Three of southern California’s most prestigious animation schools – USC, UCLA, and Calarts – have partnered with Women in Animation (WIA) to organize a unique and timely event, Breaking the Glass Frame: Women and Animation, Past, Present, Future.
Taking place October 5 through 7 at USC’s downtown Los Angeles campus, the first-of-its-kind symposium is designed to empower women and LGBTQ+ people by spotlighting female contributions to the field of animation and exploring solutions to sexual harassment, bias, and lack of diversity that challenge working women within the industry and academia.
“With all the media coverage of women’s issues right now, it’s easy to presume that change is on the way,” says Maureen Furniss, director of the CalArts Experimental Animation Program. “It will take a total shift in the culture, after sustained effort, to see any lasting effects. This event brings focus to important issues and provides a sense of solidarity among women at all levels: executives, established artists, and students eager to join the animation world.”