Australia is coming to the Annecy International Animation Film Market (Mifa) June 10-13, 2025. Come and see us!
Stand B.05 (Hall B)
Panel: Bold Stories, Global Impact
Tue June 10, 2-3pm
Rotonde de l'Europe
Level 1, Centre de Congrès
Aussie Animation Happy Hour
Tue June 10, 5-6pm
Bleu Impérial, Level 0, Centre de Congrès
Australian Delegation
Ausfilm promotes Australia as a co-production partner and world-class production destination and has been connecting film and TV makers worldwide to Australia’s production capabilities, talent, locations, and incentives for over 25 years. Ausfilm is the gateway for international filmmakers looking to make content in Australia, and its membership includes Australian federal, state and territory government screen agencies, the country’s major studio complexes, production service providers and leading post, sound, animation and visual effects facilities. Ausfilm has offices in Sydney and Los Angeles.
Kate Marks
CEO
Kate Marks has 20 years’ experience in the film and television industry, including 15 in senior leadership roles promoting Australia as a global powerhouse for screen production.
Kate was appointed CEO of Ausfilm in September 2019 and in that time, Australia has cemented itself as a world leading production destination securing over AU$4.5 billion in direct foreign investment.
Prior to Kate’s appointment as CEO, she was Ausfilm’s Los Angeles based Executive Vice President of International Production and Film Victoria’s General Manager, Incentives, Locations and Production Services.
Kate is a passionate leader and supporter of the Australian screen industry and was President of the Board of Australians in Film (AiF) from 2016 to 2020 in Los Angeles. She is currently a Board Member of Screen Careers and a member of the Australian Government’s Trade 2040 Taskforce which is chaired by Minister for Trade and Tourism, Senator the Hon Don Farrell.
Erin Stam
EVP, International Production
Erin leads the Ausfilm Los Angeles team, with a focus on attracting international productions to Australia, marketing Australia’s production tax incentives and promoting Ausfilm members and the country as a screen destination.
Erin has wide-ranging expertise across screen production in both the United States and Australia. She previously spearheaded development at two Australian state government screen agencies, Film Victoria in Melbourne and Screenwest in Perth. Prior to her work in Australia, Erin served as SVP of Production at Participant Media and Spyglass Entertainment.
Erin is a graduate of Colgate University in New York and is originally from Boston.
Established in Sydney, Australia by Animal Logic Founder and CEO Zareh Nalbandian, Animal Logic Entertainment boasts over three decades of deep and varied experience at every level of filmmaking.
Now completely independent in Sydney and Los Angeles, we have built an eclectic slate of Animated, Hybrid and Live Action/VFX projects with major Hollywood studios and continue our mission to collaborate with world class creative partners to develop and produce elevated family entertainment with universal appeal.
The Animal Logic Entertainment team are a bunch of devoted storytellers, committed to honouring our deep roots as visual innovators while being seriously fun to work with.
Felicity Staunton
Felicity is the Executive Vice President at Animal Logic Entertainment and leads a diverse development slate of Animated, Hybrid and Live Action family content that is committed to honouring Animal Logic’s deep roots as visual innovators alongside premier creative talent.
At the heart of ALE’s success is close filmmaker collaboration and strategic and creative partnerships, developing an ever-evolving slate of eclectic, highly commercial tent-pole feature films with heart and soul.
Our credits include The Lego Movie, The Lego Batman Movie, Happy Feet and Peter Rabbit 1 & 2 for Sony Pictures Animation. Upcoming films include animated features for DreamWorks, Netflix, Sony and Paramount.
Armchair Productions is an award-winning boutique animation studio based in Surry Hills, Sydney. Since 2012, we’ve been crafting high-quality, story-driven animation for television series, commercials, and feature film projects.
With a love for storytelling and a passion for animation, we collaborate with amazing clients to bring unique ideas to life. Our nimble team consistently delivers across multiple projects—recently completing 35 projects in just two years, including storyboards for 118 episodes across seven television series.
Our work has earned recognition both locally and internationally, with accolades from the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity and nominations at the prestigious Annecy International Animation Film Festival.
We believe in the power of stories to connect people and champion diverse, relatable characters. From creating the ABC’s preschool series One, Two, Threebies! to animating the entire run of Reef School, and contributing to the acclaimed feature documentary Mutiny in Heaven: The Birthday Party, we’re proud to help bring compelling stories to screen.
At Armchair Productions, we don’t just make animation. We make stories that stick.
Stefan Wernik
Founder & Creative Director
Stefan worked in the design and animation industry in Bristol England for 10 years before starting a family and emigrating to Australia. Now, as Director of Armchair Productions he has brought his unique visual style to many projects. You can often catch Stefan skateboarding with his daughter at Bondi Bowl.
Cheeky Little Media is an Australian producer of award-winning animated content for kids and family audiences worldwide.
Founded as a creator-driven studio, Cheeky is well known for original series incubation, including Vegesaurs which is currently heading into a fourth season in partnership with ABC and BBC. Other shows include Kangaroo Beach and Flower and Flour. The studio handles all aspects of development through production and delivery, and also manages their IP internationally through their Cheeky Little Commercial division creating multiple points of consumer engagement to build brands.
Cheeky Little is actively producing content for all platforms from traditional linear series and specials, to feature films and YouTube content.
Patrick Egerton
Patrick has been specialising in the production and development of animated content for over two decades and is the Chief Content Officer at Cheeky.
Previous roles include Executive Producer for International Co-production at Ambience Entertainment, Head of Development at Chief, a company he co-founded in the UK and producer at Animal Logic.
He co-founded Cheeky Little with David Webster in 2013 and specialises in the creation, development and production of animated series and films. The company has since produced animated series for Netflix, ABC, France TV and the BBC.
Patrick is highly experienced in developing, financing and executing high budget animated productions.
With his in-depth understanding of evolving audience trends, Patrick works closely with creators, writers and artists to develop and produce unique IP with strong commercial potential for the global market.
Patrick Egerton has produced multiple seasons of shows such as Vegesaurs, Kangaroo Beach, Spongo Fuzz & Jalapena.
Our animation is high quality, visually stunning, and unmistakably ours. It’s the kind of thing you’d pay someone to rip off — but you don’t have to, because you can work with us!
Our tight-knit team works with clients in television, filmand digital media, from concept to final compositing. We love bringing ideas of all kinds to life and using all of our creative juices to deliver a special result.
We’ve worked on some pretty special projects, too; our collaborations have included Billie Eilish, Apple, Doja Cat, and Samsung. Just to name a few.
Andrew Onorato
Andrew Onorato is an animator and director based in Melbourne. He works on a diverse range of projects ranging from commercial pieces, to music videos and short films.
Andrew currently runs Chop, an animation studio in Melbourne providing animation services to clients worldwide. Chop operates out of Egg Studio, a co-working space Andrew started in Northcote, which is home to many local animators and creatives.
With a talented team spanning Australia, the UK, and the US, Melbourne-based Cinaxiom Studios is dedicated to working globally with renowned industry professionals across genre and animated projects, and is in development on an exciting slate spanning feature film, series and video games.
