A common sentiment regarding Canadian animation schools and programs is that the courses, while beneficial to teach essential skills and industry standards, often teach you how to be a cog in the machine, and not an actual storyteller. Learning how to switch paths– from cog to creator– is a matter of thinking holistically about story, to creating pathways for unique opportunities, and understanding the nature of business (a facet artists historically struggle with).

But Kiana Mai Khansmith (Pretty Pretty Please I Don’t Want to be a Magical Girl!, Big City Greens), and Warren Leonhardt (Nimona, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish) are shining examples of artists who made the change, and have found the right blend of creativity and business to make a career for themselves! In this panel moderated by Randeep Katari (Epic, The Peanuts Movie), they’ll help provide an understanding of how to create something authentically artistic that also makes sense from a business point of view, and how to navigate the functions of the job.

This business-savvy panel can be found at our Industry Conference on Saturday April 12th at the Courtyard Toronto Downtown (475 Yonge Street, Toronto, Ontario) in the Courtyard Hall!

Have you heard? Indie Animation is H U G E right now! 2024 was the year for indie animation, with countless incredible independent studios and self-funded shows making their way across the internet right now, uniting up and coming talent and industry pros as they pour their very heart and soul, every last ounce of creativity, and just a little bit of magic, into bringing their passion projects to life.

We here at TAAFI have been making great strides to promote and support independent animation over the years, and 2025 will be no different! For this year’s MEGA FEST, we are proud to announce we’ll be featuring Zi Chen (Ramshackle, Pinepoint), Ren Abueg, and Kiana Mai Khansmith from Disney Television Animation (Big City Greens show), as well as Noam Sussman in a panel of their very own!

Together, they’ll chat about how they brought their respective creations to life, their plans for their respective projects, and more as they look forward to the future— and inspiring future independent artists to follow in their footsteps!

John Aoshima's journey from storyboard artist to director on high-profile projects like Ultraman: Rising demonstrates that becoming a director in animation combines skill development, perseverance, and seizing opportunities.

His career path highlights the importance of building a strong foundation in animation fundamentals, continuously improving storytelling abilities, and gaining diverse experience across various roles.

He'll share personal experiences and lessons learned throughout his career, how to build a strong portfolio, and insightful tips for aspiring directors.

Writing can be a mystifying craft. From the outside, animated stories appear straightforward and effortless. So why is it so darn hard to tell a ‘simple’ story? 

Well fear not, for we’ve assembled a panel of experienced WGC writers to discuss the key elements that go into creating a viable, sustainable and engaging project, demystifying the vague concept of ‘story’ and providing concrete elements that are essential to building multi-dimensional characters who drive story in worlds that are rich with endless possibilities.

So if you’re looking to catch up on some of the key story elements that are essential to any project in order to strengthen the appeal when you’re looking to pitch producers or make your own independent projects; this is the panel for you! Featuring Anne-Marie Perrotta (Interstellar Ella, Big Words, Small Stories), Nathalie Yonglai (Hello (Again), Super Zee), Madeleine Patton (My Pride, Mermicorno: Starfall), Matt Schiller (Degrassi: The Next Generation, Big Top Academy), and moderated by Amanda Ann Smith (Travelers, The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That!)

Join us on April 12th at the Courtyard Downtown Toronto (475 Yonge Street, Toronto, Ontario) in the Alexander Hall for this exclusive glimpse into the art of writing for animation!

Another essential step for any animated project is the process of adapting a story from script to screen; and now thanks to this incredible panel all about the Art of Storyboarding presented by some of our extraordinarily wonderful TAAFI friends, you too can learn the ins and outs of how to board your own projects and what it’s like working as a professional storyboard artist and revisionist!

Featuring the talented John Aoshima (Ultraman: Rising), Anna Keum (Storyboard Artist, House of Cool), Kirsten Whiteley (Lucas the Spider), Austen Payne (Corn and Peg), Melina Caron (Dimension 20 - Never Stop Blowing Up), and moderated by TAAFI’s very own Adriana (Vargas) Blake (Lana Longbeard), this incredible panel can’t just be contained in four panels alone! (that's a little bit of beat-sheet humour, for our non-boarder friends).

Be sure to head on Saturday April 12th for this must-see panel!

Who said art and business don’t mix? Understanding the business side of animation doesn’t mean compromising creativity; it means giving yourself the freedom to create on your own terms. This masterclass run by Louis-Philippe Vernette (The Happy Producers) is designed to help artists like you successfully launch and manage your animation business. 

Whether you’re going solo as a freelancer or building a studio team, we’ll break down the essentials of setting up your business, from defining your core expertise and services to pricing your work strategically so you’re fairly compensated and set up for long-term success.

To get the exclusive entrepreneurial know-how, be sure to catch this masterclass on April 12th at the Courtyard Downtown Toronto (475 Yonge Street, Toronto, Ontario) in the Courtyard Hall!

