ASIFA-Hollywood

Friday 10/23, 3:30PM-4:30PM

Movie Magic: Editing for Animated Films

Room 211 | ASIFA-Hollywood | Jennifer Jew | Nathan Schauf | James Ryan ACE | Bret Marnell | Darren Holmes, ACE | Nathan Schauf ACE

In animation, the edit is the movie. Long before final frames are rendered, editors shape story, timing, and emotion using storyboards, animatics, and scratch dialogue—working closely with directors to build the film from the ground up.

But how do you cut a scene that doesn’t exist yet? And how can understanding editorial make you a stronger, more hirable artist?

Tailored for LightBox Expo’s community of aspiring and professional animators, this panel explores how animated films are crafted in the edit—how sequences evolve, how decisions impact the entire pipeline, and what skills studios are looking for today.

Featuring Bret Marnell, ACE (Ultraman: Rising, Smurfs: The Lost Village), along with editors from Netflix, Disney, and Pixar.

Saturday 10/24, 10:30AM-11:30AM

Cartoon Comedy: Five Animators Discuss Their Animated Inspirations

Room 211 | ASIFA-Hollywood | Yvette Kaplan | Chris Prynoski | Jerry Beck | David Silverman | Eric Bauza

Humor in animated films has a long diverse history – and we’ve come far from the days of Gertie the Dinosaur getting a laugh by throwing an elephant into a lake or Felix The Cat using his tail for an umbrella. Max Fleischer, Tex Avery, Chuck Jones and Jay Ward defined animated humor in the past and have influenced much work of the present. This panel will invite five current animators to discuss humor in animated films, they will also show clips from their favorite classic cartoons – and explain how that has influenced their work.

Panelists include Chris Prynoski (Titmouse), David Silverman (The Simpsons), Eric Bauza (Looney Tunes), and Yvette Kaplan (Beavis and Butt-head). Animation Historian Jerry Beck (The 50 Greatest Cartoons) will moderate.

Also, ASIFA-Hollywood will make an announcement during this panel about their latest Award for Humor in Animation.

Saturday 10/24, 1:15PM-2:15PM

It Takes a Village: The Community Behind Every Artist

Room 204 | Aubry Mintz | Wacom Technology | Nathan Brown | Nicole Hendrix | Concept Art Association | BRIC Foundation | ASIFA-Hollywood | Alexi Drosu

Join and hear from Community partners representing TAG, BRIC, CCA, ASIFA-Hollywood alongside Wacom to discuss the importance of finding, fostering, and leaning into the creative community.

Saturday 10/24, 4:30PM-5:30PM

Annie Award Legends: Crafting Excellence Then and Now

Room 209-210 | ASIFA-Hollywood | Aubry Mintz | Erik Wiese | Mary Blee | Sebastien Dussault

What does it take to create award-winning animation—and where can that career lead?

This panel features past Annie Award winners in craft categories such as character animation and storyboarding, exploring the work that earned them recognition and the career paths they’ve taken since. From breakthrough moments to industry shifts, you’ll gain insight into how top artists continue to grow and adapt.

Designed for LightBox Expo artists and aspiring professionals, this session highlights the creative decisions, storytelling skills, and dedication behind award-winning work, while offering practical advice you can apply to your own creative journey.

Sunday 10/25, 12:00PM-1:00PM

Leveling Up a Career in Gaming Animation

Ballroom G | ASIFA-Hollywood | Andy Latham | Sebastien Dussault | Erica Pinto

Building a lasting career in game animation takes more than talent or a nice reel. Join leaders from Agora Studio and Steamroller Studios as they share what they learned collaborating on the Annie Award–winning South of Midnight.

From the technical skills studios look for to the soft skills that matter just as much, this panel explores how adaptability, teamwork, and a learning mindset help you thrive in a competitive and ever‑evolving industry.

Whether you’re blocking out your first hit reaction or directing epic cinematics, you’ll leave with practical insights to help you level up your game animation career.