Fifth Annual AfroAnimation Summit to Take Place in Burbank April 3-5, Celebrating Animation and Gaming

The fifth edition of the annual AfroAnimation Summit (AAS) is set to take place April 3–5, 2025, bringing together the largest coalition of animation and gaming industry leaders, studio executives, artists, and creative talent at the AMC Burbank 16 Theater and Cambria Burbank Hotel.

 

Diverse group of attendees smiling and cheering at an AfroAnimation event, seated and standing in a lively conference setting.

Founded by Keith White and Rio Cyrus, the summit has become the premier platform for BIPOC animators, storytellers, and creators, offering unparalleled opportunities for networking, career development, and industry access. With support from premier partners Toon Boom (a major AfroAnimation sponsor from Canada), Wacom, Lion Forge, Netflix, Disney Animation Studios, Pixar, Lucasfilm, Disney Television Animation, LAIKA Studios, and Visit Burbank, the three-day event will feature panel discussions, workshops, learning labs, and exclusive screenings, along with awards recognizing excellence in animation and diversity.

The event will include the Icon Awards Luncheon on April 4 at Palma Ristorante in Downtown Burbank, celebrating industry executives who have championed inclusion, with honorees including Kelci Parker (Hulu) and Lyvia Martinez (Netflix). The FRWD Awards Dinner on April 4 at Castaway will recognize major films, series, and television shows from the last 12 months that highlight diverse characters and narratives.

 

AfroAnimation Summit 2025 will also proudly present an exclusive screening of Iyanu, the highly anticipated animated superhero series from Lion Forge, the studio behind the Oscar-winning Hair Love animated short. Debuting on Cartoon Network and Max, the graphic novel by Roye Okupe is deeply rooted in Nigerian culture, music, and mythology. The screening will take place at 12:30 PM ET at the Burbank 16 Theater on April 3 and will be followed by a panel with the creator. There will also be a special “Women Leading the Future of Animation” panel, a creative job fair on Saturday, April 5, and a special panel on Friday, April 4, at 3:00 PM featuring Mike Price (The Simpsons) and Matthew Claybrooks (Everybody Still Hates Chris).

 

Held in Burbank, the epicenter of the animation industry and home to Walt Disney Animation Studios, Netflix Animation, Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, and many more, the AfroAnimation Summit provides a space for both emerging and established creatives to connect, learn, and advance their careers. More information, event registration, and Burbank accommodations are available at
afroanimation.com.

About AfroAnimation

AfroAnimation is dedicated to empowering creatives, fostering career opportunities, and increasing the representation of diverse and women talent in animation. Through its annual summit, AfroAnimation connects creators of color from around the world with major film and television companies, offering education, recruitment, networking, and celebration of the industry’s diverse voices.

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