Cinaxiom Studios is owned and led by Indigenous Chilean/Italian director/screenwriter Steven Arriagada, who has won/been nominated for awards (AACTAs, AWG Monte Miller Long Form), developed and wrote a hit show (Bump on Stan, CW, BBC One, HBO Max) and multiple features (for renowned, Oscar-nominated US and UK prod companies).
Trevor Juarez is an Executive Producer at Cinaxiom Studios, who began working on the hugely popular Legacies (CW) as a producer and a director. After the show ended, Trevor continued his work as a full time director for film and TV, currently working as a director on a Patricia Aquette-led Hulu series in the US.
Braiden Asciak
Producer Braiden Asciak has extensive experience working in major animation and visual effects studios across 2D, 3D and VFX and was most recently Production Manager and VFX Supervisor on the Academy Award-nominated, Annecy and BFI London Film Festival award-winning stop motion feature Memoir of a Snail.
Clouds & Spheres is an animation production company with a focus on developing original and adapted IP for the emerging international adult and young adult animation market.
Fluent in VFX, AI, realtime and virtual production, we aim to streamline the creative process and bring a more diverse storytelling experience to a wider audience, more efficiently.
Our current project is an adaptation of the novel The Girl with Glass Feet by Ali Shaw.
Tom Phillips
Conceptavision has partnered with world-leading universities and research organisations for over 10 years, producing engaging animations that share evidence-based knowledge through storytelling. Conceptavision is independently owned and operated by filmmaker and animator, Jack McGrath, and his partner Daisy De Windt, who is a health communications expert. At Conceptavision, we firmly believe that when we work together to bring knowledge to the wider population, the benefits for our world are limitless.
Daisy De Windt
Daisy has over 20 years of experience communicating health information to a range of audiences including healthcare professionals, patients and the public. She has been an educational video and animation producer in Australia for over 10 years, and she appreciates that storytelling is the most effective way to create impact.
Daisy is a lifelong learner, and has completed degrees in Biomedical Science, Business, Health Law and Psychology. If you too are passionate about sharing knowledge with more people through the power of animated storytelling, please get in touch.
Jack McGrath
Jack McGrath is a stop-motion animator, academic, lecturer, filmmaker and an approved drone (UAV) operator. He is a PhD candidate with the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, and he completed the Bachelor of Visual Arts (Hons I) and Master of Fine Arts at Sydney College of the Arts. Jack has lectured in film and animation for over 15 years at the University of Sydney, Australian Film Television and Radio School, and The University of Technology Sydney.
Jack specialises in stop-motion animation, narrative storytelling and the language of film. He is a regular panellist at international animation conferences, and exhibits artwork locally and internationally. Jack’s background in fine arts has led to a unique experimental style of animation, working and collaborating with other artists in different disciplines has given birth to a different perspective and aesthetic in animation.
He has written and directed a wide range of short films that have been screened around Australia and internationally, and has founded the company Conceptavision; a Sydney based production company that creates animation and video content for academic institutions, non for profit organisations and businesses. Jack works as a full-time lecturer at The University of Newcastle in Australia.
Based in sunny Brisbane, Australia, Cosmic Dino Studio is an award-winning full-service animation studio that specialises in feature films, series and specials. We offer full script-to screen animation services, boldly going where no studio has gone before, to take your productions to infinity and beyond!
Combining world-class artists, industry-leading tax rebates of up to 45% off and a renowned studio culture for both artists and clients, Cosmic Dino will be your galactic one-stop station for your next award-winning project.
Currently, we’re providing full animation services to the motion picture event of the decade – The Bluey Movie, spearheaded by the show’s creator, Joe Brumm, from visual development all the way to final delivery for this exciting feature project. Previously, Cosmic has provided script-to-screen services for the 4 x AACTA-award nominated feature film Scarygirl, the Annecy Film Festival selected The Sloth Lane, Combat Wombat: Back 2 Back and our latest completed project The Pout Pout Fish.
Ricard Cussó
Ryan Greaves
Ryan Greaves is a producer, screenwriter & co-owner of award-winning animation studio, Cosmic Dino. In 2023, Ryan was a producer of the 4 x AACTA-award-nominated animated feature Scarygirl, adapted from the critically acclaimed graphic novel. Most recently, Ryan was the co-writer & one of the producers of the Universal Pictures’ animated feature, The Sloth Lane, which was officially selected for the 2024 Annecy Animation Festival. Currently, Ryan is the studio Animation Producer for the motion picture event of the decade - The Bluey Movie, working with Cosmic Dino’s team of over 150 world-class artists to bring the series’ feature debut to life.
Previously, he has written for Disney Junior’s Balloon Barnyard and co-produced the award-winning S is for Storytelling episode for Sesame Street on HBO. Ryan also co-wrote a live-action family adventure, The Keepers, that was acquired by Netflix US through Ron Howard’s IMAGINE IMPACT initiative.
Your production done right: Design. Animation. Vision. Excellence.
DAVE is that rare thing; an independent Australian animation studio where every member of the management team has been intimately involved in all areas of animation production.
With expertise in major studio environments producing 3D and 2D, longform TV and Features. Take your pick we’ve got it covered. DAVE’s teams, production infrastructure and processes are designed to exacting standards to create a frictionless production environment that carries a legacy of unparalleled performance, craftsmanship and value.
DAVE consults and manages at all levels of production, which allows your project to shift gears effortlessly from the conceptual phase, to budgeting and scheduling, through the financing and work-split stage to pre-production, production, final post and delivery.
Our management and senior creative teams have a vast cache of international experience to draw upon and can easily scale to accommodate any production size. Through state-of-the-art processes utilizing the latest technology, outstanding management quality and exacting standards, DAVE will keep you in control.
DAVE: Professional animation production. On time. On budget.
Elysium Studios is a collaborative creative studio centered around innovation and technology to deliver transmedia content and transform the art of storytelling.
Our products and services enable accessible, fast, and financially efficient production and post-production including animation, virtual production, and VFX, and the rapid spin out of ancillary brand and IP experiences such as live events/activations, mobile apps, games and immersive media.
Lucy Markovich
Lucy is the co-founder and CEO of Elysium Studios a collaborative creative studio centred around innovation and technology to deliver animated and live action transmedia content and transform the art of storytelling.
A creative industries leader, producer and post-production producer with over 30 years experience internationally, Lucy is responsible for the vision and strategic direction of Elysium Studios. She has held leadership roles across a variety of industries combining creative and business acumen to drive growth and innovation. As Content Director at Screen Queensland Lucy focused on supporting local practitioners and projects including Ivan Sen’s award winning feature film Limbo, Ludo Studio’s Bluey, and Muster Dogs.
Prior to that Lucy was executive producer at Chop Shop Post, Collider, Luminous Pictures, and Babyfoot Productions, and producer at Partizan, working across projects including award-winning children’s program Bluey for Ludo Studio, multiple projects for WildBear Entertainment and Like A Photon, feature films and series for Universal Pictures, Fox, Altitude, Paramount, Channel 10, Disney, ABC, BBC, Discovery, and Mediawan among others. She has produced global commercial campaigns including several Gold Lion winners, branded content and music videos including four ARIA winners.
