Kiana Khansmith (She/Her)

Sunday 10/25, 10:30AM-11:30AM

Indie Animation, Creator-Owned Futures

Room 209-210 | Sheridan College | Kiana Khansmith | Studio Heartbreak | ZOMA Studios | Li'l Toughy | Lillian Chan

Let’s get real about the challenges and opportunities faced by emerging and established artists looking to work independently in the creator space.

Join Kiana Khansmith (Pretty Please I Don’t Want to be a Magical Girl), Studio Heartbreak (The Lovers), Uzo Ngwu (Zoma Studios, Mmanwu), & Emily Brundige (Li’l Toughy, Strawberry Vampire) for a candid conversation with production designer Lillian Chan about IP creation outside of traditional systems. From viral YouTube releases & Kickstarter campaigns to grassroots screenings & collabs, learn about what it takes to make ambitious independent work sustainable today.

Stay until the end to discover Sheridan College’s exciting new free global program for emerging and established artists ready to grow as independent creators.

Sunday 10/25, 11:30AM-12:30PM

The Rise of Indie Animation: Breaking the Studio System

Civic Auditorium | Toby Cochran | Danny Arriaga | Matt Braly | Wabie | Andre "DRE" Rodriguez | Kiana Khansmith

The animation industry is changing, and creators are taking ownership of their stories like never before.

Join a panel of artists building original films, series, comics, toys, and creator-owned worlds outside the traditional studio pipeline. Learn how they’re financing projects, growing audiences, assembling teams, and transforming passion projects into thriving creative businesses.