Five in Focus is an innovative program designed by Women in Animation Vancouver and Women in View to advance gender equity in the animation industry. Last year, five women were nominated who represent key creative positions in animation—ones in which women have been traditionally underrepresented. Five in Focus aims to significantly advance these women’s careers through extensive mentorship from the WIA community, exposure to a wide range of industry activities, master classes, pitch training and more. The year long program provided financing to write, develop and produce an animated short film called The Butterfly Affect. 

The film’s world premiere will open the “Mothers of a Medium” program at SPARK ANIMATION 2019 Film Festival, and will be introduced by the five women selected to the inaugural program: director Stephanie Blakey, writer Jen Davreux, producer Amanda Konkin, animation director Kaitlin Sutherland, and art director Maisha Moore. 

The full schedule is available here