Jordan Beth Vincent
Dr Jordan Beth Vincent is the COO and Producer for Elysium Studios, a collaborative creative studio centered around innovation and technology to deliver transmedia content and transform the art of storytelling. Prior to joining Elysium, Dr. Vincent directed research at Deakin University’s Deakin Motion Lab and was the co-founder of Fika Entertainment.
Dr Vincent has produced/ post produced a range of high-quality products for prestige children's content brands including Wildbrain (Teletubbies Let's Go!), Mattel (American Girl 3D content), Minibeast Heroes (ABC) and projects for eOne/Hasbro, Coolabi and more.
She has produced motion capture, Augmented and Virtual reality projects, app design and interactive performance projects, including with partners such as the ABC, Marine Parks Australia, the City of Melbourne, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Dementia Australia, the Australian National Academy of Music among others. Formerly a senior lecturer and researcher at Deakin University and the University of Melbourne, Dr Vincent is the author of numerous academic journals.
CDW Studios School of Visual Effects and Entertainment Design has been running since 2011 and provides artists Australia wide with the most up to date and relevant education available to kickstart their career.
In 2016 we partnered with Flinders University to co-deliver the Bachelor of Creative Arts (Visual Effects and Entertainment Design), a degree that combines the benefits of a university education with the practical, hands-on experience of working in industry.
Mark Flanagan
Education Manager at CDW Studios · Chair of Melbourne SIGGRAPH · Access:VFX Advocate
Mark Flanagan has spent his career at the intersection of creativity, technology, and education—circumnavigating the globe in pursuit of meaningful storytelling and community building.
Originally trained as an architect in Dublin, Mark pivoted into 3D art and animation at Ballyfermot College before launching his career in the UK games industry.
His journey has since taken him through leading roles at Codemasters, DNEG, ILM, Pixar’s RenderMan Group, Epic Games, Netflix, and Animal Logic. (In the UK, Canada, Australia and the USA.)
Now based in Melbourne, Mark is the Education Manager at CDW Studios, where he shapes curriculum and champions emerging talent in animation, VFX, and games.
He also serves as Chair of the Melbourne SIGGRAPH Chapter and is an active Access:VFX advocate, working to make the creative tech industries more inclusive and accessible.
A frequent speaker at international events such as SIGGRAPH, FMX, VIEW, and GDC, Mark remains deeply committed to mentoring and fostering learning communities wherever he goes.
Curiosity is his greatest motivation, and he loves to share his passion for learning with anyone who cares to listen!
Flying Bark Productions is a prolific independent producer of family-focused animated content. With studio locations in Sydney, LA and Madrid, and partner studios all around the world, Flying Bark operates as a full-service production facility for award-winning original independent feature films and series as well providing world-class animation services for global clients.
Flying Bark continues to grow its world class animation team across CG, 2D and CG/2D hybrid productions. With over 500 employees, Flying Bark has quickly become one of the most sought-after studios around the world for traditional frame-by-frame and CG animation. Flying Bark is wholly owned by media and theme park group Studio 100 which is headquartered in Belgium.
Barbara Stephen
President
Barbara Stephen, President of Flying Bark Productions, has 20+ years experience in the entertainment industry. She manages the studio's global operations and has been key to its success. Flying Bark has produced series like Marvel's What If…?, 100% Wolf, and is working on an animated Stranger Things (Netflix) and Ghostbusters series (Sony/Netflix), and an Avatar Last Airbender film (Paramount). Barbara fosters a creative and collaborative culture and empowers industry professionals. Her leadership has earned her the NSW Women in International Business Award in 2016 and 2024, and the company has won multiple Emmy, Annies, KidScreen, innovation and creative excellence awards. Barbara serves on various industry boards, including the Women in Animation (WIA) Board, and previously served as the Screen Producers Association’s Vice President and Counsellor.
Alexia Gates-Foale
Executive Vice President / Director of Production
Alexia Gates-Foale is the Executive Vice President / Director of Production at Flying Bark Productions, overseeing all projects on the slate, and producing an array of the studio’s original content.
The company is currently working on the highly anticipated animated Stranger Things series (Netflix), an animated Ghostbusters series (Sony/Netflix) and an untitled Avatar: The Last Airbender feature film (Paramount).
Lex is currently producing the animated adaptation of Shaun Tan's Tales from Outer Suburbia, premiering at the 2025 Annecy International Animation Film Festival, as well as Zac Power, an Australian feature film based on the iconic book series.
Other producing credits include feature films 100% Wolf and 200% Wolf, the series FriendZSpace (ABC Me), Maya the Bee Movie, Blinky Bill: The Movie, and the AACTA-nominated series, The Wild Adventures of Blinky Bill (Network 7).
Lex has also overseen production on projects including LEGO’s Monkie Kid franchise, Nickelodeon's Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Marvel’s What If...?, and Disney TV Animation's Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur, which won multiple Emmys, Annie Awards and Kidscreen Awards.
Four Story Studios is a production company creating bold, original content across children’s and adult animation, live action, and immersive entertainment.
Founded by comedian/writer/director Gary Eck and visual artist/designer/director Nick O’Sullivan – the creative duo behind the global animation hit Vegesaurs, currently screening in 70+ territories. Gary and Nick previously worked on Happy Feet Two with Gary serving as co-writer and co-director alongside George Miller and Nick as the film’s lead Story Artist, following on from his role as lead Character Artist on the Oscar winning Happy Feet.
Their collaboration has led to the publication of two children’s picture books, The Day the Moon Came to Stay and Wake Up Sleepyhead, both written by Gary and illustrated by Nick. They are currently developing two exciting new projects, Scribbly and Doodles, a vibrant preschool animated series, and Mindmare, an adult animated feature.
With their passion for storytelling and innovation, Four Story Studios brings vibrant worlds and unforgettable characters to life for global audiences.
Gary Eck
Gary is an accomplished stand-up comedian, actor, screenwriter, author and film director.
Gary has performed all around the world from Singapore to Paris, to New York and London and has done comedy shows at the Edinburgh, Melbourne and Sydney Comedy Festivals. Gary is a sought after corporate MC and comedian and has worked alongside some of the biggest companies in Australia.
Apart from a successful stand-up career Gary has ventured into film and TV. He co-wrote and co-directed Happy Feet Two with Academy Award winner George Miller and voiced several characters for the film.
Gary won the world’s largest short film competition, Tropfest, with his short, The Money and took second place two years prior with his comedy short Tragic Love. Eck co-wrote and starred in the cult hit You Can’t Stop the Murders (now being turned into a musical!) and featured in the film Boytown alongside Mick Molloy and Glen Robbins.
Gary co-created the hit global kids animation series, VEGESAURS which is now in its third season on ABC TV. Logie nominated, it is the number 2 show on BBC, just behind Bluey. Gary also writes and episode directs the series.
Gary has written two children’s picture books, Wake Up Sleepyhead and The Day the Moon Came to Stay which is out now.
