Jorge R. Gutierrez (He/Him)

Traditional Artist Character Artist Director

Jorge R. Gutierrez. Born in Mexico City and raised in Tijuana, Gutierrez displayed an early passion for art and storytelling. He pursued his creative dreams with unwavering determination, earning a BFA and MFA degree at CalArts. His directorial debut, "The Book of Life" (2014), showcased his distinctive style, blending visually stunning animation with rich narratives inspired by Mexican folklore. Beyond his acclaimed work in film, Gutierrez has ventured into television, creating (with wife Sandra Equihua) the Emmy winning animated tv series “El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera” (2008) and "Maya and the Three" (2021), which continue to enchant audiences worldwide. He's currently developing multiple projects at NETFLIX Animation including the animated feature film "I, Chihuahua!"

WEBSITE

PARTICIPANT SCHEDULE

Friday 10/24

Write for Animation! How to Go From Artist to Creator

Dear visual artist, you ARE a writer! Jorge R. Gutiérrez (El Guapo vs. The Narco Vampires, Maya and the Three), Patrick McHale (Over the Garden Wall, Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio), Emily Brundige (Tin Titan Go, Hilda, Goldie), and Jill Culton (Toy Story, Abominable, Oh, the Places You’ll Go) reveal how writing has powered their creative independence. Learn how story can help you survive industry upheaval, pitch and sell your own shows, and take charge of your career without waiting for permission.

Presented by Write for Animation. Hosted by writer-producer Pietro Schito.

Saturday 10/25

Autism in Entertainment: Generations

Jorge R. Gutierrez | Dani Bowman | Howie Hoffman | Kate Jorgensen. Judi Uttal | Marlene Sharp

From the brain of Autism in Entertainment founder JUDI UTTAL comes the Generations session! This authentic panel reflects 3 eras of neurodivergence in the animation industry; representing each generation (respectively) are HOWIE HOFFMAN (DOUG, MAGIC SCHOOL BUS), JORGE GUTIERREZ (BOOK OF LIFE), and DANI BOWMAN (LOVE ON THE SPECTRUM, RED FUZZY RUG). Exceptional Minds’ Kate Jorgensen moderates.

Sunday 10/26

Building Creative Worlds & Collaborations

Jorge R. Gutierrez | Sandra Equihua | Ben Butcher | Kristen Carr (Moderator)

Join celebrated artists Jorge and Sandra, along with Kaleidos Creative founder & CEO Ben Butcher, for a candid conversation about the realities of building a creative career and collaborative process. Moderated by Kristen Carr, they will share and reflect on their early artistic paths, the unexpected turns that shaped them, and how trust and shared vision lead to meaningful partnerships. Then, get an exclusive first look at new projects in development plus insight into how they’re shaping what’s next. This session pulls back the curtain on the creative process, from the messy beginnings to the magic that happens when artists create together and build community. Come for the sneak peeks, stay for the real talk.

Jorge R. Gutierrez (He/Him)

Write for Animation! How to Go From Artist to Creator

Autism in Entertainment: Generations

Building Creative Worlds & Collaborations

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