A series of presentations and discussions on the role animation plays in social change.
There has been much discussion about DEI as well as commitments from producers, broadcasters, and streamers to diversify their content and talent pipeline but what does that look like in action? What steps can creators, producers, and executives take to turn commitments into action? How do diverse creators convince buyers to break the mold?
This panel, featuring Executive Creative Director at Lion Forge Animation Saxton Moore, producer Erica Motley, Executive Director, Development, Disney Junior Kim Berglund, Taylor Shaw and JLove Calderón of Black Women Animate BWA Studios, and Proud Family creators Bruce Smith and Ralph Farquhar, will discuss everything from sourcing diverse talent and content, will share practical steps on how to break into the industry as a diverse creator, and they will review how the industry’s current DEI efforts performing. The panel will be moderated by David Steward II and Carl Reed.
SPEAKERS
Bruce Smith
Executive Producer, Animator, Director // California Institute of the Arts
(The Proud Family: Louder & Prouder, Hair Love, The Princess & the Frog, Frozen)
Bruce W. Smith is creator and executive producer of Disney+'s The Proud Family: Louder & Prouder, the long-anticipated revival of the groundbreaking animated series The Proud Family.
An accomplished director, producer and animator, Smith has been part of the animation industry for over three decades. He is best known for creating and executive-producing Disney Channel's hit series The Proud Family and The Proud Family Movie. Most recently Smith served as one of three directors of the Academy Award-winning short Hair Love.
During his tenure at Walt Disney Animation Studios, Smith supervised animation on many animated feature films including The Princess & the Frog, specifically for evil villain Dr. Facilier; Winnie the Pooh; Tarzan and The Emperor's New Groove. His gift for unique character design led him into visual development for the studio's other projects such as Wreck-It-Ralph and Frozen. He was also lead animator on the short film Tangled Ever After.
Smith co-founded Jambalaya Studio, an animation company whose goal is to generate both racially and ethnically diverse projects for all mediums, for the production of over 50 episodes for Disney Channel's The Proud Family and The Proud Family Movie.
His additional credits include Space Jam, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, A Goofy Movie, Bébé's Kids and Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child.
A California Institute of the Arts alumni, Smith resides in Los Angeles, California.
Erica Motley
Creative Partner // Impact X Studios
(Taboo, Halston)
Erica has over 20 years of experience in scripted entertainment, and is an international acquisition, packaging and financing expert. Erica was one of the first to leverage film in the direct-to-series model.
Erica has executive produced films and series including the South African film Vehicle 19 with Paul Walker, Indian film The Reluctant Fundamentalist with Mira Nair, Taboo starring Tom Hardy and Habana with Roc Nation.
Kim Berglund
Vice President, Development // Disney Junior
Kim Berglund is Vice President, Development, Disney Junior. In this role, Berglund oversees series development of original animated television properties for the Disney Junior audience of kids 2-7.
Prior to joining Disney Junior, Berglund was a key creative executive and curriculum director for PBS Kids, working on award-winning television series including Peg + Cat, Odd Squad, Super Why!, Martha Speaks, The Electric Company and Dinosaur Train. She also played an integral role in developing PBS Kids' overall education strategy.
Berglund previously oversaw the cartoon incubator shorts program at Nickelodeon Animation Studios and served as a development associate at Disney Television Animation, helping develop several series including Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, The Buzz on Maggie and The Replacements.
Berglund received a B.A. from Dartmouth College and an Ed.M. from Harvard Graduate School of Education.
Ralph Farquhar
Executive Producer // US Military Academy, West Point & University of Illinois
(The Proud Family: Louder & Prouder, The Parkers, Moesha, Real Husbands of Hollywood)
Ralph Farquhar is executive producer of Disney+'s The Proud Family: Louder & Prouder, the long-anticipated revival of the groundbreaking animated series The Proud Family.
Farquhar developed and executive-produced Disney Channel's The Proud Family and The Proud Family Movie, his first animated project.