Highly Spirited is the offspring of Oscar-winning production company Passion Pictures Australia. It focuses on creator-led projects including: the animated feature film based on Nathan Jurevicius’s acclaimed Scarygirl concept (worldwide theatrical release) with co-producers Like A Photon Creative, a high end TV series Tales From Outer Suburbia (in production) with co-production partners Flying Bark Productions based on Shaun Tan’s award winning children’s’ book of the same name, and a music driven kids TV series inspired by AFL star Eddie Bett’s best-selling picture books, Eddie’s Lil Homies (NITV, Netflix and SBS on Demand) with the ACTF distributing.
Highly Spirited has several feature film and TV shows in development including a feature adaptation of Shaun Tan’s awarded graphic novel The Arrival and the 2024 –2025 Australian Children’s Laureate Sally Rippin’s Polly & Buster book series.
Sophie Byrne
Sophie Byrne is a multi-award-winning film and TV producer with over 30 years of industry experience both in London and Melbourne and is best known for her work on the initial pilot and original music videos for the hugely successful concept band GORILLAZ, the expansion of the cult brand Scarygirl and for producing the Academy Award®-winning animated short The Lost Thing.
Kapow Pictures is a Sydney-based animation studio co-owned by Mark Gravas and Sandra Walters. It has been transforming 2D and 3D digital content creation for over 20 years. The studio crafts original animated series, feature films, and short films, while pushing boundaries with interactive digital content for apps and games.
With a worldwide reputation for bold, humorous storytelling, Kapow Pictures has produced TV shows for Nickelodeon, ABC and Netflix. The studio builds teams that blend the talents of animators, designers, and writers from Australia and internationally. Their innovative, character-driven narratives entertain audiences, blending fresh creativity with state-of-the-art technology.
Sandra Walters
Sandra Walters co-founded Kapow Pictures with Mark Gravas in 1997, a Sydney based production company producing primarily animation.
She works as a producer and executive producer on animated tv series, short films and feature films.
Sandra started work in animation as soon as she left art school. She worked on commercials and pop videos in Soho in London in the 1980's for companies like Film Garage and Passion Pictures.
KAPWA STUDIOWORKS is an Oscar-shortlisted film and animation studio based in Sydney, Australia, founded by award-winning director and producer, Robertino Zambrano.
We are best known for our Academy Award-shortlisted animated documentary, Love in the Time of March Madness, our Annecy-winning animated poem called TED-Ed: Accents, and for our work on Not My Responsibility, which featured in Billie Eilish’s Grammy-nominated music film, Happier Than Ever (Disney+).
Most recently we were commissioned by the Washington Post to create a series of animations celebrating Simone Biles ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympics. Our work has screened in dozens of festivals world-wide, and we have produced work for some of the world’s biggest brands including Adult Swim, Cartoon Network, Netflix, Google, Apple, Nike, ESPN and National Geographic. Kapwa is currently in development on an original animated series called FISH BOI with Screen Australia and SBS.
Robertino Zambrano
Founder & Creative Director
I am a Filipino-Australian creative producer, director, designer, animator, illustrator, writer and creator.
I’ve created films about basketball, being tall, and falling in love; and have brought to life powerful poetic odes to a migrant mother’s Puerto Rican accent. National Geographic once gave me a chance to animate lullabies from around the world. And during my ad agency days I got to help gamify fitness with a colourful character called Fuelie.
I’ve been lucky to have collected a few shiny things along the way. My directorial and producing work has been shortlisted for the Academy Awards, won a Cristal at Annecy Festival, nominated for an AACTA, featured on Motionographer, and won at Tribeca Film Festival. These experiences have shaped my love for the craft of animation and storytelling, and the lovely people I have met at these festivals propel me on my journey today. In 2013 I founded KAPWA an animation and design practice. Recently I’ve also been working as a commercial director represented by Nexus Studios.
I find joy in spreading myself thin trying to conceive new crackpot creative schemes, meddling with new tech, and looking for inspiration in my roots. I love walking the line between the human, and the high tech; and looking for the edge between the comfortable and the challenging.
LateNite is an independent production studio committed to investing in emerging creatives with strong, unique voices, helping tell their stories in a creatively supportive and collaborative environment. Our work uses humour to explore outsider stories that are unmistakably human and straddle the line between light and dark.
Nicholas Colla
Nicholas Colla is a producer of film, television & digital content, working across both animation and live action.
Through his production company LateNite, Nick is committed to investing in emerging creatives with strong, unique voices, helping them tell their stories in a creatively supportive and collaborative environment.
Nick’s producing credits include fantasy comedy series The Wizards of Aus featuring Guy Pearce (SBS), children’s adventure comedy The Legend of Burnout Barry (ABC) and the AACTA nominated Rebooted, which had its world premiere at Annecy. Nick has produced units for Lingo Pictures AACTA award winning drama Lambs of God (Foxtel) and Princess Pictures sketch series The Slot (Comedy Channel).
His more recent projects include Munch Rexford: Legendary Poacher!! (Adult Swim), mystery comedy Ruby Rai P.I. (ABC), the AACTA nominated animated anthology The Future of Everything (Grouse House) and Australia-Canada-Singapore Co-Production Andrew the big BIG Unicorn with Pirate Size Productions, Mainframe Studios and Infinite Studios for ABC, SRC & CBC.
Founded and led by Nadine Bates and Kristen Souvlis, multi award winning studio Like A Photon Creative has created and produced original IP for the biggest names in the media world, including Disney, Sesame Street (2014 – 2020), Universal Content Group, Macmillan Publishing, Crayola Studios and HarperCollins Publishing.
Since 2017, LAPC has financed and produced nine 3D animated feature films for worldwide theatrical release, including the original Sanctuary City multiverse for Universal Content Group. The titles include The Wishmas Tree (2020), Combat Wombat (2020), Daisy Quokka: World’s Scariest Animal (2021), Combat Wombat 2 (2023), The Sloth Lane (2024) and The Lost Tiger (2024).
In 2023 LAPC also produced the theatrical feature film Scarygirl, a film based on the cult classic graphic novel Arkie by Nathan Jurevicius.
Currently they are delivering their second literary adaptation, an animated feature film version of the NY best selling picture book The Pout Pout Fish (2025) and are in co-production on Maggie and Abby’s Neverending Pillowfort (2026) with Crayola Studios.
LAPC exists at the nexus of creativity and commerce, creating exceptional content whilst pioneering an exciting new business model.
Nadine Bates
Nadine Bates is a Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Like A Photon Creative, an international award-winning production company based in Australia. Nadine has written and produced for the likes of Sesame Street USA, Disney Jnr, the ABC, Universal Content Group, Macmillan Publishing etc.
Since 2018, Nadine (through LAPC) has produced 8 animated theatrical feature films that have sold in over 179 territories globally, 3 hypercasual games, 2 television series, 75 digital picture books, 5 apps, and pumped over $52M through the screen economy in Queensland Australia. Now in production on her 9th animated feature film, LAPC has partnered with Crayola Studios to bring to life the wildly successful Harper Collins book Maggie and Abby's Neverending Pillowfort.
