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GUEST SPEARKERS & EXHIBITERS - 2025
Below this page is the list of guest speakers for this year's Phoenix Animation Expo. From exhibitors to presenters and more, this list will continue to grow as we approach the event. please be sure to check back to this page often for updates!
Len Simon
Directing Animator before joining Fox Animation in Phoenix, where he led work on Anastasia,
Bartok the Magnificent, and Titan AE. Len has contributed to over a dozen animated features,
including Prince of Egypt and Curious George, and continues to create through his own studio.
He also illustrates children's books and develops original stories.
Bartok the Magnificent, and Titan AE. Len has contributed to over a dozen animated features,
including Prince of Egypt and Curious George, and continues to create through his own studio.
He also illustrates children's books and develops original stories.
James Lopez
James Lopez is a veteran Disney animator who has been working as a professional in the animation industry for 30 years.
Mike Mattesi
Mike Mattesi worked at Disney Feature Animation and Consumer Products,
Marvel Comics, Electronic Arts, Microsoft to name a few. He is best known as the creator of the FORCE Drawing Approach.
Marvel Comics, Electronic Arts, Microsoft to name a few. He is best known as the creator of the FORCE Drawing Approach.
Joshua Gridley
Joshua Gridley Worked on Marvel movies and games As a Pre-Vis Artist, Senior Cinematics Animator and Currently a Layout artist for Paramount Animation.
Zach Heffelfinger
Zach Heffelfinger is known for SpongeBob SquarePants (1999, Alpha Betas (2021) and Cat Burglar (2022). Zach is Storyboard Revisionist on KAMP KORAL at Nickelodeon Animation
Alex Ferreira Simoes
Senior Animator at Riot Games and
Mentor/Founder at Animation Flow
Mentor/Founder at Animation Flow
Brendan Russert
Brendan is an Animator at Riot Games and Pre-Vis artist for Marvel and Star Wars with The Third Floor.
I'm Brendan. I'm from Venezuela. Riot Games is my current home, I work on VALORANT doing first person animation. But, I've been everywhere and done everything; from motion graphics to mobile game animations at DisneyInteractive. My name on the credits of published titles on the Nintendo Switch and quite a few Pre-Vis titles on my IMDB page for Marvel and Star Wars with The Third Floor. I was even a professional clown!
If you see me at a conference come say hi!
I'm Brendan. I'm from Venezuela. Riot Games is my current home, I work on VALORANT doing first person animation. But, I've been everywhere and done everything; from motion graphics to mobile game animations at DisneyInteractive. My name on the credits of published titles on the Nintendo Switch and quite a few Pre-Vis titles on my IMDB page for Marvel and Star Wars with The Third Floor. I was even a professional clown!
If you see me at a conference come say hi!
Paul Williams
Paul Williams, born in Swindon, England, is an animator with a background in fine art and animation. His career spans work on Oscar-nominated films such as The Illusionist, The Red Turtle, and Klaus, and he served as animation supervisor on Funan, winner of the Crystal Award at Annecy. Since relocating to Japan in 2018, he has collaborated with both Japanese and European studios, directed the short film Amy & Frog, contributed to the award-winning Stone Turtle, and worked on the Oscar-winning The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse. His most recent role was senior animator on Sylvain Chomet’s upcoming film The Magnificent Life of Marcel Pagnol.
Violaine Briat
VIOLAINE is an animator by day and a webcomic creator by night. They also host a podcast where they interview animation professionals and comic artists.
Their work includes creating shorts for Cartoon Network and Adult Swim, and they are currently an Episode Director at Netflix/Flying Bark.
Their work includes creating shorts for Cartoon Network and Adult Swim, and they are currently an Episode Director at Netflix/Flying Bark.
Yula Loven
Writer, Art Director and producer specializing in both 2D and 3D Animation.
Jordyn Curley
With over 12 years of experience in the animation industry, Jordyn Curley is known for bringing creative visions to life. She currently leads three major projects, including "Tuttle Twins" (Season 4), an upcoming YouTube series launching in October 2024, and "Kelly and Friends." As the owner of Sketch2Screen, she connects animation professionals across the U.S., fostering growth and collaboration. She has also led the SIGGRAPH New England Chapter and the Boston AAUGA.
Leonardo Beltran
2d animator, Founder of Docs Animation
and Co Director with Wildgoat Animation
and Co Director with Wildgoat Animation
Prince Smith and Lamont Pounds
Adventurous minds is As a remote production company, that focus on creating meaningful storytelling through game cinematics, animated television programming, and feature films.
Ricardo Jimenez
2d/3D animator at DWG, Founder of RJ Animation,
Networking group - Phoenix az animation meetup and
Phoenix animation expo
Networking group - Phoenix az animation meetup and
Phoenix animation expo
Adam D. Bullock
Adam is a Voice Over Talent and Coach. Voiced for Cartoon Network
“Garbage Boy and Trash Can”
“Garbage Boy and Trash Can”
Janelle Okumura
Janelle is a character designer, vis dev artist, and illustrator.
After years of work in the non-art world,
Janelle decided to make a move into the animation world.
After years of work in the non-art world,
Janelle decided to make a move into the animation world.
William Cruz
William Cruz and his son, Liam, share a deep bond over their love for cartoons. As a proud father and cartoonist, William has always cherished the time they spend drawing together, discovering how art can bring them closer and help them appreciate each other’s talents. On March 29, 2017, their journey began when Liam said, "Dad, I am bored, let’s draw together," and from that moment, Boonoonoonooz was born.
In 2022, William took his passion further by diving into 2D animation, and he is now working on bringing the Boonoonoonooz to the world.
In 2022, William took his passion further by diving into 2D animation, and he is now working on bringing the Boonoonoonooz to the world.
Taylor Wellman
Taylor is Co-Owner of Financial Potion and Specializes in
Video Production - Editing - Live Streaming - Social Media Optimization & Training
Video Production - Editing - Live Streaming - Social Media Optimization & Training
Christopher Ferman
Founder at Markers In Motion, Animation MnM for Roku / Apple TV,
& creator of Juan Bigliar
& creator of Juan Bigliar
Wild Goat Animation
Wild Goat Animation is a collective of talented young artists and animators from all over the world
Animation Flow
Animation Flow is a creative studio and learning space where
artists can grow and improve their animation skills.
artists can grow and improve their animation skills.
Adventurous minds
Adventurous minds is As a remote production company, that focus on creating meaningful storytelling through game cinematics, animated television programming, and feature films.
RJ Animation
specializes in 2D and 3D productions,
Animation workshops for kids 6-12 grade & above,
and Partnerships with animation studio Collectives.
Animation workshops for kids 6-12 grade & above,
and Partnerships with animation studio Collectives.
Multus Medical
At Multus, we create patient-specific medical visuals that help attorneys and medical providers simplify complex injury cases. Our team of legal, medical, and technology professionals uses patented tools to deliver: 3D MRI renderings, surgical animations, mechanism of injury visuals, and accident reconstruction videos. These powerful tools support both attorneys and medical providers in clearly presenting injuries, surgeries, and recovery — to support communication in legal, medical, and educational settings — ultimately driving better understanding and stronger case and care results
Daniel Leon Jones
"A music producer, recording artist, voting member of the Grammy Awards Recording Academy and independent video game developer mostly inspired by gaming classics, Jazzy Hip hop and anime." Creator of QuarterCade Console
TABLE EXHIBITERS
SPONSORS
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