TAC 2023
Sept. 20 – 22
The Animation Conference (TAC)
This animation business forum is designed for professionals in content creation, development, production, distribution and marketing. TAC brings together key players in North America and international markets and provides a forum for active networking, practical information exchange, and trade in a comfortable and intimate environment. Running alongside the OIAF, attendees also get access to some of the world’s best talent in animation.
Make Connections
TAC is one of the best industry events you’ll find for networking. Make solid connections at organized pitching events and casual parties.
Don’t miss favourite events such as Mercury Filmwork’s Pitch THIS! and Fast Track, presented by Spin Master, a speed-meeting session that gets you in front of the buyers and production executives you want to meet.
The Toon Boom Boat Cruise is the perfect opportunity to catch up with other TAC delegates in an informal and intimate setting. This 2-hour sightseeing cruise tours Parliament Hill, The Canadian Museum of History, Rideau Falls, and other popular sites in the beautiful Capital. We heard this year’s event will be out of this world. The Boat Cruise shuttle service runs from 4:15 pm – 5:00 pm from 1 Rideau Street.
Join IDA Ireland and the Ottawa Film Office for a delicious lunch on the Wednesday and Thursday of TAC. For an end-of-the-day toast on Thursday – head to Jackson Café, 10 Daly Avenue, for the Directors Guild of Canada 5 à 7.
New this year! Art + Biz moves to the National Arts Centre (NAC) on Friday morning for some exciting programming that will help all creators find their career paths.
OIAF in partnership with the BRIC Foundation presents Art + Biz Day: BRIC @ TAC. With support from CMF, Nickelodeon, Studio Smokescreen, and Warner Brothers Discovery Access, Art + Biz Day includes a full morning of programming focused on breaking, reinventing, impacting, and changing the animation industry.
Open to all TAC and Animapass holders. Learn more at: animationfestival.ca/tac/artbiz/
Afterwards, jump on a double-decker bus at Arts Court, 2 Daly Avenue, to go to the Warner Bros. Animation and Cartoon Network Studios Animators’ Picnic.
TAC 2023 features a line-up of talks to help you navigate the animation industry today.
TAC Day 1 Schedule
Chateau Laurier, 1 Rideau Street
9:00 am – 11:40 am Pitch THIS! Semi-Finals
9:30 am – 9:45 am TAC Opening Remarks
9:50 am – 10:40 am Paw Patrol: The House That Paw Built
11:00 am – 11:50 am Kids of the Future: What Producers and Creators Need to Know
12:00 pm – 1:30 pm Luncheon presented by IDA Ireland
1:30 pm – 2:30 pm Fast Track Session 1
1:30 pm – 2:20 pm Co-production: Creating a Common Culture
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm Fast Track Session 2
2:30 pm – 3:20 pm Working Towards Well-Being in Animation
3:30 pm – 4:20 pm Diversity: Achieving Authentic Representation
4:15 pm – 5:00 pm Toon Boom Boat Cruise shuttle service from 1 Rideau Street
5:30 pm – 7:30 pm Toon Boom Boat Cruise, Ottawa River
Wednesday, September 20: Panels and Activities
9:50 am to 10:40 am
Paw Patrol: The House That Paw Built
Paw Patrol is celebrating its 10th year anniversary. Learn about the trajectory of this homegrown Canadian phenomenon that’s taken the world by storm and the creative relationship between the creators at Spin Master and animation studio Guru. What is in the future for Spin Master?
Speakers:
Dan Mokriy, VP of Production, Spin Master
Alexandra Kavalova, Senior Director Visual Development & Production Design, Spin Master
Jason McKenzie, Creative Executive, Spin Master
Frank Falcone, President and Executive Creative Director, Guru Studio
Moderator:
Lance LeFort, President, LeFort Talent Group
11:00 am to 11:50 am
Kids of the Future: What Producers and Creators Need to Know
How will kids be watching and interacting with animation in the future? What do producers and storytellers need to consider to ensure that their shows will resonate with new generations of kids? Join expert David Kleeman, as he shares insights on kids evolving preferences, and moderates a thought-provoking discussion with top animation professionals.
