News

This year’s edition of the View Conference, an English-speaking event taking place between Oct. 15-20 in the Italian city of Turin, has been greatly influenced by some of the most urgent questions permeating the entertainment industry today.

A world-class event on animation, VFX, games, Ar, VR, Xr, Mr, virtual production, Metaverse and immersive media, the 24th edition of the conference has a heavy focus on animation and artificial intelligence, with a key desire to investigate the future of storytelling.

“The conference is a stage to talk about the impact of innovative technologies on the creative industries, so obviously AI is a big theme,” CEO and executive director of the View conference Maria Elena Gutierrez tells Variety.

Panels such as “AI and Education,” “Out of Distribution: Thriving Creatively in the Age of AI” and “Copyright and How to Secure Your Digital Artworks” invite industry professionals to discuss the current ramifications...

The Italian premiere of Illumination and Universal Pictures’ upcoming animated feature “Migration” rounds out the lineup for this year’s View Conference in Turin, Italy. The conference, which brings together top industry professionals, thought leaders and enthusiasts to celebrate the latest achievements in animation, VFX and games, runs from Oct. 15 through Oct. 20.

“Migration” director Benjamin Renner will offer a presentation on the making of the film, which follows the Mallard family on a surprising journey outside of their New England home. Lending their voices to the project are Kumail Nanjiani, Elizabeth Banks, Awkwafina, Carol Kane and Danny DeVito. The film opens in the U.S. on Dec. 22.

“It is an honor to welcome Benjamin Renner to our live stage at View Conference 2023,” says conference director Maria Elena Gutierrez. “This Italian premiere event will give our global audience an exclusive preview of this highly anticipated movie, which enjoys its theatrical release this coming holiday season.

Director Sam Fell will bring his animated feature “Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget,” from Netflix and Aardman, to the View Conference in Turin, Italy, where it will have its Italian premiere. Fell will discuss the making of the film during the conference, which will run from Oct. 15-20.

Fell was nominated for an animated feature Academy Award, along with Chris Butler, for Laika’s 2012 stop-motion film “ParaNorman” and was nominated for a BAFTA Award alongside David Bowers for the animated film “Flushed Away,” from DreamWorks Animation and Aardman. “Dawn of the Nugget,” which features the voices of Thandiwe Newton, Zachary Levi and Bella Ramsey, is a sequel to the 2000 Aardman stop-motion feature “Chicken Run” and follows chicken freedom fighters Ginger and Rocky as they raise their daughter Molly.

“For many years, Aardman has shared its unique vision of the world through the wonderful medium of stop-motion animation. It’s...

Pixar vice president and creative director Peter Sohn will talk about his new animated film “Elemental” at the View Conference in Turin, Italy, which runs from Oct. 15-20. Sohn will attend the conference in person to discuss the creative journey he took to bring the story to the screen.

“I’m so excited to welcome Peter Sohn to View Conference 2023,” says conference director Maria Elena Gutierrez. “Peter is a true force of nature – a multi-talented storyteller, film director, animator, actor; you name it. In bringing his unique energy and wisdom to View Conference, he is certain to leave our global audience feeling energized and inspired.”

Sohn has been with Pixar since 2000, working on such Pixar classics as “Finding Nemo,” “The Incredibles” and “Wall-e.” He directed the 2009 short film “Partly Cloudy” before making his feature directing debut with “The Good Dinosaur” in 2015. In addition to working in the art, story and animation departments,...

The View Conference will host a virtual talk with the filmmakers behind Pixar’s “Lightyear” on Tuesday, June 28, and has announced the first speakers for its largely in-person event in Turin, Italy, from Oct. 16-21.

The free PreVIEW online event features director Angus MacLane, producer Galyn Susman, animation supervisor David DeVan and simulation and tailoring supervisor Fran Kalal. They’ll share a behind-the-scenes look at the animated adventure that follows the Space Ranger character that inspired the Buzz Lightyear action figure from Pixar’s “Toy Story” franchise.

“We are over the moon to join forces with our friends at Pixar for this special PreVIEW panel,” says conference director Maria Elena Gutierrez. “Meeting Angus MacLane and his creative team is a wonderful way to celebrate the launch of this much-anticipated film and also to whet the appetite for our main conference program in October.”

The View Conference highlights the top creative minds in visual effects,...

The View Conference in association with Baobab Studios and Ogr is presenting free virtual panels with the creatives behind some of the season’s most critically acclaimed animated films.

First up is a free virtual screening and conversation with the filmmakers behind “Namoo,” the shortlisted animated short by Oscar-nominated Erick Oh. In addition to Oh, speakers will include Baobab Studios’ co-founders Maureen Fan and Eric Darnell, who produced “Namoo,” art director Eusong Lee and lead Quill artist Nick Ladd. Oscar-winning director Peter Ramsey will moderate.

The panel will take place Friday, Feb. 11, at 10 a.m. Pt.

“Namoo,” which means tree in Korean, follows one man’s journey from birth to death, touching on beautiful and heartbreaking moments throughout his life. The film, which was created in VR and 2D, was produced by Baobab Studios and executive produced by John Cho, and produced by Baobab’s Fan, Darnell, Larry Cutler and Kane Lee.