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The 2022 Industry Forum is a three-part series of exciting, vital virtual community conversations to celebrate, support, and expand the children’s media field toward a more inclusive future. NYICFF alumni filmmakers and partnering organizations will offer creative inspiration and practical takeaway for industry leaders, aspiring filmmakers and creatives, students, culture workers and educators. This NYICFF event is designed to both ensure and demonstrate the value of a diverse and culturally inclusive workforce from idea to audience.
2022 industry forum events
June 14 — 2:00pm ET / 11am PT
Small is Mighty: Women Forging Paths in Animation
Featuring Marieke Baauw, Mascha Halberstad, and Marleen Slot
We’re shining a spotlight on multitasking animators forging their own, distinct paths to get their work made, including the director-producer team of Mascha Halberstad and Marleen Slot, who launched their own stop-motion studio, Marieke Baauw of the celebrated Oscar-nominated design and animation trio Job, Joris, & Marieke. We’ll look at creative business models that complement animation and enhance value proposition while slaying industry biases. PLUS: discover how small is mighty, from the Netherlands to New York.
June 21 — 5:00pm ET / 2pm PT
Fostering a Diverse Workforce
Featuring Priya Giri Desai, Camrus Johnson, and Huda Razzak
Moderated by Common Sense Media's Laura Ordoñez
We're thrilled to kick off the conversation with BIPOC filmmakers whose successes we celebrate and whose insights we will glean. Emerging and aspiring creators and students will leave with a roadmap for how to get their foot in the door. PLUS: best practices for studios and platforms to identify and support new talent telling diverse stories.
June 28 — 5:00pm ET / 2pm PT
STEM Stories on Screen
Featuring Kerri Grant, Nic Yulo, Liam Cohen, and Scott Cohen
Whether you are an educator, a change maker, a science and film nerd, or just love a good lab coat, join us to discover the profound impact that representation can have in supporting science-based careers and study and the outsized impact of representing diverse stories for women and girls to pursue STEM careers. PLUS: how to use these films and related materials to spark real change in the classroom and beyond.
2021 speakers & guests

Co-founder of Rise Up Animation, director of Netflix's Canvas, producer of Oscar®-winning short Hair Love

Founder and CEO of Queer Kid Creative, co-host of Queer Kid Stuff, and host of Activist, You!

Virtual Intensive Training Intern, The Animation Project

President, Folimage

CEO, Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media and Chair of the Board of Directors for the Television Academy Foundation

NYICFF Award-winning director (Welcome to My Life), creator of Netflix's City of Ghosts

Director of Flip the Record (NYICFF 2018) and What Isn’t There, and founder of Cinema Sala

Director of Buladó (NYICFF 2021) and Helium

Co-founder of Rise Up Animation, Executive Producer of The Christmas Chronicles

Director, NYICFF 2021 Grand Prize winner Vanille

Writer/director of Amelia's Closet (NYICFF 2017), writer, Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur

Writer of La Serenata and When We Love Someone We Sing to Them, professor at University of Oregon

Producer, NYICFF 2021 Award-winner Buladó

Head Writer at 9 Story Media

Head of Cinekid for Professionals

Co-executive producer and director of The Casagrandes

New York Times bestselling writer, showrunner of Netflix's She-Ra and the Princesses of Power

Filmmaker, Artistic Recruiter at Titmouse, and co-lead for Women in Animation, NYC Chapter

Lead Creative Arts Therapist,The Animation Project

Founder, Center for Scholars and Storytellers, UCLA research scientist

Creative manager and producer, Silvergate Media and NYICFF Programming Committee member
2022 speakers & guests

NYICFF Award-winning (2017's Heads Together), Oscar®-nominated filmmaker of the animation studio Job, Joris, & Marieke

UC Santa Barbara PhD candidate in experimental condensed matter physics; longtime NYICFF attendee

Actor (Gilmore Girls, Billions); adjunct professor, Hunter College; NYICFF Board of Directors; parent to Liam

Executive Producer, BWA Studios; talent consultant and recruiter; NYICFF Board of Directors

Award-winning writer; Executive Producer of Netflix's Ada Twist, Scientist

Animator and director of NYICFF 2022 Opening Night film OINK; co-founder, Holy Motion Studio

Two-time NYICFF Award-winning filmmaker (2022's She Dreams at Sunrise and 2020's Grab My Hand: A Letter to My Dad); actor (DC's Batwoman)

Head of Podcast Ratings and Reviews, Common Sense Media

Production Assistant, Netflix Animation; 2022 NYICFF Jury Award-winning filmmaker of The Ocean Duck

Producer or NYICFF 2022's OINK and SWOP; co-founder, Holy Motion Studio

Director of NYICFF 2022's Horizon and Knights in Newark; award-winning writer; illustrator; children's book author
For detailed panelist bios, click here.
Want more? Check out our 2021 panel discussions!
recent news
April 8, 2021 — NYICFF Announces 2021 Industry Forum