Speakers:
David Kleeman, Senior VP, Global Trends, Dubit
Steve Couture, CEO, Epic Storyworlds
Lauren Martinez, Vice President, Original Series and Movie Development, Warner Bros. Media and Cartoon Network Studio
Martha Sepulveda, Senior Development Executive, Cake Entertainment
Moderator:
David Kleeman, Senior VP, Global Trends, Dubit
12:00 pm to 1:30 pm
Luncheon with IDA Ireland
Canadian Room
Enjoy a delicious meal with your fellow delegates and find out why Ireland’s passion for storytelling and the arts, world-class talent pool, ease of doing business, and animation tax credits have created a culture perfectly suited for world-class animation studios to thrive.
1:30 pm to 2:20 pm
Co-production: Creating a Common Culture
Hear from experienced co-producers, who will share best practices for good communication and creative collaboration during a co-pro. Learn how to navigate co-pro roadblocks, and more on the pros, cons, and the future of co-production.
Speakers:
Karen Fowler, Vice President. Development & Production, 9 Story Media Group
Rick Morrison, President, Big Jump Entertainment
Mark Edwards, Managing Partner, Edwards Creative Law
Ghislain Cyr, Creative Director – Executive Producer, Sphere Animation
Moderator:
Sandrine Pechels de Saint Sardos, Ottawa Film Commissioner, Ottawa Film Office
2:30 pm to 3:20 pm
Working Towards Well-Being in Animation
Positive mental health increases workplace satisfaction and productivity. This panel looks at how companies are promoting well-being in their workspace and focuses on issues specific to the animation industry. The panel will include companies prioritizing mental health, highlighting their initiatives and observed benefits. It will also present tools and trainings available to the industry at large.
Speakers:
Virginie Lavallée, Co-Founder, The Happy Producers
Anja Sobkowska, Director of Production, Mercury Filmworks
Sue Jung, Head of Talent Acquisition, Guru Studio
David Hubert, Co-Founder & CEO, Agora Studio
Moderator:
Louis-Philippe (LP) Vermette, Co-Founder, The Happy Producers
3:30 pm to 4:20 pm
Diversity: Achieving Authentic Representation
The panel looks at two productions that include themes or characters that represent diversity. Hear from key creatives and how they strive for authentic representation on screen.
Speakers:
Andrea Griffith, VP of Content and Development, Sphere Media – Kids and Family
Jerry Thevenet, President, JerryCo Animation
Tanya Kelen, Founder & CEO, Kelencontent
Moderator:
Kulbinder Saran Caldwell, Founder & CEO, REALLIFE Pictures Inc
5:30 pm to 7:30 pm 
(4:15 pm bus shuttle leaves from the Château Laurier)
Toon Boom Boat Cruise
The perfect opportunity to catch up with other TAC delegates and grow your network in an informal and intimate setting. This 2-hour sightseeing cruise tours Parliament Hill, the Canadian Museum of History, Rideau Falls, and other popular sites in the beautiful Capital. Guests will be treated to drinks and charcuterie.
TAC Day 2 Schedule
Chateau Laurier, 1 Rideau Street
9:30 am – 10:30 am Broadcasters: What’s on their Wishlist
9:30 am – 10:30 am Fast Track Session 3
11:00 am – 11:50 am State of the Industry: Thriving in Disruption
11:00 am – 12:00 pm Fast Track Session 4
12:00 pm – 1:30 pm Luncheon presented by the Ottawa Film Office
1:30 pm – 2:20 pm Putting the AI in Animation
1:30 pm – 2:30 pm New Korean Projects in the Spotlight
2:30 pm – 3:20 pm From Pencils to Pixels: 30 Years of Animation with Toon Boom
2:30 pm – 3:30 pm Korea X Canada Meetings (preregistration required)
3:30 pm – 4:00 pm Coffee & Cake Break
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm Pitch THIS! Finale
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm Directors Guild of Canada 5 à 7, Jackson Café, 10 Daly Avenue
Thursday, September 21: Panels and Activities
9:30 am to 10:30 am
Broadcasters: What’s on their Wishlist?
