As Animation continues to dominate the box office around the world, how does the business of animation continue to challenge the art in animation? Distinguished panelists with extensive experience in the creation of animation will discuss the challenges and opportunities in the ever popular world of animation.

Glen Keane is an American animator, author and illustrator. Keane is best known for his character animation at Walt Disney Animation Studios for feature films including The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, Tarzan, and Tangled. Keane received the 1992 Annie Award for character animation, the 2007 Winsor McCay Award for lifetime contribution to the field of animation and in 2013 was named a Disney Legend. His new short DUET will be part of the Festival lineup.

Bobby Chiu is an award winning character designer whose work has been seen in popular Hollywood movies like Alice in Wonderland. He is the founder and creative director of Imaginism Studios, which recently produced the popular fully animated online comic book, Niko and the Sword of Light. Bobby also teaches digital painting online at Schoolism.com, and publishes art books.

John Kahrs is an animator and director of animation whose work has been seen in many of Hollywood's biggest animated movies like Frozen, Wreck It Ralph, Tangled, Pixar's Ratatouille and The Incredibles, and many more. Most recently John directed the Academy Award winning animated short, Paperman.

John Carls is a producer with a rich history in children's entertainment an animation. Working with world-renowned author and illustrator Maurice Sendak, John produced a number of successful children's animated series including the award-winning series Little Bear for Nickelodeon. He also produced the critically acclaimed film Where The Wild Things Are and the Academy Award winning animated movie Rango.