018), Four Faces of the Moon (2016), Mia' (2015), Indigo (2014))
Amanda Strong is an Indigenous filmmaker, media artist and stop motion director currently based in Vancouver. She is the owner and director of Spotted Fawn Productions, an animation and media-based studio that creates short films, commercial projects, and workshops. Amanda’s work explores ideas of blood memory and Indigenous ideology. Her background in photography, illustration and media extends into her award-winning stop-motion animations. Her films Indigo and Mia' challenge conventional structures of storytelling in cinema and have screened internationally, most notably at Cannes, TIFF, VIFF, and OAIF. Amanda has received numerous grants from the Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council and the NFB, most recently the recipient of the Vancouver Mayors Arts Awards for Emerging Film.
Behzad Mansoori-Dara (Director of Cinematography, Layout) oversaw the team responsible for the digital cinematography of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Moana 2, including camera language and shooting style, alongside fellow director of cinematography, Layout, Rob Dressel.
Mansoori-Dara joined Disney Animation’s Vancouver-based team in 2022 following a 20-year career in the animation industry at studios such as Animal Logic, Mainframe Studios and Pixar Animation Studios.
Having grown up in Vancouver, BC, Mansoori-Dara attended Vancouver Film School. He currently lives in Vancouver.
With over a decade of experience in the entertainment industry, Brady Bonser has established a reputation as an award-winning creative storyteller and content programming strategist. He has spearheaded the development of branded content, videos, films, and TV shows, collaborating with industry giants such as Disney, NBCUniversal, Netflix, Hulu, MTV, Warner Bros., Universal Music Group, Interscope Records, Xbox, Microsoft, and more.
Since a child, Brady's passion for storytelling and love for film, television, gaming and broader entertainment has taken him on a journey from humble beginnings as a production assistant to filmmaker and producer and now Head of Original Programming at Xbox.
Brandon Vietti began working at Warner Bros. Animation in 1997 on The New Batman/Superman Adventures as a storyboard artist and character designer. He would go on to work in nearly every animation department at several studios, learning every facet of production while graduating from storyboard artist to director and eventually to executive producer and writer. He returned to Warner Bros. Animation in 2004, where he worked for 20 years as a producer, director and writer of many 2D and CG projects ranging broadly in style and tone for kids and adults. His most notable projects include Watchmen: Chapter I & II, Batman: Death In The Family, Young Justice and Batman: Under The Red Hood. With each new project, he continues honing his craft of animation filmmaking with the long-term goal of shattering the common perception that animation is just for kids.
Animation Supervisor // Animal Logic
(DC League of Super Pets, The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part, Trolls, Turbo, Megamind, Tarzan, The Lion King)
Dave has almost three decades of experience in the animation industry, working on some of the most iconic 2D and CGI animated films of our time. Dave is the Animation Supervisor at Animal Logic’s Vancouver studio, where he was the Animation Director on DC League of Super-Pets and the Animation Supervisor on The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part.
In 1991, Dave started at Walt Disney Feature Animation, where he was an animator and supervising animator on many of their most successful 2D films, including Beauty and The Beast, Aladdin, The Lion King and Tarzan.
In 2001, he switched his pencil for a computer and started at PDI/DreamWorks, working as an animator, supervising animator and head of character animation. His credits during this time include Shrek 2, Madagascar, Over the Hedge, Megamind and Trolls.
Dave graduated from Emily Carr University of Art + Design in Vancouver with Honours in Animation.
David Derrick, Jr. (Director) helms Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Moana 2 following his role as a story artist on the original Academy Award®-nominated film. Derrick joined Disney Animation to work on Moana, drawn to the story by his own Samoan ancestry and personal connection to the title character’s quest to understand her heritage.
“I felt like I was on the journey with Moana. I have ancestors from Samoa, and just as Moana comes to understand her heritage, working on and researching this film brought me closer to my own.” Travelling with his brothers and sisters to reconnect with their Samoan heritage, Derrick recalls, “We learned how to husk and crack a coconut without any tools. We cooked our dinner in a traditional Samoan oven called an umu.”
Derrick previously served as a story artist at DreamWorks Animation on such films as Megamind, How to Train Your Dragon and Guardians, among others.
