Guillermo Del Toro, James Gunn, Bob Persichetti, And Justin K. Thompson To Headline Crunchyroll Anime Forum

Oscar-winning filmmaker Guillermo del Toro, Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse directors Bob Persichetti and Justin K. Thompson, and DC Studios co-chair James Gunn will headline Crunchyroll’s inaugural Anime Future Forum in New York this fall.

According to Variety, the invitation-only industry summit will take place October 7 at the Javits Center, one day before New York Comic Con opens at the same venue. Persichetti and Thompson will participate in a conversation moderated by Sony Pictures Animation president Kristine Belson.

Organized around the theme “Designing for Anime’s Future,” the event will explore four areas: fandom, technology, storytelling, and intellectual property protection. It is expected to bring together more than 400 executives, creators, and other figures from across animation, film, TV, gaming, and music.

Representatives from the Japanese animation industry will include Toho film producer and executive officer Taichi Ueda, Mappa president and CEO Manabu Otsuka, and Aniplex president Atsuhiro Iwakami.

Sony Group president and CEO Hiroki Totoki and Sony Pictures Entertainment chairman and CEO Ravi Ahuja are scheduled to deliver remarks. Crunchyroll president Rahul Purini will close the forum with observations and company news.