AFROANIMATION
SUMMIT 3.0

Burbank, California

APRIL 26TH AND 27TH
The Best Summit for Recruting Diverse Animation Talent

about us

AfroAnimation 3.0 is a 2-day in-person and virtual Summit in Burbank, California, that has grown to 4,900 creative and industry executive attendees as of 2022. AfroAnimation is a platform dedicated to empowering creatives, creating employment pathways and increasing diverse and women representation in the animation industry. We do this by connecting creators of color from around the globe, once a year to Hollywood and Canadian film and television companies to meet and discuss important topics relative to the vertical, gain new insights, recruit, screen indie films, network, award and celebrate.

what's new

In-Person and Virtual

Dynamic Panel Discussions

Dynamic Panel
Discussions

In-Person

Meet Studio Executives

Meet Studio
Executives

In-Person

On-Site Recruiting

On-Site
Recruiting

In-Person

Workshops and Masterclasses

Workshops and
Masterclasses

In-Person

VIP Networking Receptions

VIP Networking
Receptions

In-Person

CVs and Portfolio Reviews

CVs and
Portfolio Reviews

In-Person and Virtual

Icon Awards Luncheon

Icon Awards
Luncheon

In-Person

Women in Animation Event

Women in
Animation Event

In-Person

Expo Hall

Expo Hall

In-Person

LatinXFireside Chat

LatinX
Fireside Chat

In-Person

OnlineStreaming Pass

Online
Streaming Pass

In-Person

Blockbuster Traller Movie Screening Room

Blockbuster Traller
Movie Screening Room

In-Person

Indie AnimationShort Film Competition

Indie Animation
Short Film Competition

In-Person

Interships and Approenticeships

Interships and
Apprenticeship

In-Person

Gift Bags and Perks

Gift Bags
and Perks

In-Person

WHO TO EXPECT AT
AFROANIMATION 3.0

PRODUCER/DIRECTORS

PRODUCER/DIRECTORS

STUDIO RECRUITERS

STUDIO RECRUITERS

CHARACTER DESIGNERS

CHARACTER DESIGNERS

STORYTELLERS

STORYTELLERS

ILLUSTRATORS

ILLUSTRATORS

ANIMATORS

ANIMATORS

STUDO EXECUTIVES

STUDO EXECUTIVES

ART AND DESIGN STUDENTS

STUDENTS

Television ExecutiveS

Television ExecutiveS

PREMIER SPONSORS

dreamanimationtitmouseimagesworksimagesworkswild brainNickelodeoncartoon network studiostitmousetitmousetrigger fish

COMMUNITY Partners

bricasifawiawiawiawia

EXPO PARTNERS

hq afroanimation 3.0

April 26th and 27th 2023

Los Angeles Marriott Burbank Airport Hotel
and Convention Center

2500 N Hollywood Way, Burbank, CA 91505

buy pass

Visit Burbank:

A Better Way to See LA

Known as “Media Capital of the World,” Burbank is a top Los Angeles travel destination adjacent to Hollywood. Home to the Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood, Burbank is next to Universal Studios Hollywood, Disney Headquarters, Netflix Animation and more.

Favorites include attending live TV tapings, horseback rides to the Hollywood Sign and much more. As a major entertainment production center, Burbank offers hundreds of shopping and dining experiences.

The LA Marriott Burbank Airport Hotel and Convention Center are on the same property. Please book your room below at the Marriott to receive the AfroAnimation convention group discount and discounted parking.

Book your discount rate for AfroAnimation Summit Burbank April 2023.

book room

or call 1-800-228-9290

Marriott Los Angeles

Benefits of Attending AfroAnimation 3.0

High PoweredIn-Person Networking

High Powered
In-Person Networking

Opportunities to network in-person with animators and creators from the US, Canada, Africa, the Caribbean, Europe, Brazil and more, including networking with studio executives who can green-light projects and hire.

Grow Your Contacts 20x Faster

Grow Your Contacts 20x Faster

Get peer and executive contacts in-person from around the globe in one destination at AfroAnimation 3.0 Burbank. Connect with producers, directors, animators, illustrators, storytellers, writers, voice over artists, industry executives, recruiters and financiers.

