Animation Exposé @ OIAF 2026
Saturday, September 26th
9:30 am to 4:00 pm
Terrace Level & Canal Level, National Arts Centre (NAC), 1 Elgin St.
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.
Artist Talks
Terrace Level, O’Born Room, NAC
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.
More program updates & individual ticket links are coming soon
Artist Talk 1:
Welcome to the Future: The Making of Ray Gunn, presented by Netflix
10:00 am – 11:00 am, O’Born Room
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
Artist Talk 2:
DreamWorks Animation Presents: The Making of Forgotten Island
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm, O’Born Room
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
Artist Talk 3:
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm, O’Born Room
An exciting addition is coming soon!
Artist Talk 4:
50 Films. 50 Years. Too Many Animators on One Stage.
3:30 pm – 4:30 pm, O’Born Room
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. Stay tuned!
Moderated by:
Chris Robinson, Artistic Director, Ottawa International Animation Festival
Breakout Sessions
Canal Level, Le Salon, NAC
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.
More program updates & individual ticket links are coming soon
Animation Exhibitor Fair
9:30 am – 4:00 pm, 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!
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