Animation Exposé @ OIAF 2026
Saturday, September 26th
9:30 am to 4:00 pm
National Arts Centre (NAC), 1 Elgin St., Terrace Level & Canal Level
Step behind the scenes into the world of animation at Animation Exposé! This incredible day at the National Arts Centre offers a rare look at how your favourite films and shows come to life. Meet the artists, studios, and storytellers shaping the industry today, and explore how imagination turns into art, frame by frame. From hands-on demos to inspiring conversations, whether you’re a casual fan or a budding creator, discover pathways to celebrate or turn your passion for animation into a career. Animation Exposé is a vibrant showcase, an exposé in the truest sense, of the talent, tools, and ideas behind the screen.
Entry to the Exhibitor Fair is free and open to the public. A ticket or AnimaPass is required to enter Artist Talks at Animation Exposé.
Animation Exposé 2026
9:30 am–4:00 pm
Animation Exposé Exhibitor Fair
10:00–11:00 am
ARTIST TALK
Welcome to the Future: The Making of Ray Gunn
Presented by Netflix
10:30–11:15 am
BREAKOUT
New Ways to Think About 2D Animation with Moho
11:15 am–12:00 pm
✍️ SIGNING
Ray Gunn Lithograph Signing
With Brad Bird, Adel Abada, Jason Ryan & Neysa Bové
11:15–11:45 am
🎨 LIVE DRAWING
Cosplay Live Drawing
12:00–1:00 pm
ARTIST TALK
DreamWorks Animation Presents: The Making of Forgotten Island
12:30–1:15 pm
BREAKOUT
In Conversation with Cordell Barker
Presented by the NFB & ASIFA Hollywood
1:15–2:15 pm
✍️ SIGNING
Forgotten Island Lithograph Signing
With Januel P. Mercado, Sean Sexton, Ryan Carlson & Scott Cullen
1:15–1:45 pm
🎨 LIVE DRAWING
Cosplay Live Drawing
1:30–2:15 pm
BREAKOUT
Odyssey: 2D Animation Inside Unreal Engine
2:00–3:00 pm
ARTIST TALK
Meet the Animated Feature Competition Filmmakers
2:45–3:45 pm
BREAKOUT
Cookies, Careers & Connections
Presented by Walt Disney Animation Studios
3:30–4:00 pm
🎨 LIVE DRAWING
Cosplay Live Drawing
3:30–4:30 pm
ARTIST TALK
50 Films. 50 Years. Too Many Animators on One Stage
Artist Talks
NAC: O’Born Room (Terrace Level)
Get the ultimate animation experience at Animation Exposé! Meet the wizards behind the curtain at the Artist Talk Series, showcasing artists from your favourite projects, including never-before-seen surprises and tips on a career in animation!
Entry to the Exhibitor Fair is free and open to the public. A ticket or AnimaPass is required to enter Artist Talks at Animation Exposé.
Welcome to the Future: The Making of Ray Gunn, presented by Netflix
10:00 am – 11:00 am, NAC: O’Born Room (Terrace Level)
Join two-time Academy Award winner Brad Bird for an in-depth look at his long-awaited passion project, Ray Gunn, from Netflix and Skydance Animation. Alongside key collaborators Adel Abada (VFX Supervisor, Cinesite), Jason Ryan (Head of Character Animation, Cinesite), and Neysa Bové (Costume Designer, Skydance Animation), Brad will explore the film’s creative journey, the artistic influences behind its distinctive retro-futuristic aesthetic, and the technical craftsmanship that brought the vibrant world and unforgettable characters of Metropia to life.
Speakers:
Brad Bird, Director
Adel Abada, VFX Supervisor, Cinesite
Jason Ryan, Head of Character Animation, Cinesite
Neysa Bové, Costume Designer, Skydance Animation
Moderator/Host:
Jamie Lang, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief, Cartoon Brew
11:15 am – 12:00 pm, Ray Gunn Lithograph Signing with Brad Bird, Adel Abada, Jason Ryan, and Neysa Bové, NAC: Lantern / Rossy Foyer (Terrace Level)
Signings will try to include as many attendees as possible within one hour, but OIAF cannot guarantee all those in line will be served
DreamWorks Animation Presents: The Making of Forgotten Island
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm, NAC: O’Born Room (Terrace Level)
Presented by DreamWorks Animation and Universal Pictures
Go behind the scenes of DreamWorks Animation’s dazzling new original feature Forgotten Island with Januel P. Mercado (Writer/Director), Sean Sexton (Head of Character Animation), Ryan Carlson (Production Designer) and Scott Cullen (Head of Cinematography, Layout). Discover how the creative team brought the fantastical island of Nakali to life, crafting a visually stunning adventure inspired by Filipino mythology and an emotional story about two lifelong best friends fighting to keep their memories, and their friendship, alive.