How do studios and directors collaborate when it comes to animation, VFX, or even immersive experiences? How does an idea evolve from a simple sketch to the big screen? How does VFX bring stories to life? From stylized animation to hyper-realistic creatures and immersive experiences, Yvon Jardel and Marie Amiot takes us behind the scenes at Rodeo FX, renowned creative partners in Quebec and around the world, to reveal the secrets of the creative process that brings your favorite creatures and scenes to life, and how the studio has now started to craft its very own original animated stories..

This business-savvy panel can be found at our Industry Conference on Saturday April 12th at the Courtyard Toronto Downtown (475 Yonge Street, Toronto, Ontario) in the Courtyard Hall!

Films and games; two sides of the creative industry that, now more than ever, work in tandem to creative cinematic experiences of all varieties, from explosive displays on the big-screen, to the humble achievements on your home console. But have you ever wondered just what it takes to make the jump from animating to creating the software used to animate?

Well with a little help from the award-winning Cory Mogk, you too can learn the ins and outs of what it takes to transition your career and create software for films and games! Learn from a master in his field and Autodesk pro, with this special talk Cory will give the ins and outs of software development, how you can use your transferable skills to pave a career path toward UX and UI design, and more! Don’t miss out, be sure to catch this panel on Saturday April 12th at the Courtyard Toronto Downtown (475 Yonge Street, Toronto, Ontario) in the Courtyard Hall!

In 1984, from the sewers of New York City, four brothers trained in the arts of ninjutsu took the world by storm, charging into the fray from out of the shadows to defend the innocent, fight for justice, and catch a slice of pizza before dawn! For over two decades, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have cowabunga’d their way into our hearts, across numerous iterations and creative changes– and now, the heroes in a half shell are back at TAAFI with a brand new panel!

Animation director Douglas De Azevedo is coming to the MEGA FEST this year to speak on his experience working on the franchise’s latest iteration, Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, with a special behind-the-scenes talk! We’re excited for a deep dive into the latest series featuring our favourite fearsome fighting team!

Grab your nunchaku and sharpen your sais, and be sure not to miss this exclusive BTS

In a very special look at his upcoming film, award-winning author and illustrator Michel Gagné is coming to 2025’s MEGA FEST with a behind-the-scenes look at his upcoming epic film The Saga of Rex, inspired by his graphic novel of the same name!

When an adorable little fox named Rex is plucked from his home world by a mysterious spaceship and transported to the arcane world of Edernia, he embarks on an epic journey through outer-worldly landscapes, faces strange perils, and makes surprising encounters. A story that is in turn adventurous, heroic, tragic, romantic, and wonderfully surprising, The Saga of Rex perfectly captures a vision of whimsy and wonder that will delight young and old.

Be sure to join us on Friday April 11th!

What is “CanCon”? What are Tax Credits? What is the CMF? Why does production need so many lawyers? Why is there so much paperwork? Knowing some of the key steps and players involved in getting larger scale projects developed and produced as a Canadian can help you navigate what can be a complex (and fast changing) system. In this discussion, Executive Producer and “Business Affairs Veteran” Suzanne Wilson will give a broad and “user friendly” introduction to some of the names to know as well as steps you can take to learn more on your own.

This business-savvy panel can be found at our Industry Conference on Saturday April 11th at the Courtyard Toronto Downtown (475 Yonge Street, Toronto, Ontario) in the Courtyard Hall!

Janella Watson, Founder and Principal of Watson Creative Consulting, shares how she and her team of researchers and educators support creators in telling authentic stories, crafting diverse and resonant characters, and building culturally responsive worlds. This keynote highlights the role of culturally responsive educational consultants in crafting stories that matter. 

In this special keynote presentation, Janella will share practical tips and insights on creative storytelling that incorporate principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging to create engaging and meaningful content for kids and families!

Join us on Friday April 11th as we explore the significance of authentic representation in children's media and its impact on fostering understanding, empathy, and a sense of belonging in young audiences.

A group of Talented Canadian Actors talks about their craft, how to enter the industry, and how new technology may affect their livelihood. Co-Presented by ACTRA Toronto,

It’s time to raise your voice, TAAFI attendees! As part of our celebration of Canadian talent and unifying the whole of our industry, we can’t forget a vital piece of our teams; Voice Actors! Artists and writers conceptualize them on the page, but voice actors give life to the characters we know and love– and now with this very special panel co-presented by our friends (and Mega Fest partners) over at ACTRA Toronto, these talented performers can share their tricks and tips for all of our attendees!

For this panel, TAAFI is proud to welcome an all-star cast of Canadian talent; including the return of Eric Bauza (The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie), Anthony Sardinha (Hamsters of Hamsterdale), Deven Mack (Sonic Prime), Ana Sani (Strawberry Shortcake: Berry in the Big City), and moderated by director and screenwriter (and fellow VA)

This industry conference panel will offer advice on how to enter the industry, learn all about the craft of voice acting, and discuss the impact and changes that may arise thanks to new technology within the industry. Be sure not to miss it on Friday April 11th!