Nadine was named MIPCOM's "Ones to Watch, Producer" in 2020, awarded co-recipient of QUT’s “Outstanding Entrepreneurial Alumni” in 2023, and won 3 Academy of Interactive and Visual Arts Davey Awards. Currently, she sits on several industry advisory panels, is regularly invited to judge the International Emmy Awards and is completing her PhD in Children’s Screen Content. (Very very slowly).
Ludo Studio is an independently owned three time Emmy®, Logie, BAFTA, Rose d’Or and AACTA Award winning studio and one of Time Magazine’s Most Influential Companies of 2024.
Ludo produces the most popular series on Australian TV and the most-streamed program in the US for 2024, Bluey.
The third season of Ludo’s ABC animation show The Strange Chores aired on ABC in 2024, ranking in the top 8 Big Kids shows for the month.
Ludo creates and produces original stories from script to screen under one roof in Brisbane, Australia and employs over fifty creatives and producers on their original productions.
Chloe Hume
Chloe Hume heads up the development slate for Ludo Studio, working across drama and comedy series, feature films and animation including Bluey.
Chloe works closely with the writing and creative teams to take projects from pitch through to production and loves getting into the weeds with passionate creators on every story she is a part of.
Chloe has previously worked within development teams both in the UK and Australia producing documentaries for the BBC, CBBC, ABC and theatrical release, and has also produced a handful of award-winning short films for broadcast and the festival circuit.
Marieka Walsh is a Director, Screenwriter and Animator (Stop Motion & 2D) based in Sydney, Australia.
Marieka Walsh
Marieka has received five Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Awards (AACTA) nominations including one win as well as two Australian Director's Guild (ADG) nominations.
Animated Films that Marieka has Directed/ Co-Directed have been shown at festivals Annecy, SXSW, Berlinale, Palm Springs, Aspen, TEDX, MIFF and SFF.
In 2024, Marieka worked with Fremantle to direct animation on a two-minute stop motion for the Emmy award winning Netflix series Heartbreak High S2 (Ep8) as well as Writing, Co-Directing, Animating a felt stop motion film in the kids feature Magic Beach. In 2016, her Screen Australia funded stop motion The Crossing (writer/ director/ animator) won 'Best Short Animation' at the Sydney Film Festival and screened at Annecy.
Marieka is a Visual Arts graduate with an Honours degree in Media Arts. Her animation/video installations have screened at major galleries including ACMI. She began her career in post-production/film editing before shifting to animation. Her current slate includes an animated documentary hybrid series, a pre-school series, a feature film and a live action climate fiction drama series.
Mike Greaney is a cartoonist, animator and writer, whose work focuses on using humour and pathos to explore themes of human connection and cosmic disappointment and to reframe tropes of Australian culture.
Mike Greaney
Mike Greaney is an award-winning writer and cartoonist based in Melbourne. Across his 15-odd years in the art mines he’s made animated videos for Green Day and Neil Young, directed on series for Adult Swim, screened short films at festivals across the world and his comics have racked up millions of likes, comments and shares on social media. He is currently developing shows with people he’s not sure he’s allowed to talk about right now.
He’s very nice and chill and some say funny and this is definitely not him writing in the third person.
Millie Holten is a writer and performer with a passion for grotty comedy. Her work has critical acclaim and millions of views.
Millie Holten
Millie's animated web series, Long Head, premiered in Nov 2024, gaining 4,000,000+ views in the first three weeks of release.
Her recent shorts, Munch Rexford: Legendary Poacher!!, were produced with LateNite Films for Adult Swim Smalls.
In 2023, her pilot was shortlisted for the prestigious Australian Writers’ Guild Monte Miller Award and acquired by Princess Bento. In 2025, the project received Screen Australia Development Funding. She is a writer/creator of AACTA-nominated web-series, Descent (2024).
In 2025, Inside Film named Millie one of Australia’s ‘Rising Talents.’
Millie is represented by The Gotham Group.
Old Dog Pictures is Tony Thorne and Ned Lander. We make Little J & Big Cuz.
Tony Thorne
Tony Thorne graduated from the Tasmanian School of Art in 1984, receiving a Bachelor of Fine Art and a Diploma of Art Teacher Education. He has illustrated books of Tasmanian Aboriginal poetry and stories, as well as doing work for Redback Graphix and Streetwize Comix, disseminating information to local communities.
In 1998 he completed a masters in computer animation at the Australian Film Television & Radio School, and his animated student film was nominated for an award in England, where he secured a job in visual effects. His film credits include Harry Potter & the Half Blood Prince and District 9.
In 2015 he became the director and designer of Australia’s first contemporary indigenous children’s cartoon show, Little J & Big Cuz. Tony’s endearing character design and vivid sense of place for Little J & Big Cuz is the culmination of his rich and diverse experiences as an animation director, illustrator, visual artist, and comic book illustrator. Tony is a trawlwoolway descendant from north east Tasmania.
With over 15 years of experience and a proven track record of delivering exceptional results, Pixel Zoo stands as one of Australia’s leading animation service providers. We specialize in high-quality 3D animation, 2D animation, and visual effects (VFX) across commercial projects, television series, and feature films.
Our robust pipeline—developed in Maya and Redshift—is built to accommodate a wide range of styles and project scopes, ensuring your vision is realised with stunning visual quality. We’ve collaborated with some of the biggest names in the industry, earning a strong reputation for excellence, reliability, and innovation.
Our team of over 150 skilled artists and technicians spans every stage of production, from pre-production to final delivery, all committed to exceeding expectations and providing world-class service.
Sebastian Gonzalez
I'm Sebastian Gonzalez, currently working at Pixel Zoo Animation Studios in Brisbane—an esteemed studio with over 150 talented staff members. I've dedicated a decade to the animation industry, driven by a passion for storytelling and development.
Over the past four years, I've had the privilege of running the studio as Head of Production and now as Head of Studio and Development Producer. We've achieved remarkable success, producing over 1,000 minutes of animation and exceeding $20 million in production value over the past three years.
Our commitment to excellence and creativity has led to partnerships with industry giants such as Hasbro, MGA Entertainment, Moonbug, Zuru Toys, Spin Master, Moose, eOne, and many more. We've also seen great success with properties like The LOL Surprise Movie: Skate Dance, the LEGO DUPLO series, and Cozy Coupe in Space special.
Originally from Venezuela, I moved to Australia in 2013 to pursue my career in film and media. With a degree in Communication and a Bachelor's in Film and Media, I've honed my skills in crafting engaging and meaningful content for children's media. Our work at Pixel Zoo spans various platforms, including apps, animated feature films, and series for web and streaming services like Amazon and Netflix.
Paul Gillett
Paul Gillett is the Founder, Creative Director, and Managing Director of Pixel Zoo Animation Studio in Brisbane, Australia. He began his career as a classical animator on Disney and Warner Bros. series before spending many years as a lead animation director on high-profile advertising campaigns.