Speakers:
Januel P. Mercado, Writer/Director
Sean Sexton, Head of Character Animation
Ryan Carlson, Production Designer
Scott Cullen, Head of Cinematography & Layout
Moderator:
Ramin Zahed, Editor in Chief/Author, Animation Magazine
1:15 pm – 2:15 pm, ✍️ Forgotten Island Lithograph Signing with Januel P. Mercado, Sean Sexton, Ryan Carlson, and Scott Cullen, NAC: Lantern / Rossy Foyer (Terrace Level)
Signings will try to include as many attendees as possible within one hour, but OIAF cannot guarantee all those in line will be served
Meet the Animated Feature Competition Filmmakers
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm, NAC: O’Born Room (Terrace Level)
Go behind the scenes of this year’s animated feature competition at OIAF. Bringing together filmmakers from around the world, this Artist Talk explores creative processes, storytelling approaches, and the unique challenges of feature animation, offering insight into the diverse perspectives shaping the medium today. The discussion concludes with an audience Q&A, inviting direct engagement with these filmmakers.
Speakers:
Kenji Nakamura, 『劇場版モノノ怪 第三章 蛇神』(Mononoke the Movie: Chapter III – The Curse of the Serpent) (Japan)
Xi Chen, Girlfriends Of Father (China)
Leah Nelson, Tangles (Canada, United States)
Christopher Sullivan, The Orbit of Minor Satellites (United States)
Moderator:
Keltie Duncan, Film Programmer
50 Films. 50 Years. Too Many Animators on One Stage.
3:30 pm – 4:30 pm, NAC: O’Born Room (Terrace Level)
Celebrate OIAF’s 50th anniversary with an unprecedented gathering of the artists behind Canada’s Top 50 Animated Films. Expect behind-the-scenes stories, friendly debates, forgotten memories, and the unpredictable magic (chaotic magic?) that happens when generations of Canadian animation talent share the same stage and OIAF Artistic DIrector, Chris Robinson has to moderate them. Sorry, Chris!
Speakers – A lot of animators:
Bruce Alcock, At the Quinte Hotel
David Barlow-Krelina, Bless You
Cordell Barker, The Cat Came Back
Carol Beecher, Abandon Bob Hope, All Ye Who Enter Here
Nicolas Brault, Squame
Terril Calder, Meneath: The Hidden Island of Ethics
Winston Hacking, Erodium Thunk
Jean-Sébastien Hamel, Un trou dans la poitrine (A Crab in the Pool)
Anne Koizumi, In the Shadow of the Pines
Ivan Li, Finding Uranus
Alexandra Myotte, Un trou dans la poitrine (A Crab in the Pool)
Guillaume Pelletier-Auger, What the Walls Feel as They Stare at Rob Ford Sitting in His Office
Janet Perlman, Why Me?, My Favourite Things That I Love
Janet Poirier, Two Weeks – Two Minutes
David Seitz, The Mixy Tapes
Elise Simard, Beau comme ailleurs (Beautiful Like Elsewhere)
Steven Woloshen, The Curse of the Voodoo Child
Michael Wray, The Mixy Tapes
More to come. Stay tuned!
Moderated by:
Chris Robinson, Artistic Director, Ottawa International Animation Festival
Breakout Sessions
NAC: Le Salon (Canal Level)
Take a deeper dive into the art and business of animation through intimate presentations, live demonstrations, software showcases, and fireside chats. Explore new tools, techniques, and career pathways while connecting with industry professionals.
Tickets to the Breakout Sessions are free and recommended to reserve a seat.
Breakout:
New Ways to Think About 2D Animation with Moho
10:30 am – 11:15 am, NAC: Le Salon (Canal Level)
Víctor Paredes, animator and co-owner of Moho Animation Software, will explain how to create 2D animation in new non-traditional ways, while keeping total control over the final result. With examples from Wolfwalkers, Star Wars Visions – Screecher’s Reach, My Father’s Dragon and Scavengers Reign, Víctor will showcase rigs and vector drawings that can live together with traditional animation. Drop in to see how Moho’s rigging tools, particles, physics, flexible brushes and smart boiling not only simplify the process, but can also provide new ways to give life to the artwork.
Breakout:
In Conversation with Cordell Barker, presented by the NFB and ASIFA Hollywood
12:30 pm – 1:15 pm, NAC: Le Salon (Canal Level)
Join acclaimed Canadian animator Cordell Barker and animation educator and industry leader Aubry Mintz, Executive Director, ASIFA Hollywood, for an engaging conversation presented by the National Film Board of Canada (NFB) and ASIFA-Hollywood. Hear stories from his celebrated career, gain insight into his creative process, and enjoy an engaging conversation on the art, craft, and future of animation, followed by audience Q&A.
Breakout:
Odyssey: 2D Animation Inside Unreal Engine
1:30 pm – 2:15 pm, NAC: Le Salon (Canal Level)
Did you know you can create storyboards, 2D animation, 2D VFX, and 2D games directly inside Unreal Engine?
