The following is a press release regarding a special panel discussion entitled “The Indian Animation Industry: Pencils to Pixels to Prominence” to be held this coming Saturday, April 22, as part of the 2006 Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles.
The Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles
presents
THE INDIAN ANIMATION INDUSTRY: Pencils to Pixels to Prominence
Saturday, April 22, 2006 – @ 2:00 pm – The Arclight Cinemas, Hollywood
OVERVIEW
This IFFLA Special Event is designed as a rare North American mini-seminar on the past, present, and future of the fastest growing sector of the Indian entertainment industry. First-hand experiences and perspectives will be shared by animation industry leaders from the US and India.
Moderator
KEN SILVERMAN
President and CEO, Interactive Teamworks
As an executive, entrepreneur, and producer, Mr. Silverman has spent 4 decades engaged in US media and a decade in Indian media. His many affiliations have included BET, Cinemerica, Columbia Pictures, Dow Jones, General Electric, The Tata Group, Warner Brothers, and numerous non-profits. He is a Charter Member of The Indus Entrepreneurs [TiE], has written extensively for The India Journal, and is a frequent speaker and moderator at international media conferences.
Panelists
GOTHAM CHOPRA
Co-Founder & COO, Virgin Animation / India
An accomplished journalist and filmmaker, Mr. Chopra co-founded Virgin Animation with director Shekur Kapur, author Deepak Chopra, and Virgin Atlantic CEO, Richard Branson. The company will produce original content utilizing Indian and Asian themes and characters, targeted first to Asian markets, and subsequently for global distribution. He also wrote Bulletproof Monk, the basis for John Woo’s MGM motion picture, and he is developing several film projects for Fox.
KAREN MALACH
3D Development Producer, DisneyToon Studios / Walt Disney Company
Ms. Malach has been a forerunner in implementing 3D animation at DisneyToon Studios, where she now oversees 3D production. She began as Director of Digital Production at DTS, hiring all Digital Production staff and building and managing a team of over 40 people. Earlier in her career, she was a Visual EFX Supervisor at both Hanna-Barbara Cartoons, and at Sony Pictures Family Entertainment, and she has produced family entertainment for Fox, ABC, and Rankin/Bass.
RICHARD RICH
President, RichCrest Animation [Div. Crest Animation / INDIA]
Rick Rich is among the best known and most respected US animation creators. Beginning his career at Disney, he was the studio’s youngest ever animation director [The Fox and the Hound 1981]. After 14 years there, he founded Rich Animation, and has since produced 6 animated motion pictures and more than 60 TV & video titles, for Warner, Fox, Sony, and HBO. Rich Animation was acquired by Crest, in 2000, and among other projects, is now co-producing 3 CGI features with Lionsgate Entertainment.
MIKE YOUNG
Co-Founder & Co-CEO, Mike Young Productions, LLC.
An award-winning 30-year industry veteran, Mr. Young’s innovative approaches to production, financing, and distribution, have made MYP among the world’s most successful animation companies. It is also regarded as the US pioneer in utilizing India’s emerging animation capabilities and, to date, it has awarded $20+ million in assignments to Indian studios. Three of MYP’s series, all animated in India, are 2005 Daytime Emmy Award nominees for Best Animated TV Series.
FOR INFORMATION AND TO REGISTER:
