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Pixar’s Mary Coleman to Keynote Kidscreen Summit 2016

Head of creative development at Pixar Animation Studios to illustrate the special relationship between narrative and technological innovation that has produced some of the best animated films of all time.

TORONTO – Kidscreen, who is currently gearing up to celebrate its 20th anniversary, has announced that Mary Coleman, Head of Creative Development at Pixar Animation, will open the year’s biggest event for leaders in children’s entertainment with a presentation that explores the studio’s unique and highly successful creative process.

From its first movie, Toy Story (1995), to this year’s Inside Out and The Good Dinosaur, storytelling needs have been driving the development of ground-breaking technology at Pixar for over two decades. Sharing film clips and insider anecdotes, Coleman will illustrate this special relationship between narrative and technological innovation that has produced some of the best animated films of all time.

The full conference program for Kidscreen Summit 2016 is now available online, and it’s chock-full of sessions exploring new strategies and trends, innovative ideas and practical business solutions.

“Then, Now & Next” sessions on the first day of the event will feature industry-leading execs who have grown up in their fields of expertise over the course of Kidscreen’s 20-year history. They will be at Kidscreen Summit to take a look back at the critical changes that have shaped the business to help understand how we’ve gotten to where we are today, and where we might go next. Joining Pixar’s Mary Coleman in this series are former Nickelodeon maven Geraldine Laybourne, Toys“R”Us, Inc. EVP and Global Chief Merchandising Officer Richard Barry, Frederator Networks CEO Fred Siebert and two of the founding fathers of DHX Media, Steven DeNure and Neil Court.

Day two opens with Oscar-winning actor Geena Davis delivering a keynote address entitled “If She Can See It, She Can Be It”. Recognized for her advocacy of women and girls as much as for her on-screen accomplishments, Davis has made it her life-long mission to bring gender equality into children’s media. And in this presentation, she’ll detail her work at the forefront of changing female portrayals and gender stereotypes within the entertainment industry to dramatically alter how girls and women are reflected in media targeting children ages 11 and under.

Set to run from February 8 to 11 next year, Kidscreen Summit 2016 will once again take place at the InterContinental Miami, a contemporary luxury hotel located on prime waterfront in downtown Miami, and just minutes away from South Beach, the Design District, Coconut Grove’s bohemian village, and the many galleries, restaurants and boutique shops in Coral Gables.

In 2015, the event welcomed attendees from 54 countries around the world, including more than 450 kids programming buyers and investors looking for new content and partners. Its unique positioning as a conference and a market lets delegates customize their Summit experience to suit their goals and priorities. Offering an unparalleled conference program and networking opportunities, the event is the perfect place to learn about the latest trends, issues and opportunities and connect with the industry’s top decision-makers.

Registration for Kidscreen Summit 2016 is now open. More information is available here.

Source: Kidscreen

Jennifer Wolfe's picture

Formerly Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network, Jennifer Wolfe has worked in the Media & Entertainment industry as a writer and PR professional since 2003.