Discover Odyssey, the free plugin developed by Praxinos to bring professional 2D animation workflows into Unreal. Learn how artists and studios can combine the power of real-time 3D with the flexibility of 2D production.
Breakout:
Cookies, Careers & Connections, presented by Walt Disney Animation Studios
2:45 pm – 3:45 pm, NAC: Le Salon (Canal Level)
Interested in learning more about early career opportunities at Disney Animation? Join them for a breakout session highlighting upcoming early career roles, insights into the studio, and advice for future applicants. Stay for the conversation, networking, and sweet treats!
Animation Exhibitor Fair
9:30 am – 4:00 pm, NAC: Lantern Room, Rossy Pavilion & Foyer (Terrace Level)
Are you looking for the right animation school program or your next career opportunity? Pack up your portfolio and introduce yourself to representatives from animation schools, studios, and more at the Animation Exposé Exhibitor Fair. Visit with a variety of representatives from Canadian and international companies to learn about upcoming opportunities in the world of animation!
Entry to the Exhibitor Fair is free and open to the public. A ticket or AnimaPass is required for entry to Artist Talks at Animation Exposé.
More program updates are coming soon!
Signings
11:15 am – 12:00 pm, Ray Gunn Lithograph Signing with Brad Bird, Adel Abada, Jason Ryan, and Neysa Bové, NAC: Lantern / Rossy Foyer (Terrace Level)
Signings will try to include as many attendees as possible within one hour, but OIAF cannot guarantee all those in line will be served
1:15 pm – 2:15 pm, ✍️ Forgotten Island Lithograph Signing with Januel P. Mercado, Sean Sexton, Ryan Carlson, and Scott Cullen, NAC: Lantern / Rossy Foyer (Terrace Level)
Signings will try to include as many attendees as possible within one hour, but OIAF cannot guarantee all those in line will be served
Animation Exposé Archive
Previous guests have included:
Chris Lavis, Oscar-winning director of The Girl Who Cried Pearls
Malcon Pierce, director (Versa) and animator (Tangled, Frozen, Big Hero 6, Encanto)
Legendary Canadian animator Kevin Gillis, creator of The Raccoons
The creative team behind Netflix’s In Your Dreams, including Writer/Director Alex Woo (Incredibles II, Finding Dory), Head of Character Animation Sacha Kapijimpanga, and VFX supervisor Nicky Lavender (The Mitchells vs. the Machines, Edge of Tomorrow, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban).
Gints Zilbalodis, Oscar-winning director of Flow
The creative team behind DreamWorks Animation’s Oscar-nominated The Wild Robot, including Writer/Director Chris Sanders (How to Train Your Dragon, Lilo & Stitch), Production Designer Raymond Zibach (Kung Fu Panda), Head of Story Heidi Jo Gilbert (Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, The Princess and the Frog) and Film Editor Mary Blee (How to Train Your Dragon, Treasure Planet).
Charles Huettner, Show Creator and Jonathan Djob-Nkondo, Director, Writer, Character Designer for Scavengers Reign ‘
Michael Yates, Series co-creator, Writer, Director of Pixar’s Win or Lose, senior creative team member for Hoppers, Turning Red, and Soul
Nick Bruno & Troy Quane, Oscar-nominated directors of Nimona
Celebrated artist Luke Pearson talks with award-winning Director Andy Coyle about the art of Hilda
A Masterclass with director Hisko Hulsing (Undone)
Deep dive into the work of animator Masaaki Yuasa (Inu-Oh, Devilman Crybaby, Mind Game)
Walt Disney Animation Studios directors Dan Abraham (Baymax!, Story Artist, Encanto) and Trent Correy (Zootopia+, Animation Supervisor, Frozen 2)
We Lost Our Human creators Rikke Asbjoern (Creator/Executive Producer), Mani Beil (Line Producer), Chris Garbutt (Creator/Executive Producer)
Vivienne Medrano, creator of Hazbin Hotel and Helluva Boss
Batwheels producers Simon J. Smith (Supervising Producer), Michael G. Stern (Showrunner, co-Executive Producer)
Walt Disney Animation Studios Head of Animation Scott Clark (Zootopia 2, Luca, Toy Story 3, Up, The Incredibles, Monster’s Inc. and more!)
Prime Video’s The Boys Presents: Diabolical with Madeleine Flores (Director), Simon Racioppa (Showrunner / Executive Producer), Giancarlo Volpe (Supervising Director)
Rebecca Sugar, creator of Steven Universe and storyboard artist for Adventure Time and Hotel Transylvania
Matthew A. Cherry and Bruce W. Smith, Oscar-winning directors of Hair Love
Chris Butler, director of ParaNorman and Missing Link, writer of Kubo and the Two Strings, Masters of the Universe and Wildwood
Ralph Bakshi, director of Fritz the Cat and The Lord of the Rings
Henry Sellick, director of Coraline and The Nightmare Before Christmas