Inaugural Forum · 2026

ANIMA: The American
Animation Forum

A structured, moderated convening for educators, independent creators, and industry professionals examining the trajectory of American animation.

Get Tickets Speaker Interest

Closed virtual event·Ticketed access·Recorded and archived

About

What is ANIMA?

ANIMA is a national forum dedicated to examining the artistic, economic, and structural future of American animation.

By convening educators, independent creators, and industry professionals, ANIMA fosters focused dialogue on identity, sustainability, and global positioning within the animation arts.

The forum is designed as a structured, moderated environment for thoughtful exchange rather than promotion or advocacy, with the goal of strengthening long-term understanding across sectors of the animation field.

Structured dialogue

Moderated panels designed for depth, clarity, and respectful exchange.

Research-informed

Grounded in context, case studies, and field experience rather than hot takes.

Cross-sector

Built to include academia, independent practice, and industry perspectives in the same room.

Who ANIMA is for

  • Animation educators and program leaders
  • Independent animators and filmmakers
  • Industry professionals and production leaders
  • Researchers, critics, and historians of animation
  • Creators interested in global cultural exchange
Framework

Three pillars of the forum

01 — ARTISTIC IDENTITY

Artistic Identity

What defines American animation as a cultural art form? How does stylistic identity emerge, and what factors shape its development?

02 — INFRASTRUCTURE

Infrastructure & Sustainability

How are creators supported within current systems? What structural conditions influence long-term artistic and economic viability?

03 — GLOBAL CONTEXT

Global Context

How does American animation participate in the international landscape? What lessons can be observed from other national animation ecosystems?

Forum 2026

ANIMA Forum 2026

"American Animation at a Crossroads: Art Form, Industry, or Both?"

The inaugural ANIMA Forum examines the evolving relationship between artistic identity and production infrastructure in American animation.

Through moderated panel discussions, participants will explore how industry systems, education pipelines, and independent practices intersect — and what this means for American animation as a cultural force.

Format

  • Fully virtual, closed registration
  • Hosted via private Discord Stage
  • Moderated panels with structured Q&A
  • Recorded and professionally archived
  • Approx. 5–6 hours total program length

Schedule

Full schedule announced after speaker confirmations.

TBDOpening framing + forum orientation
TBDPanel 1 — Identity & Aesthetic
TBDPanel 2 — Infrastructure & Sustainability
TBDPanel 3 — Global Context
TBDClosing roundtable + next steps
P1

Panel 1 — Identity & Aesthetic

Does American animation have a cohesive artistic identity? What shapes it, fragments it, or strengthens it?

P2

Panel 2 — Infrastructure & Sustainability

How do education, production realities, and economic incentives influence what gets made — and who can keep making it?

P3

Panel 3 — Global Context

What can be observed from other national animation ecosystems, and how does the U.S. position itself culturally on the global stage?

CR

Closing Roundtable

If American animation is at a crossroads, what road should it take over the next five years?

Speakers

Speakers

Speaker announcements are forthcoming. ANIMA aims to include voices from education, independent practice, and industry.

TBA

To be announced

Animation Educator / Academic

Details coming soon.

TBA

To be announced

Independent Animator / Filmmaker

Details coming soon.

TBA

To be announced

Industry Professional

Details coming soon.

TBA

To be announced

International Perspective

Details coming soon.

Interested in speaking? Submit the Speaker Interest form below.

Tickets

Tickets

Ticketing is designed to keep ANIMA accessible while maintaining a focused, committed audience.

Student
$5
  • Live access to all sessions
  • Private Discord access during the event
  • Ability to submit Q&A questions
Purchase — $5
Most Popular
Standard
$10
  • Live access to all sessions
  • 30-day replay access
  • Curated resource list PDF
  • Private Discord access during the event
Purchase — $10
Professional
$15
  • Live access to all sessions
  • Lifetime replay access
  • Curated resource list PDF
  • Private post-event discussion channel (2 weeks)
  • Early access to the next ANIMA announcement
Purchase — $15
  • This is a closed virtual event. Access details will be emailed after purchase.
  • The forum is recorded. Edited archives are provided according to ticket tier.
  • Refund and transfer terms apply — see Terms & Refund Policy.
Speak at ANIMA

Speaker Interest

If you're interested in participating as a speaker at ANIMA Forum 2026, we'd love to hear from you. ANIMA seeks voices from across sectors — education, independent practice, industry, criticism, and international contexts.