Dynamic Panel Discussions

Dynamic Panel
Discussions

Gain new insights, inside tips and techniques on cutting-edge best industry practices from top artists, film studio executives and television network professionals. Sit in on workshops and master classes taught by industry leaders committed to diversity.

In-Person Recruiting

In-Person CV Reviews and Interviews

In 2023 there were 133 job openings with film and television companies being offered at AfroAnimation. Talk and meet with recruiters, get real-time feedback, in-person on your resume or portfolio.

CVs and Portfolio Reviews

Drive Diversity Forward

Come celebrate, have fun, connect, unite with your industry peers and show your commitment to diversifying the animation industry. Diversity increases the bottom-line result.

program

BURBANK, CALiFORNIA

MARRIOTT BURBANK AIRPORT HOTEL CONVENTION CENTER
2500 N HOLLYWOOD WAY, BURBANK, CA 91505

APRIL 26 -27, 2023

8 AM - 8 PM PST

TUESDAY, APRIL 25 (PST)

INDUSTRY KICK-OFF MIXER
(PASS HOLDERS-ONLY)

7 PM - 9 PM

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26 (PST)

INTRODUCTION & INTERVIEW:
KEITH WHITE, FOUNDER OF AFROANIMATION

8:20 AM - 8:30 AM

KEYNOTE
DAY-1 (TBD)

8:35AM - 8:55 AM

CURRENT STATE OF DIVERSITY IN
THE ANIMATION INDUSTRY

9:00 AM - 9:55 AM

drawing diversity:
COVERING THE TRUE FABRIC OF
AMERICAN CULTURE IN FILM

10:00 AM - 10:55 PM

DIRECTING IN THE SPIDER-VERSE: sony pictures animation
IN CONVERSATION WITH PETER RAMSEY AND KEMP POWERS moderated by jarelle dampier

11:00 AM - 11:55 AM

Lunch: Skirball Courtyard

icon award luncheon
(industry passholders-only)

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

kizazi moto: Generation fire:
AN AFRICAN ANTHOLOGY SHORT SERIES FROM DISNEY WITH IN-PERSON DISCUSSION WITH THE AFRICAN DIRECTORS AND PRODUCERS I PART I

1:00 PM - 1:55 PM

INCREASING THE VISIBILITY OF
WOMEN STORYTELLERS/ING IN FILM

2:00 PM - 2:55 PM

Netflix Animation Presents: Breaking into Animation

3:00 PM - 3:55 PM

Lunch: Skirball Courtyard

workshops

LatinX in Animation

Kickstarter Strategies For Film Fundraising

Coffee: Draw, Connect & Unwind With Netflix

4:00 PM - 4:55 PM

Lunch: Skirball Courtyard

networking reception
(industry passholder-only)

5:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Thursday, APRIL 27 (PST)

INtroduction & insights:
rio cyrus, co-chair of afroanimation

8:20 aM - 8:30 AM

keynote
day-2 (tbd)

8:35 aM - 8:55 aM

the art of the pitch:
closing the content deal w/studios, television networks and streamers

9:00 aM - 9:55 AM

unlocking a career
pathway in animation

10:00 aM - 10:55 AM

Kizazi Moto Generation Fire :
AN AFRICAN ANTHOLOGY SHORT SERIES FROM DISNEY WITH IN-PERSON DISCUSSION WITH THE AFRICAN DIRECTORS AND PRODUCERS I PART II

11:00 AM - 11:55 AM

Lunch: Skirball Courtyard

self-lunch/networking

12:00 PM - 12:55 PM

the power of diverse storytelling:
an in person conversaion with dreamworks animation

1:00 pM - 1:55 pM

marvel "moon girl and devil dinosaur" conversation:
disney television animation

2:00 pM - 2:55 pM

A conversation with wild brain studios of canada (TBD)

3:00 pM - 3:55 pM

indie animation short film award & closing remarks

4:00 pM - 4:30 pM

Lunch: Skirball Courtyard

closing industry networking reception
(industry passholder-only)

