Animation Arts Maarket to welcome more than 1,000 animation arts professionals.
TORONTO -- On February 2, the Toronto Animation Arts Festival International announced the Animation Arts Maarket as part of its 2016 programming. Running April 23-24, TAAFI expects to welcome more than 1,000 animation professionals, students and job seeking candidates during TAAFI 2016 at George Brown College Waterfront Campus.
“The TAAFI Maarket brings recent graduates and veterans of the industry with the unique opportunity to meet face-to-face with studios from across the continent,” said Angela Stukator, TAAFI board member and Associate Dean, Animation and Game Design at Sheridan College. “It’s awesome to see connections being made and careers being sparked at TAAFI.”
In addition to job fair activities, the 2016 Animation Arts Maarket will also serve as the industry floor for companies and studios that are promoting films, series and other animation-themed projects. The Maarket exhibitor registration deadline is March 25.
“The TAAFI Maarket provides access to new and established artists,” said Carmel Roy, assistant director at Tinman Creative Studios (Super Science Friends, Todd Glass). “It allows studios the opportunity to share their corporate culture and connect one-on-one with that audience. This connection not only strengthens recruitment, but strengthens the industry as a whole, demonstrating first-hand opportunities for artists in Toronto."
TAAFI also unveiled its 2016 poster, created by Toronto-based concept artist Nneka Myers, and announced additional guests for the 2016 program. TAAFI 2016 will welcome writer and creative director Michael Rianda (Gravity Falls) and award-winning animator Michel Gagné (The Iron Giant, Ratatouille). They will be joining previously announced TAAFI 2016 guests, Eric Goldberg (Aladdin, Pocahontas), Audu Paden (Animaniacs, Pinky and The Brain), Kevin Gillis (The Raccoons) and Hanna-Barbera’s “Three Tooners” (Tony Benedict, Willie Ito and Jerry Eisenberg).
TAAFI 2016 programming will once again include animation screenings, workshops, studio sessions, guest speaking events and Toronto’s largest animation industry networking event at Corus Quay, the Nelvana Bouncing Ball (April 23). TAAFI 2016 festival passes go on sale February 22.
Source: Toronto Animation Arts Festival International