Get a glimpse into movie making magic with award honoree, Pete Docter—Oscar winner, Chief Creative Officer of Pixar Animation Studios, and the master behind inspirational, joyful films like Soul, Inside Out, Up, and Monsters, Inc. The 2021 recipient of ILLUMINATE's Inspiration and Impact Storyteller Award, Pete masterfully weaves smart, personal, and transformational messages into timeless universal storytelling. He is known for bringing greater depth and meaning to animation, tremendously elevating the medium. Joining Pete in this conversation is multi-faceted artist, author and screenwriter Jonny Sun (Goodbye, again and Gmorning, Gnite! with Lin-Manuel Miranda). We’ll unpack Pete’s approach to writing, how he creates groundbreaking masterworks and his advice to filmmakers who want to make a positive impact. Be inspired toward more kind, empowered ways of seeing yourself and the world. 

Spotlight Conversation guests:

Creating his first flipbook at age eight, Pete Docter went on to start working at Pixar in 1990 as their third animator. He supervised animation for their first groundbreaking feature, Toy Story. Pete won Best Animated Feature for Up (2009) and Inside Out (2015). He has nine Oscar nominations in total, including Monsters, Inc., and WALL•E. In 2010, Up was nominated for the Best Picture Academy Award.

Jonny Sun is a screen and television writer (BoJack Horseman), a best-selling author (everyone’s a aliebn when ur a aliebn too), and illustrator (Gmorning, Gnight! by Lin-Manuel Miranda). His new book, New York Times bestseller Goodbye, again, is now available.