5:30 PM - 7:30 PM

PROGRAM IS SUBJECT TO SLIGHTly CHANGES

jan

bruce
smith

Show Creator And Executive
Producer, Disney Television
Animation

brown

Samantha
Brown

Senior Recruiter,
Marvel Animation
Studios

gotoh

inko
Gotoh

Vice-President,
Women In Animation

jan

Jan
Hirota

Producer, Disney
Television Animation

Nea

Nea Anna
Simone

CEO, Bespoke Media Marketing,
CEO Of Melanated Studios &
CEO Of NFT Atlanta-Con

Keith

Keith
Kellogg

Animation Director,
Lucasfilm Animation

evans

KyLee
Evans

Writer, Disney Television
Animation

Joe

Joe
Hughes

Sr. Talent Development Specialist
Warner Bros. Animation &
Cartoon Network Studios

Jan

bruce
smith

Show Creator And Executive
Producer, Disney Television
Animation

brown

Samantha
Brown

Senior Recruiter,
Marvel Animation
Studios

gotoh

inko
Gotoh

Vice-President,
Women In Animation

jan

Jan
Hirota

Producer, Disney
Television Animation

Nea

Nea Anna
Simone

CEO, Bespoke Media Marketing,
CEO Of Melanated Studios &
CEO Of NFT Atlanta-Con

Keith

Keith
Kellogg

Animation Director,
Lucasfilm Animation

Evans

KyLee
Evans

Writer, Disney Television
Animation

Joe

Joe
Hughes

Sr. Talent Development Specialist
Warner Bros. Animation &
Cartoon Network Studios

jan

bruce
smith

Show Creator And Executive
Producer, Disney Television
Animation

brown

Samantha
Brown

Senior Recruiter,
Marvel Animation
Studios

gotoh

inko
Gotoh

Vice-President,
Women In Animation

jan

Jan
Hirota

Producer, Disney
Television Animation

nea

Nea Anna
Simone

CEO, Bespoke Media Marketing,
CEO Of Melanated Studios &
CEO Of NFT Atlanta-Con

Keith

Keith
Kellogg

Animation Director,
Lucasfilm Animation

evans

KyLee
Evans

Writer, Disney Television
Animation

joe

Joe
Hughes

Sr. Talent Development Specialist
Warner Bros. Animation &
Cartoon Network Studios

jan

bruce
smith

Show Creator And Executive
Producer, Disney Television
Animation

brown

Samantha
Brown

Senior Recruiter,
Marvel Animation
Studios

gotoh

inko
Gotoh

Vice-President,
Women In Animation

jan

Jan
Hirota

Producer, Disney
Television Animation

nea

Nea Anna
Simone

CEO, Bespoke Media Marketing,
CEO Of Melanated Studios &
CEO Of NFT Atlanta-Con

Keith

Keith
Kellogg

Animation Director,
Lucasfilm Animation

evans

KyLee
Evans

Writer, Disney Television
Animation

joe

Joe
Hughes

Sr. Talent Development Specialist
Warner Bros. Animation &
Cartoon Network Studios

summit passes

AfroAnimation
2023 Pass Options

Note: Passes grant access to events listed, however, seating is subject to venue capacity. Producer Pass holders, premium seating are reserved until starting time of sessions.

General Pass
(1-day)

Access to all panel discussions for one day and Expo Hall

$119*

Mar 1 - Mar 31

General Pass
(2-days)

Access to all panel discussions for two days and Expo Hall

$210*

Mar 1 - Mar 31

Student Pass
(2-days)

Access to all panel discussions and Expo Hall.