Born and raised in Farmington, Utah, Derrick decided to pursue a career in the animation industry after seeing Disney Animation’s Tarzan while in college. He studied character animation at CalArts.
With three Emmy nominations, an Annie Award for Best Director, and the title of one of the “100 Most Creatives In Hollywood” by Entertainment Weekly, David Feiss is best known as the creator of Cartoon Network’s hit series, Cow and Chicken and I Am Weasel. But he’s also had a long career in animated films, beginning as an animator on the movie Heavy Metal in 1980. From there, he’s worked on many theatrical films, including Open Season, Hotel Transylvania, Rango, Despicable Me, Minions, Grinch and Secret Life of Pets. David wrote and directed theatrical shorts for the Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs franchise, as well as directing the Annie-nominated feature Open Season, Scared Silly.
Faga Melo is a multi-award-winning director who has been working in the film industry for about 15 years. An avid storyteller and relentless explorer of different techniques who, throughout his journey, studied cinema in São Paulo, Los Angeles, and Buenos Aires. His pursuit and admiration for unusual narratives led him to realize that animation is an excellent tool for expressing his ideas. From then on, he began to establish his career in this field.
He is one of the partners at Dirty Work, a Brazilian creative animation studio that operates globally and serves major brands around the world. In recent years, Faga directed the film Coorslide, chosen as a Vimeo Staff Pick — Best of the Year. Alongside Gustavo Leal, who works as a duo, he directed Decifrei, a winner of One Show, CLIO Awards, and Cannes Lion, and also was one of the directors of the award-winning and Oscar Qualified® short film Footsteps on the Wind.
Born in Patagonia, Argentina, Gabriel Agustin Freire is a millennial who studied traditional animation at the Instituto de Artes Cinematográficas de Avellaneda (IDAC) in Buenos Aires. He became a digital artist and animation producer, working as a director for brands like Disney, Adidas, Coca-Cola, MTV, Greenpeace, Riot Games, Garena Free Fire, and GoPro, among others, and agencies all around the world, such as Dentsu, Publicis, BBDO, Grey, Leo Burnett and many more. Currently, he's living in São Paulo, working at Lightfarm Studios as Director of Animation.
Jalil Sadool is the co-founder and Chief Creative Officer of Steamroller Animation, a Florida-based studio known for its work on major video game titles like Fortnite and Shadow of the Tomb Raider. Originally from Mauritius, Sadool’s journey in animation started with a degree in applied media arts from PennWest Edinboro. He went on to work at some of the industry’s top studios, including DreamWorks Animation and Weta Digital, where he contributed to blockbuster films such as Avatar, How to Train Your Dragon 2, and Rise of the Planet of the Apes.
His passion for character design and storytelling is reflected in his leadership at Steamroller Animation, where he drives creative innovation across both client work and original projects. Beyond his work in production, Sadool co-founded CGTarian, an online animation school, helping to mentor the next generation of animators.
Jason Snyman is an Animation Supervisor who has honed his skills by bringing dynamic sequences and creatures to life. Jason oversees a team of artists, responsible for delivering animation that creates compelling action-packed moments.
Jason first joined Wētā FX to work on The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003) as a texture painter and animator. He then went on to be Senior Animator on Peter Jackson‘s King Kong (2005), where he prevised and animated King Kong taking on the Vastatosaurus Rex, before moving on to James Cameron's Avatar (2009) to previs and animate Neytiri's final explosive match against Quaritch.
Most recently, Jason was Animation Supervisor on Season 2 of House of the Dragon, where he joined Team Blacks legion, overseeing the animation for four of their dragons, including the nimble Seasmoke and the powerful Vermithor.
Producer, Director, Animator
(Mixed Match, One Big Hapa Family, Yellow Sticky Notes, Yellow Sticky Notes | Canadian Anijam)

Jeff Chiba Stearns is an Emmy-nominated and Webby award-winning animation and documentary filmmaker. After graduating from the Emily Carr University with a degree in Film Animation, he founded Vancouver-based boutique animation studio Meditating Bunny Studio Inc. in 2001. From animated viral video ads and broadcast commercials for companies like Sharpie, 3M and Post-it Note, to short and feature films like What Are You Anyways? (2005), Yellow Sticky Notes (2007), One Big Hapa Family (2010), Ode to a Post-it Note (2010), Yellow Sticky Notes | Canadian Anijam (2013) and Mixed Match (2016) Jeff&rsqup;s work has broadcast around the world, screened in hundreds of international film festivals and garnered over 40 awards. Currently, Jeff published his first children’s book Mixed Critters and has plans to release a second book later this year.
