9 artists were selected to participate in the immersive training program for mid to high-level animation professionals who identify as women and non-binary; will work together over the next year to create a short film, with mentorship and guidance, to earn a ‘key credit.’
ACE Canada, in partnership with Women in Animation’s Vancouver Chapter, has announced the selection of their nine final participants for ACE Canada’s fourth cohort. The immersive Animation Career EXCELerator training program is designed for mid to high-level animation professionals who identify as women and non-binary. The goal of the program is to help these professionals break the glass ceiling and move into key creative and senior roles in the animation industry while also encouraging the creation of intellectual property and the telling of authentic stories. The program’s premiere sponsor is Netflix Canada, with additional support from the Canada Media Fund, Creative BC, the Province of British Columbia, and Telefilm Canada. This year ACE 4 also expanded to include a 9th role, Production Manager, after direct consultation with studios from across Canada.
“The caliber and number of ACE 4 applications was outstanding with over 150 applicants from coast to coast, shortlisted to 45,” said ACE Canada program founder and executive producer, Rose-Ann Tisserand. “Each of the shortlisted candidates received workshops and pitch coach training with Jan Miller. Selecting the final nine candidates was an extremely challenging task for our juries. This years’ cohort will be the next leaders and storytellers in the animation industry, and we look forward to supporting their growth through ACE Canada.”
Over the next year, the selected candidates will work together to create a short film, with mentorship and guidance along the way, to earn that essential “key credit.” They will also undergo a series of soft skills workshops to prepare them to move into senior and management roles. ACE 3’s short film Ostinato was an official selection at Comic-Con’s 2024 Independent International Film Festival and will launch on Netflix in the future.
The finalists were selected by a jury of more than 35 creative and studio industry professionals from across Canada. This years’ final ACE 4 participants are:
- Writer – Nattasha Shrestha (Toronto, ON)
A story editor and storyteller, Nattasha has multiple shows in development and is a past winner of the Bell Media X VAFF Series Development Program and a graduate of the CFC Comedy Story Room Intensive.
- Producer – Arlyn Bantog (Vancouver, BC)
An associate producer with 20 years of professional experience in the animation and VFX industry on feature films and series including My Little Pony: The Movie and Marvel: What If.
- Director – Patricia Atchison (Vancouver, BC)
A storyboard artist and Annie nominated production designer and art director for features films, including Addams Family and Smurfs.
- Art Director – Crystal Woo (Vancouver, BC)
A design supervisor and illustrator for series such as Deepa & Anoop and Starbeam.
- Storyboard Supervisor – Airin Budiman (Vancouver, BC)
Airin’s storyboard work can be seen in films and TV series such as Laika’s Wildwood, Disney’s Star Wars LEGO Special, and Quarters, an award-winning student short film at TIFF and OIAF. She’s currently shaping the story for GOAT at Sony Pictures Animation.
- Animation Director – Katie Winchester (Vancouver, BC)
An award-winning 2D, 3D and traditional animator, Katie has worked on series such as the Peanuts Specials, the Proud Family: Louder and Prouder and Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
- Production Manager – Anastasia Walker (Vancouver, BC)
A senior associate producer manager, Anastasia has worked in all areas of production from development through to delivery on series such as PSI Cops, and Junk Bots.
- Composer – Michelle Lorimer (Toronto, ON)
A composer for screen & stage, arranger, and pianist. She has worked on documentaries such as Loud & Here and Bug Sex, It's Complicated featured on CBC's The Nature of Things.
- Editor – Bec Cranswick (Vancouver, BC)
An editor in animation & VFX, currently editing on Disney's animated show Spidey and His Amazing Friends with past credits on Netflix's Hello Ninja & The Mighty Express
Source: ACE Canada
Journalist, antique shop owner, aspiring gemologist—L'Wren brings a diverse perspective to animation, where every frame reflects her varied passions.