Proof of student ID and .edu email extension required (Non-transferable)

$90*

Mar 1 - Mar 31

Industry Pass
(2-days)

All Access VIP Perks, Priority Entry, (2) Networking Receptions, Icon Awards Luncheon, Swag Bag  and Premium Seating

$330*

Mar 1 - Mar 31

virtual Pass
(1-day)

Online Streaming Only: Panel Discussions. Streaming link sent to email on April 24th and is non-transferable

$30*

Mar 1 - Mar 31

Keynote Speakers

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Dynamic Panel Discussions

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Workshops and Masterclasses

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Onsite CVs and Portfolio Reviews

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Animation Icon Awards Luncheon

In-Person

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Women in Animation Event

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Expo Hall

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Virtual Streaming Pass

View all panel discussions online

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Blockbuster Movie Trailer Screening

In-Person

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Indie Animation Short Film Competition

In-Person and Virtual

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Internship Corner

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Swag Bags and Perks

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price chart

General Pass
(1-day)

General Pass
(2-days)

STUDENT Pass
(2-days)

Industry Pass
(2-days)

virtual Pass
(1-day)

SUPER EARLY BIRD

$99 Feb 15 - Feb 28

$175 Feb 15 - Feb 28

$105 Feb 15 - Feb 28

$275 Feb 15 - Feb 28

$24 Feb 15- Feb 28

EARLY BIRD

$119 MARCH 1 - MARCH 31

$210 MARCH 1 - MARCH 31

$90 MARCH 1 - MARCH 31

$330 MARCH 1 - MARCH 31

$30 MARCH 1 - MARCH 31

STANDARD

$145 APRIL 1 - APRIL 22

$250 APRIL 1 - APRIL 22

$110 APRIL 1 - APRIL 22

$395 APRIL 1 - APRIL 22

$38 APRIL 1 - APRIL 22

AfroAnimation Indie
Short Film Competition

film

Submit your indie animation short film project for a chance to win the Animation Indie Awards.

Open

This is some text inside of a div block.

Submit CV or Portfolio for Studios
and Television Network Interviews

Submit your CV and portfolio

arrow

Have it reviewed for consideration

arrow

One-on-One interviews
with recruiters

arrow

Portfolio review feedback

arrow

Real-time networking

arrow

Get an Animation job

arrow
avatar
Writers
avatar
VR Creators
avatar
Animators
avatar
VoiceOver
Submit Now

About Founder, Co-Chair
and Executive Team

keith

Hi, I am Keith White

I attended Howard University and have been a media and tech entrepreneur for over 20+ years, working in a number of countries.

While traveling in Africa, I met many creative people who expressed an interest in connecting with their American counterpart. In 2020, the George Floyd incident occurred, corporate America advocated  for change - focused on increased diversity, equity and inclusion in its talent pipeline. It made perfect sense to create AfroAnimation.

linkedin
Rio Cyrus

Hi, I am Rio Cyrus

Rio Cyrus is an entertainment marketing & distribution veteran whose 20+ year career successful global senior positions within 20th Century Fox, The Walt Disney Company, NBC Television, Quibi and more. Rio's love for animation has seen her work on campaigns for Pixar movies, in addition to television properties Family Guy, Archer, The Simpsons. She is an innovative, digitally savvy executive who is proud to lend her talents to expanding diversity, access and exposure to the animation industry for underrepresented groups.

linkedin
LaurieMeiring

Laurie
Meiring

Chief Marketing
Officer

RosaFalu

Rosa
Falu

Head Of Short
Film Awards

KayBarnes

Kay
Barnes

Head Of Recruiting
Partnerships

SenjobiOlumide

Senjobi
Olumide

Creative Director,
AfroAnimation

Stephanie Colin

Nekeidra Donaldson

Senior Event Planner

Stephanie Colin

Trevonne Gooding-Barrow

Head of Virtual Events

Stephanie Colin

Stephanie Colin

Event Manager

Mia Howard

Mia Howard

Co-Head of High School Outreach

Jochy Garica

Jochy Garica

Videographer

Andrea Romos

Andrea Romos

University Out Reach and Partnerships

Rubaab Mohsin

Rubaab Mohsin

Manager of Social Media Organic Growth

AFROANIMATION 2022 RESULTS

ATTENDEES VIRTUAL

4889

ATTENDEES
VIRTUAL

ATTENDEE SCORE

9.3

ATTENDEE
SCORE

AVERAGE TIME SPENT

6:12 HRS

AVERAGE
TIME SPENT

NETWORK MEETINGS

3055

NETWORK
MEETINGS

SOURCE: HOPIN PLATFORM 2022

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