Production Coordinator // Animal Logic
(Leo, Strawberry Shortcake, Snoopy Present, William With, Day, )
Justin is a dedicated Canadian production coordinator with a passion for animation. His journey in the animation industry began as an intern in human resources, and by 2020, he had been hired as a production coordinator. Throughout his career, Justin has collaborated closely with teams of talented artists across various stages of the animation pipeline. With unfaltering energy, as the wind in his sails, he hopes to support all artists who partake in the intricate process of crafting animated masterpieces.
Justin’s production experience includes projects like Chip and Potato and Strawberry Shortcake: Berry in the Big City. Currently serving as a production coordinator at Animal Logic, he helped coordinate artists in the production of the film Leo. Additionally, Justin contributes his time and skills as the Volunteer Coordinator for Spark CG, showcasing his commitment to the animation community.
Vancouver-born and raised, Keith Blackmore is a passionate supporter for all things animated in the Vancouver area. A producer for the SPARK ANIMATION Festival, Keith has presented, interviewed and moderated at many festivals and studios. Most recently, he was on the Film Jury for the 2022 Taiwan International Student Design Competition, the largest student design competition around the world. Keith is also the host of the monthly Vancouver Civic Theatres’ film series, Silent Movie Mondays, at the opulent and historic Orpheum Theatre.
Besides his work with the Spark CG Society, Keith continues to educate and inspire students at the Vancouver Film School, in his weekly History of Animation classes.
Kevin Webb (Head of Animation) brings his knowledge, experience and passion for animation to his latest role as head of animation on Moana 2 (alongside Amy Smeed). Born and raised in Vancouver, Canada, Webb was one of the first three animators to be hired at Disney Animation’s Vancouver studio when it began operations in 2022.
As a child, Webb had always gravitated towards drawing and art and was heavily influenced by film. Home video tapes of Disney Animation’s The Little Mermaid, The Lion King and Aladdin were on constant replay. But it wasn’t until he saw Pixar Animation Studios’ Finding Nemo after high school that he began to seriously consider animation as a profession.
After taking an intensive 18-month course in animation at the Art Institute of Vancouver, Webb launched his career in 2007 with Vancouver-based animation studio Nerd Corps Entertainment, where he cut his teeth on such shows as Storm Hawks and The League of Super Evil.
Joining Sony Animation Imageworks in 2011, Webb went on to rise through the ranks from animator to lead animator to head of character animation over the course of his 14 years there. His credits include The Smurfs, Hotel Transylvania, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2, The Amazing Spider-Man, The Angry Birds Movie and The Sea Beast. He served as head of animation on Smallfoot and Vivo.
Webb says, “My favourite Disney Animation film of all time is Moana, and when my daughter was two years old, we used to act out scenes together. She would always make me play Gramma Tala, not Maui. When I was hired by Disney Animation’s Vancouver Studio and Moana turned out to be our first project, it just felt like fate. I feel incredibly proud, lucky and privileged to be allowed to look after these beloved characters and continue this story. We have a great team here in Vancouver, where we get to leverage the incredible 100-year legacy of Disney Animation while also creating something that is intrinsically unique to this place in Vancouver.”
Webb and his wife have two children and live in Vancouver.
Marina has been writing and discussing film for over 15 years, first on a personal blog, followed by a decade-long tenure on the now retired Row Three. In 2008, she joined the writing staff at Quiet Earth, becoming Editor-In-Chief in 2014, a role she still holds. Over the years, she has also produced and hosted a number of podcasts including Before the Dawn, a long-running podcast on the Twilight franchise, Girls on Pop, a podcast on film and popular entertainment from women’s perspective and After the Credits, bi-monthly film podcast with nearly 300 episodes.