In 2013, Paul launched Pixel Zoo Animation Studios, which has grown to a team of over 130 artists who specialise in both 2D and 3D animation, with a keen focus on children’s content. Paul’s depth of animation experience and ability to deliver for clients makes Pixel Zoo a preferred studio for clients around the world, including MGA Entertainment, Spinmaster, eOne, Moose Toys, Moonbug Entertainment and many more
His recent credits include Rainbow High, LOL House of Surprises, Mia’s Magic Band, LOL Surprise - The Big Picture, Go-Buster - Buster Saves Christmas, Lellobee City Farm, Let’s Go Cozy Coupe, Heroes of Goo Jit Zu, Mermaid High, Thomas the Tank Engine, Magic Mixies, Shopkins and more.
Most recently, Pop Family has completed the feature film, The Correspondent – a political thriller based on the true story of acclaimed war correspondent, Peter Greste who was arrested and imprisoned in Cairo in 2013. Starring multi award winner Richard Roxburgh, and directed by Kriv Stenders, The Correspondent is slated for release in cinemas worldwide in April.
In 2024, Pop also completed its newest CGI animated family film, My Freaky Family which premiered at multiple screenings at Sydney Film Festival and opened to cinema audiences across Australia in October. Starring Evanna Lynch (from the Harry Potter movies), Ardal O’Hanlon, Miranda Otto, Richard Roxburgh and Ed Byrne.
Pop has produced multiple children’s and family projects including Alien TV, a 78-episode hybrid comedy animated series which premiered globally on Netflix rising to the top ten shows on their Australian platform. At the Asian Animation Summit, “Best In Show” was awarded to Pop’s comedy series; Escape From Pirate Asylum, and its preschool series Sydney Sailboat and Bubble Bath Bay, are now being adapted into a feature length production.
Carmel Travers
Carmel Travers is one of Australia’s most experienced media practitioners having held executive and producing roles for several decades. From university she joined ABC Australia as a journalist, producer and host of their prime-time current affairs programmes.
She’s worked across the globe for BBC World Service, CBC Canada and PBS followed by multiple seasons of the ABC’s highest rating show, Towards 2000, covering the global science and tech boom. In 1984 Carmel founded Beyond International, created and produced fifteen seasons of the hit show Beyond 2000 and was Director and Chair during the company’s public listing.
She was the first woman to head up a Network News Division at Network Ten Australia, has produced acclaimed features and documentaries and owned and ran Australia's biggest digital producer, Energee Entertainment, later acquired by RTVGermany. In 2018 Carmel founded Pop Family Entertainment, launched with global Netflix Original series, Alien TV (78 episodes) followed by the Netflix commissioned feature documentary OneFour – Against All Odds.
Carmel recently completed the acclaimed feature film, The Correspondent, preselected for Venice Biennale and which is screening in cinemas across Australia and New Zealand. Pop’s current slate includes animated feature films and series, and theatrical scripted and unscripted features.
Princess Pictures is one of Australia’s leading film & TV production companies. Their live-action portfolio includes the Sundance & SXSW programmed horror film Together starring Dave Franco & Alison Brie, Disney+ primetime drama series Last Days of the Space Age, iconic comedy series Summer Heights High, ABC comedy Superwog, and forthcoming Netflix Original series Son of a Donkey.
Princess founded their animation studio Princess Bento to create Michael Cusack’s Yolo: Crystal Fantasy for Adult Swim in 2019, and then subsequently put Australian adult animation on the map with series like Koala Man (Hulu/Disney+), starring Hugh Jackman and Sarah Snook, two seasons of the smash hit Smiling Friends for Adult Swim/HBO Max, and three seasons of Yolo.
Princess Bento also provides animation services for acclaimed series including Hazbin Hotel (A24/Bento Box Entertainment/Amazon), Krapopolis (Fox), and Universal Basic Guys (Sony/Fox).
Mike Cowap
Mike is Executive Producer with Princess Pictures and Co-Founder of Princess Bento animation studio.
As producer, his completed projects include the Sundance & SXSW-programmed horror film Together starring Dave Franco & Alison Brie, which was bought by Neon with a global release planned for 1st August 2025.
He has produced several acclaimed animated series, including Koala Man for Hulu and Disney, featuring Hugh Jackman and Sarah Snook, and the smash hit animated series Smiling Friends, for Adult Swim & HBO Max
Mike has a background in industry support, having worked at Australian Film Commission, South Australian Film Corporation, UK Film Council, and most recently at Screen Australia, where he had special responsibility for innovative digital production and new talent, and was at the forefront of many new initiatives and programs, including Skip Ahead and Fresh Blood.
Mike managed many award-winning projects including film, TV, virtual reality, web series, apps, interactive drama & documentary and video games, and has run initiatives, conferences, and training opportunities.
Mike sits on the Expert Advisory Group for Screen Tasmania.
Laura DiMaio
Laura DiMaio is the Head of Production at Princess Bento, where she oversees the planning, execution, and delivery of all productions. With over two decades of experience in the entertainment industry, Laura has built a reputation for her exceptional organizational skills, creative vision, and leadership. She is instrumental in guiding teams through the production process, ensuring that each project runs smoothly from concept to completion.
Before taking on her current role, Laura worked as a senior producer, managing a diverse portfolio of projects in television, online and film. Her keen eye for detail, paired with her ability to lead teams under pressure, has made her a key asset in delivering complex productions on time and within budget.
At Princess Bento, Laura's strategic approach to production has helped elevate the company’s output, enabling it to continue expanding its presence in the industry. Her collaborative nature and strong communication skills have fostered an environment of creativity and innovation, allowing the team to push boundaries while maintaining the highest production standards.
Laura DiMaio’s commitment to excellence and her passion for storytelling make her a driving force behind the success of Princess Bento’s projects.
Daybreak is an Australian based production company whose work traverses feature films, documentaries, short films and installation work. Owned and directed by filmmaker Rhys Graham, Daybreak’s core team consists of Natalie Nalesnyik & Craig Irvin and collaborates with a number of writers, editors and cinematographers to create bold, independent, creative, and ethically produced film for big and small screens.
Rhys Graham
Rhys Graham is an award-winning writer and director whose work spans fiction and documentary.
His debut feature film Galore premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival, following a Panorama Special Mention for his earlier short film. His documentaries have received numerous accolades, including the Grand Prix at Seminci and FIFO Tahiti, along with six AFI/AACTA nominations and a United Nations Peace Award.
Rhys was the writer and director of Netflix’s The Unlisted, which won the 2020 Youth Jury Prize at Prix de Jeunesse. He was also a writer on the Emmy and BAFTA Award-winning series Nowhere Boys, as well as its spin-off feature, The Book of Shadows.
He is currently in postproduction on the feature documentary Dance of Language and in financing on Paradise, a feature film with Aquarius Films. His recent film Rewards for the Tribe premiered at the Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide Film Festivals.
Rhys other work in development includes writing the adaptation of The Girl with Glass Feet with Clouds and Spheres, the crime series The Outer Dark with Rhapsody Pictures, the series Golden with Film Camp, and the feature adaptation of 7½ by Christos Tsiolkas (The Slap), supported by Screen Australia.
Sad Man Studio is a creative studio producing animation and visual arts, founded by Samuel Leighton-Dore (artist, writer) & Bradley Tennant (designer, producer).
