ASIFA-Hollywood announced today an exciting line-up of panel discussions planned for its inaugural ASIFA-Showcase debuting Saturday & Sunday, November 14 & 15 during the Ninth Annual Infinity Festival in Los Angeles. The ASIFA-Showcase brings together animation’s brightest talent for two days of exclusive screenings, filmmaker conversations, and industry networking. For the first time, many of the industry’s leading animation studios will offer two days of ‘For Your Consideration’ (FYC) panels, offering attendees an exclusive look at this year’s best animated work in animated feature films and television productions, hear directly from the filmmakers and creative teams behind them, and gaining greater insight into the artistry, storytelling shaping animation this awards season. ASIFA-Showcase will also help raise funds to expand the annual Annie Awards™, and plans for a second ceremony recognizing even more achievements across the Animation Industry. 

            Among the highlights of the ASIFA-Showcase, legendary actor and filmmaker Mel Brooks will participate in a panel featuring Tierney Corp’s animated short film Addicted to It. The program will include a conversation with singer and digital star Dixie D’Amelio, actor and comedian Andrew ‘King Bach’ Bachelor, and the filmmakers on bringing this project to life. The ASIFA-Showcase is also very excited to announce Seth Rogen joining the star studded lineup. He will join a panel with Lauren Miller Rogen, director Leah Nelson, and co-writer Sarah Leavitt highlighting the animated feature, Tangles. The celebration will continue into the evening with a special Infinity Festival screening of the film.

            Other spotlights include award-winning director Brad Bird, the filmmaker behind beloved animated classics The Incredibles, Ratatouille, and The Iron Giant, who will join Netflix for a special presentation of his long-awaited animated film Ray Gunn, offering attendees a behind-the-scenes look at the project. Tyree Dillihay, director of Sony Pictures Animation’s GOAT, will join Kristine Belson, president of Sony Pictures Animation, for a special conversation about GOAT. Disney Kids and Family will present Bruce W. Smith, creator of The Proud Family: Wizmas holiday special, while 20th Television Animation will spotlight David Silverman, one of the original creative talents behind The Simpsons. Additional leading creatives include Lauren Montgomery, director of Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender; Netflix’s Steps directors Alyce Tzue and John Ripa; Forgotten Island directors Joel Crawford and Januel P. Mercado; The Violinist directors Ervin Han and Raúl García; and Louise Bagnall, director of Cartoon Saloon’s Julián, among others.

            “The response to our first Showcase has shown us just how much enthusiasm there is for bringing everyone together to celebrate Animation,” said ASIFA-Hollywood Executive Director Aubry Mintz. “We’re bringing together an incredible range of talent and studios, and we see this as the beginning of something much bigger. Our goal is to make the Showcase an annual destination for the animation industry, its artists and professional members that we’re here to support.”

            Participating studios and independent filmmakers of this year’s Showcase include Apple TV, Cartoon Saloon, Crunchyroll, Disney/Pixar, Disney Kids and Family Television, IFC, LAIKA, Marvel Animation, Netflix Animation, Paramount+, Sony Pictures Animation, The Violinist, Tierney Corp, Universal Pictures/DreamWorks Animation and Warner Bros. Pictures Animation. Media partners Cartoon Brew and Variety, and Wacom joining as a technology sponsor.

            To attend the ASIFA-Showcase, become a professional member at https://asifa-hollywood.org/programs/asifa-showcase. Space is limited and advance registration is required. Members who make a $20 tax-deductible contribution via https://asifa-hollywood.org/support-us, will receive priority seating. Please include ‘ASIFA- Showcase’ in the description box. ASIFA-Hollywood membership includes complimentary access to all four days of Infinity Festival, November 12 to 15, giving members the full festival alongside the two days of Showcase programming. 

            ASIFA-Hollywood is the world’s foremost professional organization dedicated to promoting the Art of Animation and celebrating the people who create it. Today, ASIFA-Hollywood, the largest chapter of the international organization ASIFA, supports a wide range of animation activities and preservation efforts through its membership. Current initiatives include the Animation Archive, Animation Aid Foundation, Animation Educators’ Forum (AEF), film preservation, open-source support, special events, screenings and the annual Annie Awards™.

            Infinity Festival Hollywood is Entertainment × Tech. Founded in Los Angeles in 2018, the annual festival brings together the people and companies shaping how entertainment is created, experienced and shared. 

            For more information on ASIFA-Showcase please visit https://asifa-hollywood.org/programs or https://www.infinityfestival.com/