About

Following the great success of the first Suzhou Lab, we are proud to announce the second Suzhou "Wealth of Animation" in mid-April.

The first Lab brought together some of the world’s great creative talent and business executives together with a ‘who’s who’ of the China animation industries and this year’s event will undoubtedly do the same. It’s your chance to insert yourself right into the middle of the many opportunities for outsourcing, licensing, international distribution, and co-production in the world’s fastest growing animation industry.

The Keynote Conference Day focuses on four themes: Animation Industry Development; International Business Opportunities; Licensing and Merchandising IP; and Creativity and Technologies and Skills.

The Business Matching Day focuses on you. It’s your opportunity to meet up with the animation industry experts, directly discuss your own animation ideas, network yourself right into the heart of the China animation industry, and explore business matching and partnerships with the other international participants at the Lab.

International Mentors include:
 

• John Stevenson - Director of 'Kung Fu Panda' (San Francisco, Los Angeles)
• Zareh Nalbandian - Founder and CEO of Animal Logic ('Happy Feet') (Sydney)
• Eric Rollman - President of Marvel Animation (Los Angeles)
• Yaosh Ho - Director of Worldwide Digital Media, MGM (Los Angeles)
• Mark Ollila - Director, Publishing, Games, Services, Nokia (Helsinki)
• Linda Steiner -Senior Vice President of Creative Affairs at Warner Bros Animation (Los Angeles)
• Eric Calderon - Founder and President at Wild Boar Media (Los Angeles)
• Heather Kenyon - Heather Kenyon and Associates; formerly Director of Development, Original Animation at Cartoon Network (Los Angeles)
• Ming Chan - Founder and CEO at The1stMovement (Pasadena, Denver)
• Si-Bum Kim - Founder and CEO at Characterline (Seoul)
• Antti Haikala - Co-Founder, Anima Vitae Studios (Helsinki)
• Dr Leon Xiao - Professor and Vice Dean, School of the Arts & Communication, Beijing Normal University (Beijing)
• Mike Cowap - Development Manager, Screen Australia (Melbourne)
• Asenath Wald - Head of 3D for the Oscar nominated film "Waltz with Bashir" (Jerusalem)
• Anand Gurnani -Co-founder and CEO, Animation Xpress (Mumbai)
• Tatiana Kober - President, Berjuba! Entertainment (Toronto, Los Angeles)

International companies are very welcome to attend the Lab but places are strictly limited. The Conference Day was almost Sold Out in its first year and word has spread widely about the quality and value of the event so we expect to close applications very quickly.

The Mentors

XMediaLab has access to a superb roster of the some of the world’s leading digital media practitioners, innovators, and power-brokers. International Mentors and Speakers at XMediaLab Suzhou "Wealth of Animation" include (click image for full bios):

John Stevenson

Director of ‘Kung Fu Panda’ (Los Angeles)

John Stevenson is one the world’s pre-eminent animation With more than three decades of experience in filmed entertainment, John Stevenson brings a full and varied skill set to every project, all of which bear the stamp of his keen eye and unending creativity. His journey as co-director of Kung Fu Panda began in May of 2003. 

Zareh Nalbandian

Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Animal Logic, (Sydney)
 
Zareh Nalbandian has lead Animal Logic's development from a handful of gifted artists into one of the world's leading visual effects, design & animation studios. Throughout the history of Animation Logic, Zareh has had multiple roles: as CEO, Visual Effects Supervisor, Mentor and Producer, building strong relationships with great Directors and Producers in the industry.
 

Eric Rollman

President of Marvel Animation (Los Angeles)
 
Eric Rollman is President of Marvel Animation.  In his current capacity as President, Eric is responsible for development, financing, production, co-productions, marketing and worldwide distribution to television and home entertainment of all animated television and film properties. 

Yaosh Ho

Director of Worldwide Digital Media, MGM (Los Angeles)
 
Yaosh Ho is Director of Worldwide Digital Media at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. In his current role, Yaosh is responsible for the strategic analysis, business development, programming, and partner management of MGM’s Video and Mobile markets.

Dr. Mark Ollila

Director, X-Media Solutions, Media & Games, Nokia (Helsinki)
At Nokia, Mark is helping drive the next X-Media solutions strategy where his unit creates strategic consumer facing IPR in X-Media.  

Linda Steiner

Senior Vice President of Creative Affairs at Warner Bros. Worldwide Television and Animation (Los Angeles)
   
Highly respected, Emmy Award-winning entertainment executive Linda Steiner has led the development and production of iconic hit television series enjoyed by audiences in the U.S. and in more than 150 countries around the globe.

Anand Gurnani

Co-Founder and CEO of Animation Xpress (Mumbai)

Anand Gurnani is the Co Founder, CEO, and Managing Editor of the Internationally acclaimed Animation Xpress Network which is a B2B Media company focused on the Animation, Visual Effects and Gaming space.

Eric Calderon

Founder and President at Wild Boar Media (Los Angeles)

Eric’s new company WILD BOAR MEDIA (WBM) was established to develop and produce new animated works and original concepts.

Heather Kenyon

Formerly Director of Development, Original Animation at Cartoon Network (New York)

Heather Kenyon is currently an animation consultant specializing in the development of animated properties for children.
 

Tatiana Kober

President at Bejiba! Entertainment (Los Angeles, Montreal) 

Tatiana started her career working in production at TVOntario in Toronto, Canada.  After 6 years, she moved to Japan and began working on the business side of the industry at NHK.

Ming Chan

Emmy Award Winning Digital Media Strategist and CEO of The1stMovement (Los Angeles, Denver)
 
As CEO/CTO of The1stMovement, Ming Chan brings a passion and dedication to digital advertising technology rarely seen in the industry today. 

Si-Bum Kim

Founder and CEO at Characterline Korea (Seoul)

Si-Bum Kim is one the most highly respected and influential people in Korean animation, combining both creative production and industry policy development.

Antti Haikala

Co-Founder at Anima Vitae Studios (Helsinki)

A key figure in the development of Finnish 3D animation scene, Antti Haikala is one of the founders of Anima Vitae, the biggest animation studio in Finland.

Dr. Leon Xiao

Professor and Vice Dean, School of the Arts & Communication, Beijing Normal University (Beijing)
 
Dr. Leon Xiao is a Professor and Vice Dean of the School of the Art & Communication at Beijing Normal University in Beijing, China. 

Mike Cowap

Development Manager, Screen Australia (Melbourne)

Mike has been a Development Manager with Screen Australia (formerly Australian Film Commission) since 2005, with responsibilities across animation, digital media, feature film, television series, and documentary.

Asenath Wald

Animator and Head of 3D for the Oscar nominated film “Waltz with Bashir” (Tel Aviv)

Asneth (Osi) Wald is one of Israel’s leading animation professionals.  She was the Animator and Head of 3D for Ari Folman’s multi award winning film “Waltz with Bashir”.

Getting There

XMediaLab Suzhou will be held at the Grand Park Metro Hotel in Suzhou Industrial Park.

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