We produce original, creator-driven animation for film & TV, partnering with established local & international co-production companies who share a love for authored and emotional stories.
We produce ambitious visual artworks for exhibition and acquisition, partnering with curators and community sectors seeking work that engages with heart and humour.
Samuel Leighton-Dore
Samuel Leighton-Dore is a Screenwriter, Director and Visual Artist based on the Gold Coast, Queensland. He is the co-director of Sad Man Studio, a boutique animation and creative studio that he runs with his husband, Designer and Art Director Bradley Tennant.
In 2023, their animated horror-comedy feature Other Half was selected as one of the projects to be developed as part of the prestigious Untapped program run by Screen Australia and Australians In Film, where Samuel received mentorship from LA-based writer and showrunner Jordan Young (Bojack Horseman, Krapopolis). In 2024, Sad Man Studio produced the pilot episode for their 23 x 11 minute children’s series Seahorsies, which was selected by Screen Queensland for presentation at the Asian Animation Summit in Taiwan.
Samuel has released two books, How To Be A Big Strong Man (2019, Smith Street Books, Simon & Schuster) and Wow It’s All A Lot (2023, HarperCollins). Currently, he is co-creating and writing the 10-episode coming-of-age animation WILLY, which Sad Man Studio is co-producing with Mad Ones Films (Jimpa) and Ludo Studio (Bluey).
Studio Gilay is where bold storytelling meets deep collaboration.
Founded in 2021 by Jake Duczynski and James Hackett, this Sydney-based, Indigenous co-owned studio is making waves with its honest, design-driven approach to animation and storytelling.
At the heart of Gilay is a commitment to originality, diversity, and meaningful representation. With over a third of the team identifying as Indigenous, the studio is powered by a creative force of writers, directors, and artists who are passionate about telling stories that matter.
Studio Gilay’s work has reached millions — airing on ABC Australia, SBS, NITV, Stan, and Netflix; lighting up national landmarks like the Sydney Opera House, the National Portrait Gallery, the Australian National Maritime Museum and Federation Square; and fronting campaigns for state and federal governments.
Renowned for its deep partnerships with Indigenous creatives and communities, Studio Gilay is helping carve out space for First Nations voices in animation. From Aurukun to Papunya, Brewarrina to Wilcannia, their work is grounded in connection, culture, and collaboration.
Jake Duczynski
Jake Duczynski is a proud Gomeroi and Mandandanji Writer and Director who is committed to First Nations representation on-screen and fortifying a space for Indigenous voices in the Australian animation industry. Jake graduated with a Bachelor of Design in Animation (Honours) from UTS, and formed Studio Gilay in 2021 with James Hackett. The studio employs at least 40% Indigenous staff.
Close collaboration is a key component to Jake’s process, working meaningfully with fine artists, communities, composers and companies to give each project a unique design presence and honest perspective. In 2021, Jake co-wrote and directed the satirical comedy series Cooked (2021) as well as the documentary series Un-locked (2022) for NITV and SBS VICELAND. Jake is also in development with ABC Australia on the family animation series about megafauna, GALI.
Jake’s approach has won multiple accolades, from Walkley’s & Webby’s, to Best Direction at the Australian Directors Guild awards. His work has been projected across the sails of the Sydney Opera House, Australian National Maritime Museum, installed at the AGNSW & MCA, broadcast on the ABC, SBS/NITV and streamed on Netflix.
James Hackett
For decades, James has run an independent studio and guided countless design and animation productions. His work has been printed into books, projected at cultural institutions, watched on TikTok and broadcast around the world. In 2021, James formed Studio Gilay with Jake Duczynski in Sydney, Australia. He always mentors and nurtures new talent and strives to make space for under-represented Indigenous voices.
James co-wrote and co-directed the gritty and compelling animated documentary, Un-Locked (2022) for SBS Australia and NITV; and co-wrote with Jake the irreverent adult animation series, Cooked (2021), for ABC Australia. He is also in development on the megafauna family animation series, GALI with the ABC.
James has worked with musical artists such as U2, Silverchair and Cold Chisel to help bring their on-stage visuals to life; as well as had his animations projected at the Sydney Opera House and atop the Australian National Maritime Museum
James is passionate about stories that deal with identity, technology, psychology and how humans relate to the natural world; and is always keen to innovate with animation, having pioneered the visual look of dirtgirlworld series (2010).
Studio Showoff is an award-winning production house specialising in 2D animation for everything from boutique ad campaigns, to music videos for internationally renowned recording artists, through to full TV series.
As a creative-first, artist-led studio, we’re passionate about engaging storytelling, diverse art styles, with a dedication to traditional 2D animation.
With clients like Saturday Night Live, Childish Gambino and Bethesda’s Fallout we can’t help but want to show off.
Ivan Dixon
Ivan has fifteen years experience in the animation industry and has written, directed and produced content for a lot of different people including music videos for Childish Gambino, Elton John, Surfaces, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard and Gotye, idents for HBO, Disney, Hulu and Adult Swim, original pilots for Hulu and Cartoon Network, 2D segments for Fallout 4 and Wolfenstein 2.
Ivan co-directed pixelated title sequences to The Simpsons, Rick & Morty and Adventure Time.
Lately Ivan has self-published his comic called Muscles McQuack.
Sean Zwan
Sean has directed over 20 hours of television and produced 4 long form television series for clients such as the BBC, Warner Bros, ABC and Channel Seven.
He is a strong believer in board-driven story development and is dedicated to building a collaborative studio environment. Being able to straddle the realms of production and creative is his real strength, allowing him to problem solve whilst understanding situations from many different perspectives.
Sean recently directed on Cartoon Network’s new series Monster Beach.
Some say less is more…
At Studio Spud, we respectfully disagree. More is more.
Based in Melbourne, Studio Spud is a boutique animation studio that punches well above its weight. With a custom-built 2D pipeline in Moho, we deliver exceptional cinema-quality animation.
Founded by Creative Director Darcy Woodbridge, we take on ambitious, genre-pushing projects for the rapidly growing animation market. Whether it’s service work, co-productions, or original development, Studio Spud brings that little bit more.
Madisson Everitt
Madisson Everitt is a writer/producer leading development at Studio Spud.
With a strong background in 2D production, she creates daring, emotionally grounded stories that challenge the medium’s expectations. As adult animation enters a new era, Madisson and her team aren’t chasing trends—they’re sketching what comes next.
VicScreen is the Victorian Government’s creative and economic screen development agency. Based in Melbourne, Australia, VicScreen works behind the scenes, supporting professionals, infrastructure, projects and events –elevating the state of Victoria as a global screen destination.
You’ll find us wherever the action is. Investing in production and content development. Industry placements. Filming incentives. Location assistance. Skills training. Industry events. Partnership activities. And anything else that boosts Victoria’s standing as a global screen powerhouse.
Whether you’re in planning, production, animation, post-production, visual effects or games development – we’re helping behind the scenes and across the screen ecosystem.
Caroline Pitcher
Caroline Pitcher is the Chief Executive Officer of VicScreen.
A dynamic and accomplished leader, Caroline has more than 22 years’ experience in the screen industry.