Speaker confirmations will be announced publicly before ticket sales open.

The form asks for:

  • Name & Role / Affiliation
  • Short bio
  • Why you're interested in ANIMA
  • Panel(s) you'd be best suited for
  • Links (portfolio / publications / talks)
  • Time zone and availability

Submit Speaker Interest

Complete the short form to express interest. We review all submissions and follow up directly.

Open Speaker Interest Form →

Opens in a new tab (Google Forms)

Supporters

ANIMA is an independent forum initiative.

ANIMA programming is curated for structured dialogue and is not intended as promotional content.

BluePotatoStudios
Supporting Sponsor
Contact

Get in touch

Questions, partnership inquiries, or press requests — reach out anytime.

contact@animaforum.org

We respond to all inquiries within 3–5 business days.

Stay updated

Get speaker announcements, schedule updates, and ticket info sent directly to you.

Join the mailing list →
Policy

Code of Conduct

Effective date: [Insert Date]  ·  Applies to: ANIMA Forum events, Discord server, live sessions, and associated communications

1.Purpose

ANIMA is a structured forum for thoughtful dialogue about the artistic, economic, and structural trajectory of American animation. We aim to create an environment where educators, independent creators, and industry professionals can engage seriously and respectfully.

2.Expected Behavior

All participants — including attendees, speakers, staff, sponsors, and guests — are expected to:

  • Be respectful and constructive. Disagree with ideas without attacking people.
  • Engage in good faith. Ask questions to understand; avoid derailing conversation.
  • Respect time and structure. Follow moderator direction and event pacing.
  • Use inclusive, professional language. Avoid slurs, demeaning remarks, or targeted hostility.
  • Protect privacy. Do not share personal information about others without consent.

3.Unacceptable Behavior

ANIMA does not permit:

  • Harassment, intimidation, threats, stalking, or sustained disruption
  • Discriminatory language or behavior (race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, etc.)
  • Hate speech, sexual harassment, or unwanted sexual attention
  • Doxxing or encouraging others to dox
  • Sharing non-consensual recordings, screenshots, or quotes from private channels
  • Impersonation, fraud, or attempts to bypass paid access controls
  • Excessive self-promotion, solicitation, or spam (including unsolicited DMs to attendees)
  • Posting or distributing illegal content

4.Recording and Content Use

  • ANIMA sessions are recorded for archival and attendee replay access.
  • ANIMA may publish edited highlights after the event.
  • Attendees will not be brought "on stage" without consent.
  • Participants may not redistribute recordings provided through ticket access, unless explicitly permitted in writing.

5.Discord Guidelines (Event Server)

To preserve a professional environment:

  • Follow channel purposes and posting rules.
  • Use the Q&A channel for questions (as directed by moderators).
  • Do not "backseat moderate" speakers or attendees.
  • Keep discussions on-topic and avoid brigading or pile-ons.
  • Respect staff instructions regarding mutes, timeouts, and channel locks.

6.Reporting Concerns

If you experience or witness behavior that violates this Code of Conduct:

Email: contact@animaforum.org

Or DM a staff member listed in #rules-and-code-of-conduct on the event Discord.

If you are in immediate danger, contact local emergency services.

7.Enforcement

ANIMA staff may take any action deemed appropriate, including:

  • Verbal warning
  • Message removal
  • Temporary mute or timeout
  • Removal from a channel or session
  • Removal from the Discord server
  • Ticket revocation without refund (for serious or repeated violations)
  • Permanent ban from future ANIMA events

We will consider context and severity. We prioritize the safety and integrity of the forum over participation.

8.Anti-Retaliation

Retaliation against anyone who reports a concern in good faith is not permitted and may result in removal.

9.Contact

Questions about this policy:

contact@animaforum.org