ASIFA-Hollywood—the prestigious animation organization behind the Annie Awards—has unveiled its new 16-member Advisory Board, hand-selected to help shape the organization’s strategic direction across education, awards, and community outreach efforts. This board will convene biannually to exchange ideas and review progress for several key initiatives.
Aubry Mintz, ASIFA-Hollywood’s Executive Director, expressed enthusiasm for the board’s future impact:
“The perspective and expertise of these members will help to shape our various initiatives in meaningful ways, and can help guide ASIFA-Hollywood through exciting, impactful growth.”
Meet the Advisory Board
- Brenda Chapman — Oscar-winning director (Brave, The Prince of Egypt)
- Margie Cohn — President, DreamWorks Animation
- Pete Docter — Creative Officer, Pixar (Inside Out, Up, Soul)
- Dave Filoni — Executive Creative Director, Lucasfilm (The Clone Wars, The Mandalorian)
- Matt Groening — Creator (The Simpsons, Futurama)
- Jorge R. Gutierrez — Emmy-winning creator, The Book of Life, Maya and the Three
- Phil Lord & Chris Miller — Filmmakers (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, The LEGO Movie)
- John Musker — Disney animation legend (The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Moana)
- Tomm Moore — Co-founder, Cartoon Saloon (Song of the Sea, Wolfwalkers)
- Ramsey Naito — President, Paramount Animation & Nickelodeon Animation
- Peter Ramsey — Director (Into the Spider-Verse, Rise of the Guardians)
- Sandy Rabins — Producer with DreamWorks, Sony, and more
- Chris Prynoski — Founder, Titmouse, Inc. (Big Mouth, Venture Bros.)
- Linda Simensky — Digital media and children’s programming executive
- Tom Sito — Animation historian and Disney veteran
ASIFA-Hollywood continues to uphold artists and creators, managing initiatives like film preservation, the Animation Archive, and the annual Annie Awards, which began in 1972 under founder June Foray. The organization remains the largest chapter of the International Animated Film Association.
Why It Matters for the AVGC Industry
| Institutional Strengthening | The board amplifies ASIFA-Hollywood’s governance and inclusivity across disciplines. |
| Diverse Creative Voices | Representation from creators in feature, TV, indie, global, and historical contexts ensures holistic leadership. |
| Growth in Education & Outreach | Anticipated enhancements in Annie Awards, educational platforms, and community mentorship. |
| Strategic Industry Leadership | This move signals ASIFA-Hollywood’s forward-looking approach to supporting animation’s next chapter. |