Caroline has held management, marketing and business development roles in both government and private sectors. These roles include General Manager of Commercial and Marketing at Federation Square; General Manager of post-production businesses, DDP Studios and StageOne Sound; Marketing and Business Development Director at Omnilab Media; Chief Executive Officer of Ausfilm; and General Manager of the Melbourne Film Office at VicScreen (then Film Victoria).
Caroline is a Board member of Ausfilm and served on the Board of VicScreen from 2013 to 2017.
Caroline also has extensive destination marketing experience which was developed over a 10-year period working in organisations such as Parks Victoria and Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria.
The University of Newcastle offers Visual Communication Design and Natural History Illustration programs with a teaching and supervision focus that includes animation, illustration, stop-motion and visual arts for undergraduate and post graduate students.
Dr Andrew Howells
Dr Howells is an illustrator, animator, and artist with 25 years' experience in industry and academia. As a senior lecturer at the University of Newcastle, Australia Dr Howells has taught into and led both the B Natural History Illustration and B Visual Communication Design programs. With a teaching and supervision focus on Illustration and animation he combines his professional background in 2D animation and Illustration in supervising print and screen-based outcomes for undergraduate and post graduate students.
Dr Howells research is focused on art/science collaboration investigating areas of conservation, environment, heritage, and visual communication. His recent research focus is on activating artefacts and has involved collaborations with museums and libraries to develop public engagement experiences through development illustrated and animated resources.
Dr Howells’ has been recognised internationally for his work receiving the 2017 EdX prize for excellence in Online Learning and Teaching.
Jack McGrath
Jack McGrath is a stop-motion animator, academic, lecturer, filmmaker and an approved drone (UAV) operator. He is a PhD candidate with the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, and he completed the Bachelor of Visual Arts (Hons I) and Master of Fine Arts at Sydney College of the Arts. Jack has lectured in film and animation for over 15 years at the University of Sydney, Australian Film Television and Radio School, and The University of Technology Sydney.
Jack specialises in stop-motion animation, narrative storytelling and the language of film. He is a regular panellist at international animation conferences, and exhibits artwork locally and internationally. Jack’s background in fine arts has led to a unique experimental style of animation, working and collaborating with other artists in different disciplines has given birth to a different perspective and aesthetic in animation.
He has written and directed a wide range of short films that have been screened around Australia and internationally, and has founded the company Conceptavision; a Sydney based production company that creates animation and video content for academic institutions, non for profit organisations and businesses. Jack works as a full-time lecturer at The University of Newcastle in Australia.
The University of Technology Sydney offers Animation Production and Animation & Visualisation programs, giving students the knowledge and hands-on experience required to create animation work that communicates clear and powerful ideas, helping them stand out in a global industry.
Helen Bucknall
Helen Bucknall is a veteran 3D animator whose career began in 1995 after graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of New South Wales. Since then, she’s brought characters and stories to life for leading studios in Sydney and London, including Flying Bark, Jellyfish Pictures, Lola Post, and Mighty Nice. Her animation work has featured in award-winning series, documentaries, and high-profile campaigns for Disney, Marvel, Lego, Discovery Channel, the BBC, and ABC and many more.
With a portfolio spanning children’s television, games, documentaries and advertising, Helen combines artistic vision with technical expertise. In 2024, she joined the University of Technology Sydney as an animation lecturer, where she now shares her industry experience and creative insight with emerging talent.
Viskatoons is an independent animation studio located in Melbourne, Australia. We create and produce high end animated series, as well as content for television, advertisements, music videos and online. Offering the full range – animation, motion graphics, design, storyboarding, content creation and post production.
The illusion of life meets fantasy with hard work and persistence of vision at Viskatoons. Old school, new school, cool and hot work streams from the team. The Viskatoons studio embraces a philosophy of talent rules. Experience plus talent renders magic on the screen. Play, polish, play, polish, shine.
So in a space where Far Out Brussel Sprout sprouted, Li’l Elvis truck stopped and exotic Jar Dwellers jump from jars, the daily grind of brilliance continues. Old man Viska and his Viskatoons team have been rocking out the animation world since “before there was nothing.”
You game it, or name it, if it moves in a 2D world we’re on it. Viskatoons offers a full spectrum in animation, motion graphics, design, scripting, storyboarding, content creation and post-production.
As we say, Animation for any situation.
Peter Viska
Peter Viska has been a major part of the Australian animation industry for 35 years where he has kept abreast of technology to be a content creator and producer for global television networks, international advertising agencies, online games and small businesses.
Steeped in a history of loving satire and cartoon humour Viska graduated to animation from a career as a political cartoonist and illustrating the famous Far Out, Brussel Sprout!, All Right, Vegemite and Unreal, Banana Peel series of books.
Original content creation injected with smiles and irreverence continues to be the driving force in his new projects and TV series.
He leads a team of award winning animators and designers who push the boundaries of animation and fun.
Peter was the recipient of the Australian Cartoonists Association Stan Cross Award for Animation Cartoonist 2014.
We transform stories, characters, and ideas into visually compelling experiences. Creating fine handcrafted animation since late last century.
For over 25 years, our award-winning team of directors, animators, and designers has crafted bespoke content. Produced for local and global clients across all media, from features and TV series to commercials, interactive and game content.
We have expertise in production techniques across the animation spectrum. We embrace both traditional and cutting-edge techniques, often blending media, to deliver original, high-quality animation that connects with audiences on a deep, human level. Our experience spans cel, 2D, CGI & 3D, stop-motion and experimental animation.
We create award-winning work. Yukfoo is no stranger to accolades. Our collection includes Emmy’s nominations, D&AD’s coveted Black Pencil, Titanium Grand Prix from Cannes Lions, Gold Pencils, Silver Pencils, The One Show, and AWARD; and are regularly featured in Shots, Stash and Lürzer’s Archive.
Alan Dickson
Alan Dickson is an Emmy-nominated animation director, producer, and EP with thirty years of experience.. He founded boutique studio Yukfoo in 1997, with bases in Auckland and Melbourne.
"I've spent my career protecting the spark that got me into animation, that moment when a scribble becomes something alive, making people laugh or cry. Running a studio, pitching shows, all the business stuff, that’s the scaffolding to support that moment of magic."
Recent credits include:
- Producer on the 2D sequences in Plankton: The Movie (Nickelodeon and Netflix)
- EP on children's series What Will I Be Today (NZ on Air).
- Director animated sequences on Escaping Twin Flames (ITV America and Netflix)
- Director/Producer animated sequences for feature doc Let Me Be Me (Wavelength Productions NYC and Greenwich Entertainment)
- Animation director The Wonder Gang (ABC Australia)
Historically Alan’s short Preferably Blue screened at Tribeca, SXSW, Annecy, and Stuttgart. Underscoring the film's international appeal. His feature project, Shirley and the Hungary Bear, is an adult animated story exploring grief, friendship, and music. A Bittersweet Tale of Glory featured in the Annecy Creative Focus selection 2010.
Alan is currently developing the Martians Vs Roughnecks IP, a transmedia franchise with feature and series potential.
Ausfilm’s Annecy 2025 Government Partners
