Sharjah Animation Conference Reveals Star-Studded Lineup

Disney legends Tom and Tony Bancroft, creators of classics like “Mulan,” “Aladdin,” and “The Lion King,” will headline the third annual Sharjah Animation Conference. The event runs from May 1 to 4, 2025, at the Expo Center Sharjah. Attendees can participate in more than 50 workshops, masterclasses, and expert panels. The conference brings together over 50 international animators and studios. Acclaimed artists Sandro Cleuzo from “Anastasia” and “Tarzan,” along with Studio Ghibli’s Masayuki Miyaji and Tamiya Terashima, will share their expertise. This four-day celebration of animation starts at AED 59 and showcases animation’s global progress while demonstrating AI’s role in children’s animation.

Disney Legends Headline Sharjah’s Premier Animation Event

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The Sharjah Animation Conference features a stellar lineup led by the Bancroft brothers, who shaped countless childhood memories with their creative genius. Tom Bancroft, CEO of Pencilish Animation Studios, brings his expertise from The Lion King and Pocahontas to the conference. His brother Tony Bancroft worked his animation magic on iconic films like Mulan and Aladdin.

Sandro Cleuzo, a celebrated character designer, adds his distinctive artistic style to the mix. His work shines in beloved productions like Anastasia, Tarzan, and Chip’n Dale. Attendees will learn about the professional animation process through his character creation masterclass.

Studio Ghibli fans will be excited to meet the studio’s collaborators. Masayuki Miyaji, animation director of Tales from Earthsea, and Tamiya Terashima, a contributor to many Ghibli masterpieces, will share stories from the studio’s most iconic productions.

The Sharjah Book Authority hosts this event under Khoula Al Mujaini’s leadership as Executive Director. She works with Pietro Pinettie, the conference’s Artistic Director. Their collaboration will give attendees an international experience rooted in cultural and educational excellence.

These animation legends will lead specialized workshops during the conference. Tom and Tony Bancroft will teach character design and comedic animation techniques on opening day. A concert featuring iconic Disney soundtracks caps off the day’s visual artistry.

Japanese animation culture takes center stage on day three as attendees tuck into animation’s vibrant history and production techniques. This program offers unique insights from both Western and Eastern animation traditions.

Conference Unveils Four-Day Program of Animation Excellence

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Sharjah Animation Conference returns with its third edition in partnership with Italy’s Bergamo Animation Days (BAD). This four-day celebration of animation excellence runs from May 1-4 at Expo Center Sharjah. The program features more than 50 workshops, masterclasses, expert panels, and film screenings. Animation professionals and studios from around the world will share their expertise.

The conference kicks off with a focus on global animation trends and collaborative opportunities. Attendees will learn from Disney animators through specialized workshops and join enlightening panel discussions. Animation’s role as a communication tool takes center stage with industry leaders from Zero Gravity Studios, ZANAD, and Studio Bozzetto. Experts from Creatures Company, Mako Kids, and Blue Spirit will discuss how AI shapes children’s animation storytelling in their panel “Future Kids Content & AI.”

Day two highlights storytelling techniques and inclusive representation through V-Nova Studios’ immersive virtual reality sessions. Anime director Nobuyoshi Habara leads workshops while Studio Ghibli’s Tamiya Terashima shares insights about anime music composition. The “Women in Animation” panel tackles leadership representation and industry progress for women.

Japanese animation culture dominates day three. YTV veterans Hiroki Tanaka and Ayako Noguchi present “60 years with animation and the future.” Park Chang-Ha teaches “The Art of Webtoons” while Director Ai Ikegaya demonstrates digital animation production processes.

The conference’s final day explores transitions from written media to animation with manga-to-anime adaptation expert Inoue Shinichiro. Middle Eastern stories’ global adaptation potential comes alive in the “Bridging Publishers and Producers” panel. A “Producers in Focus” roundtable with executives from Samaka Studio, PUNGULU PA, Movimenti Production, and Polygon Pictures concludes the main program.

Each evening features special performances, including a Disney soundtrack concert and Japanese-themed musical night. Animation enthusiasts can grab tickets starting at AED 59 from sharjahanimation.com/tickets.

Attendees Gain Exclusive Access to Animation Masterclasses

The Sharjah Animation Conference offers more than just standard sessions. Participants will have exclusive access to over 25 artist-led workshops. This marks the first event in the region to provide such complete animation training opportunities. Award-winning experts will lead hands-on masterclasses through all four days of the event.

Disney legend Tom Bancroft kicks off the practical workshops on May 1st at 2:30 pm with a Master Character Design session. His brother Tony Bancroft follows with lessons on comedy animation through character posing and timing techniques. Sandro Cleuzo rounds out the day with a workshop on character design that takes participants from concept to final illustration.

The second day features Tom Bancroft teaching “Designing Emotion” where participants create characters with powerful emotional arcs. Tony Bancroft then shares his expertise to bring stories to life with vision and emotional depth.

Day three features Comfort Arthur’s workshop on visual storytelling and Alex Foley’s three-hour intensive on voice acting techniques. These sessions help participants master both visual and audio elements needed for animation excellence.

The final day showcases specialized workshops including:

• Sandro Cleuzo teaching character personality and fantasy
• Yusuf Khaled covering figure drawing skills
• Mahmoud Hemeda showing movement and timing for lifelike animation

The conference also features innovative sessions on immersive storytelling in virtual reality by V-Nova Studios. These workshops give participants industry-standard skills in character design, animation fundamentals, and innovative technologies.

Tickets start at AED 59 for conference access. Workshop passes need separate purchase from general admission tickets. Each session provides hands-on learning with experts from around the world.

The third annual Sharjah Animation Conference has become a cornerstone event for animation enthusiasts and professionals. Disney legends Tom and Tony Bancroft will join Studio Ghibli collaborators at this groundbreaking gathering. Their presence will raise this event’s importance in the animation world. Attendees can learn from over 50 international animators and studios during the detailed four-day program from May 1-4, 2025.

Character design workshops and AI discussions showcase the conference’s rich offerings that reflect animation’s evolving storytelling landscape. Specialized sessions about virtual reality and Japanese animation techniques show the event’s dedication to both traditional and state-of-the-art approaches. World-class animation education becomes available to aspiring artists and seasoned professionals through carefully designed workshops starting at AED 59.

This 2025 Sharjah Animation Conference marks a crucial milestone in the region’s animation industry. Expert panels, masterclasses and hands-on workshops create an exceptional platform to learn, network and celebrate animation’s artistry. Animation enthusiasts can book their spots now at sharjahanimation.com/tickets.