Marina is a member of ACM and ACM SIGGRAPH, the Online Film Critics Society, the Alliance of Women Film Journalists, and the Visual Effects Society. She is the President of Spark CG Society and the Vancouver ACM SIGGRAPH chapter. She has also served on juries for several film festivals including DOXA, St. Louis International Film Festival, and the Whistler Film Festival. She joined the Spark CG Society in 2014.
Emmy® award-winning artist and four-time Annie Award-nominee Shannon Tindle began working in the film industry in 2000 after attending the California Institute of the Arts.
Tindle has served as a designer, story artist, writer and director for both television and feature films, collaborating with Dreamworks, Disney, Cartoon Network, and Universal Studios on a wide range of projects, including Foster’s Home For Imaginary Friends, The Croods and Coraline.
His most recent film, Kubo and the Two Strings, was nominated for two Oscars and won the BAFTA for Best Animated Feature. He is currently writing and directing a new film for Sony Pictures Animation.
Simon Otto is the Director of That Christmas. He started his directing career on the Netflix animated series Dragons: Race to the Edge and Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia. Most recently, he directed the Love, Death + Robots episode ‘The Tall Grass’ and developed, executive produced and served as the Supervising Director on the successful Netflix series A Tale Dark & Grimm.
Prior to turning to directing, he spent over 20 years working at DreamWorks Animation, most notably as the Head of Character Animation on the Oscar-nominated How to Train Your Dragon trilogy. In that role, Simon oversaw the character animation and was instrumental in designing and developing the look of the characters, their personalities, and the overall style of the animation while also working in the story department as a story artist. He first joined DreamWorks in 1997 to work on the groundbreaking The Prince of Egypt and worked as a Supervising Animator both in hand-drawn and CG animation on many of the studio’s features, including Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron and the Aardman co-production Flushed Away.
Born and raised in Switzerland, Simon studied animation at the prestigious Les Gobelins Animation School in Paris, France.
Coming soon.
Executive Producer
(The Addams Family, The Empire Strikes Back, Raiders of the Lost Ark, E.T.: The Extra Terrestrial, Return of the Jedi)

Warren Franklin, Executive Producer, is a global leader of the visual effects and animation industry. As the founder and former CEO of Rainmaker Entertainment, Mr. Franklin created one of North America’s leading independent animation studios. Currently he is producing a slate of animated feature films at Cinesite Studios in Montreal and Vancouver including the recently released The Addams Family.
Mr. Franklin has over 25 years of experience as an executive and creative producer with such industry leaders as Lucasfilm Ltd and has collaborated on projects with all of the major Hollywood studios. For 13 years, Mr. Franklin was a key member of George Lucas’ creative and management team where he served as Group Vice President, managing six divisions, including Industrial Light & Magic, LucasArts and Skywalker Sound.
As the VP and GM of ILM, Mr. Franklin spearheaded its growth and dominance as the industry’s premier visual effects company, which won nine Academy Awards during his tenure including The Empire Strikes Back, Raiders of the Lost Ark, E.T.: The Extra Terrestrial, Return of the Jedi.
Zen Pace is an Emmy-nominated filmmaker and writer who creates soulful work touching on identity, inner child work, and challenging the status quo. Raised in Flint, Michigan, and unable to read until 11 years old, their main way of learning was through visual mediums. They embrace both directing and writing to create subversive, expressive, and deeply personal work. Recently, their debut short, "FRAUD," premiered at Tribeca and was shortlisted for the Directors' Fortnight at Cannes. Zen Pace is a nonbinary Emmy-nominated filmmaker and writer. They've collaborated with GUCCI, META, Microsoft, CBS, and many more. Recently, their short FRAUD premiered at Tribeca and was shortlisted for the Directors' Fortnight at Cannes.
As Head of CG Canada, Zoe engages in shows from their very initial discussions until their final delivery, and beyond! Zoe is excited to adopt new technologies and resources, giving artists a new and exciting means to create VFX of the highest level.
Whilst being an active member of the VFX and Animation Community, Zoe is passionate about building and growing talented and diverse teams, whereby people can work at their very best in a thriving and enriching environment.
Zoe started her career in 2005 at Double Negative London, subsequently working in the Singapore and Vancouver studios. Her most recent roles were CG Supervisor, Head of Build and Head of CG.
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