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Women in Animation Celebrates 10th-Anniversary World Summit at Annecy
Women in Animation (WIA) marked a decade of advocacy with its 10th‑anniversary World Summit, a full‑day event that unfolded on Monday, June 22, 2026, inside the Salle de l’Europe of the Impérial Palace Hotel. Open to attendees of the Annecy International Animation Film Festival and the concurrent Mifa market, the summit highlighted the work of women and non‑binary creators across animation, visual effects, and games.
The theme, Frame by Frame: A Global Celebration of Women and Non‑binary Creators, underscored WIA’s mission to advance diversity in the industry. The program blended panels, discussions, and a closing fireside chat with producer Bonnie Arnold—whose credits include Toy Story, Tarzan, How to Train Your Dragon, and How to Train Your Dragon 2—to explore the evolving landscape of animated storytelling.
Program Highlights
10:00 a.m. – Enduring Voices, Essential Work – This session celebrated seasoned animators over 60 who continue to produce influential new work. Florence Miailhe, Imogen “Mo” Sutton, and Joanna Quinn shared insights into longevity and creative evolution across decades‑long careers.
11:00 a.m. – Directing Animation Today – Directors from around the globe unpacked their creative processes, current projects, and pathways into directing. The panel featured Elshadai‑Gabrielle Dawit Tedesse, Matisse Gonzalez Jordán, Lauren Montgomery, and Alyce Tzue.
2:30 p.m. – Short Films and Fresh Perspectives – Moderated by Meredith Shea of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, this discussion spotlighted directors whose short films were screening at Annecy. Karla Castañeda, Catherine LePage, Kat Messing, and Agnès Patron highlighted short films as spaces for experimentation, personal storytelling, and creative risk‑taking.
3:30 p.m. – Bonnie Arnold Fireside Chat – The summit’s closing event paired Arnold with Justin Johnson, head of program at the British Film Institute. They explored Arnold’s producing career, her involvement with WIA, and broader changes observed in the animation industry.
Additional Events
WIA also organized its annual picnic meetup on Wednesday, June 24, at the Jardins de l’Europe. The informal gathering offered a relaxed networking opportunity for artists, filmmakers, and industry professionals.
Context and Significance
Founded in 1997, WIA is a non‑profit organization that champions female animators and other under‑represented creators. The 2026 summit celebrated the ten‑year anniversary of the World Summit at Annecy, a milestone that allowed the organization to reflect on past achievements and chart a course for the next generation of creators across animation, visual effects, and games.
The Annecy International Animation Film Festival, one of the world’s leading events for animated film, ran from June 21 to 27, 2026, with the Mifa market overlapping from June 23 to 26. For festival attendees, the Bonnie Arnold conversation and the directing panel emerged as the most sought‑after sessions, while the picnic remained a popular networking option outside the formal venues.
Future Outlook
WIA announced that the summit will be recorded and later made available on its website for those unable to attend in person. President Margaret Dean emphasized the importance of visibility for women and non‑binary creators in an industry where representation remains uneven.
The 10th‑anniversary summit reinforced WIA’s commitment to fostering dialogue, mentorship, and professional development for creators worldwide. As the animation industry continues to evolve, WIA’s annual gatherings provide a platform for sharing experiences, building networks, and celebrating the creative contributions of women and non‑binary artists.
Conclusion
The 2026 Women in Animation World Summit at Annecy successfully combined panel discussions, a fireside chat with Bonnie Arnold, and a community picnic to celebrate a decade of advocacy and visibility for women and non‑binary creators in animation, visual effects, and games. The event reinforced WIA’s role as a catalyst for diversity and inclusion in the global animation community.
The theme, Frame by Frame: A Global Celebration of Women and Non‑binary Creators, underscored WIA’s mission to advance diversity in the industry. The program blended panels, discussions, and a closing fireside chat with producer Bonnie Arnold—whose credits include Toy Story, Tarzan, How to Train Your Dragon, and How to Train Your Dragon 2—to explore the evolving landscape of animated storytelling.
Program Highlights
10:00 a.m. – Enduring Voices, Essential Work – This session celebrated seasoned animators over 60 who continue to produce influential new work. Florence Miailhe, Imogen “Mo” Sutton, and Joanna Quinn shared insights into longevity and creative evolution across decades‑long careers.
11:00 a.m. – Directing Animation Today – Directors from around the globe unpacked their creative processes, current projects, and pathways into directing. The panel featured Elshadai‑Gabrielle Dawit Tedesse, Matisse Gonzalez Jordán, Lauren Montgomery, and Alyce Tzue.
2:30 p.m. – Short Films and Fresh Perspectives – Moderated by Meredith Shea of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, this discussion spotlighted directors whose short films were screening at Annecy. Karla Castañeda, Catherine LePage, Kat Messing, and Agnès Patron highlighted short films as spaces for experimentation, personal storytelling, and creative risk‑taking.
3:30 p.m. – Bonnie Arnold Fireside Chat – The summit’s closing event paired Arnold with Justin Johnson, head of program at the British Film Institute. They explored Arnold’s producing career, her involvement with WIA, and broader changes observed in the animation industry.
Additional Events
WIA also organized its annual picnic meetup on Wednesday, June 24, at the Jardins de l’Europe. The informal gathering offered a relaxed networking opportunity for artists, filmmakers, and industry professionals.
Context and Significance
Founded in 1997, WIA is a non‑profit organization that champions female animators and other under‑represented creators. The 2026 summit celebrated the ten‑year anniversary of the World Summit at Annecy, a milestone that allowed the organization to reflect on past achievements and chart a course for the next generation of creators across animation, visual effects, and games.
The Annecy International Animation Film Festival, one of the world’s leading events for animated film, ran from June 21 to 27, 2026, with the Mifa market overlapping from June 23 to 26. For festival attendees, the Bonnie Arnold conversation and the directing panel emerged as the most sought‑after sessions, while the picnic remained a popular networking option outside the formal venues.
Future Outlook
WIA announced that the summit will be recorded and later made available on its website for those unable to attend in person. President Margaret Dean emphasized the importance of visibility for women and non‑binary creators in an industry where representation remains uneven.
The 10th‑anniversary summit reinforced WIA’s commitment to fostering dialogue, mentorship, and professional development for creators worldwide. As the animation industry continues to evolve, WIA’s annual gatherings provide a platform for sharing experiences, building networks, and celebrating the creative contributions of women and non‑binary artists.
Conclusion
The 2026 Women in Animation World Summit at Annecy successfully combined panel discussions, a fireside chat with Bonnie Arnold, and a community picnic to celebrate a decade of advocacy and visibility for women and non‑binary creators in animation, visual effects, and games. The event reinforced WIA’s role as a catalyst for diversity and inclusion in the global animation community.