Meet decision-makers from kids’ networks as they share their current and upcoming priorities. David Kleeman leads the discussion about what motivates their preferences and how best to reach out to them.
Speakers:
Lisa Cinelli, Executive in Charge of Production, Children’s and Youth Programming, Canadian Broadcasting Company (CBC)
Athena Georgaklis, Vice President Nelvana Studios, Nelvana / Corus Kids
Niki Williams, Sr Manager, Production and Development for Pre-K Nickelodeon
Tommy Gillespie, Senior Director, Content Production, PBS KIDS
Kirsten Hurd, Commissioning Editor, Kids TV, TVOKids
Moderator:
David Kleeman, Senior VP, Global Trends, Dubit
11:00 am – 11:50 am
State of the Industry: Thriving in Disruption
Last year, animation studios and production companies were gearing up for expansion. This year, things have been moving in another direction. Panellists from top Canadian animation companies reflect on industry trends and how to stay resilient and thrive when the only thing constant is change. Moderated by industry innovator Archita Ghosh.
Speakers:
Jennifer Twiner McCarron, CEO, Atomic Cartoons/Thunderbird Entertainment, Atomic Cartoons
Frank Falcone, President and Executive Creative Director, Guru Studio
Athena Georgaklis, Vice President Nelvana Studios, Nelvana / Corus Kids
François Houde, CFO & Co-owner, Squeeze Studio Animation
Tori Coulthart, Senior VP of Production, Jam Filled Entertainment
Moderator:
Archita Ghosh, Media and Entertainment Business Consultant
12 pm to 1:30 pm
Luncheon with the Ottawa Film Office
Canadian Room
Have a delicious lunch and celebrate Ottawa’s animation industry.
1:30 pm to 2:20 pm
Putting the AI in Animation
Kidscreen’s Ryan Tuchow talks with panellists that are using AI or exploring the options. The group will talk about their initiatives and weigh in on benefits and risks, and what to expect in the near and distant future.
Speakers:
Cory Bobiak, Creative Director (Toronto), Brown Bag Films, 9 Story Media
Paul Pattison, Founder, CEO, Relish
Neal McDougall, Assistant Executive Director, Writers Guild of Canada
Moderator:
Ryan Tuchow, News Editor, Kidscreen
1:30 pm to 2:30 pm
New Korean Projects in the Spotlight
Presented in partnership with Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA) and PILabs
MacDonald Room
Korea and Canada make a co-production dream team. See 5 new Korean projects actively seeking partnerships.
Speakers:
Eunji Lee, Hana and Molly, 5Bricks Animation Studio
Hojin Lee and Dong ah Seo, Sea Pups, Studio TNT
Jinyong Kim, FoodRANGERS, MOnE Animation
Jongseok Baek, The Headers in Wonderland, AroundEffect
Sejin Han, Coney Circus, Circus Image Works
2:30 pm to 3:20 pm
Toon Boom: From Pencils to Pixels: 30 Years of Animation
Toon Boom Animation, the developers of Harmony and Storyboard Pro, invite you to a panel discussion on how animation production pipelines have changed over the past 30 years. Learn from studio owners and veteran industry professionals who have seen and shaped the animation industry’s transition to digital technologies. Hear about challenges and successes, insights and advice, as well as how they navigated their studios to adapt to an ever-changing industry, in this panel commemorating Toon Boom Animation’s 30th anniversary.
Speakers:
Neil Hunter, Co-Coordinator / Professor, Animation, Algonquin College
Patrick Paradis, Director, Atomic Cartoons
Phil Lafrance, Creative Director / Co-Founder, Jam Filled Entertainment
Moderator:
Marc-André Bouvier, Senior Product Manager, Toon Boom Animation