Farquhar began his career writing for the classic ABC series Happy Days. After which, he quickly advanced into the producing ranks as supervising producer for Married... with Children and then moved on to develop, executive produce and create several award-winning series including South Central, Moesha and The Parkers, and executive-produced Real Husbands of Hollywood, for which he earned an NAACP Image Award.
He also wrote the cult classic hip-hop feature film Krush Groove.
A native of Chicago, Farquhar attended the United States Military Academy at West Point and graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in Communications. He currently resides in Los Angeles, California with his wife Melba, his sons Regan and Jeremy, and his two grandchildren Samira and Nathaniel.
Saxton Moore
Executive Creative Director // Lion Forge Animation
(Rise Up Sing Out, Rhymes Through Times, The Power of We: A Sesame Street Special)
Saxton Moore is a professional two-time Emmy-nominated Animation Director and Creative Visionary. Saxton has 20+ years of experience producing animated content for the biggest entertainment companies in the USA. He started out as one of the leading visionaries that helped with the branding and marketing material for Cartoon Network. At Cartoon Network, he directed hit shows such as Aqua Teen Hunger Force and Harvey Birdman. Saxton has also worked as a Creative Director at American Greetings helping to revitalize evergreen IPs such as Care Bears, Strawberry Shortcake and Madballs to name a few. From 2010 to 2019, Saxton founded and ran his own animation production house that developed entertainment properties for books, web and TV. He’s produced and directed over 20 animated shorts for Nickelodeon, music videos and directed season one of Sugar & Toys for FUSEtv. Now helming the role of Executive creative director at Lionforge Animation, Saxton continues his mission to create meaningful content that highlights those who are underrepresented in the media.
Taylor Shaw
Founder, CEO // BWA Studios
(Monuments Project "Made By Her" now airing on Hulu)
Taylor K. Shaw is a 2021 Forbes 30 Under 30 Hollywood & Entertainment list honoree.
She is the youngest CEO in the animation industry and one of the brightest game-changers in Hollywood. She founded BWA Studios, the first and only animation studio designed to change the world of animation by consciously hiring Black women and animators of colour.
BWA is an original content house that creates and develops both adult and children’s programming. The studio has a first-look deal with WarnerMedia through their 150 Program.
Commercially, the company has created successful digital and television campaigns for the likes of Hulu, A&E, WarnerMedia, and more. It has also done 2D & 3D TV Development work for MTV Studios and Hello Sunshine along with contributing to tv shows airing on both Hulu and Netflix.
In championing equitable representation in front of and behind the camera, Taylor takes steps daily for BWA to serve as an equity blueprint in the industry. The studio continues to create access through its Annual Boot Camp and Black in Animation Awards Show which will be hosted virtually this winter.
As a visionary creator and writer, Taylor is committed to creating liberating narratives that allow Black women to discover more of who they are.
She has been featured in Deadline Hollywood, Emmy Magazine, Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, and the LA Times for her work empowering marginalized voices in entertainment.
MODERATORS
David Steward, II
CEO // Lion Forge Animation
(Hair Love)
David Steward, II is an Academy Award®-winning producer who owns and operates multiple companies with a mission of creating, discovering, and highlighting multicultural and diverse content in the entertainment industry.
In 2018, Steward founded Polarity, a holding company to oversee the operations of a portfolio of companies. The companies offer an array of content offerings including graphic novels and comics, animated television, streaming and cinematic features, and gaming. Key portfolio companies include Oni Lion Forge Publishing Group (the merged entity of The Lion Forge and the twenty-year comic book publisher Oni Press), the European publishing house Magnetic Press, the original content developer Illustrated Syndicate, the animation studio Lion Forge Animation, and Lion Forge Labs.
In 2019, Polarity launched the Lion Forge Animation Studio, credited for producing the Hair Love short film, distributed by Sony Pictures Animation, and winner for “Best Animated Short” in the 2020 Academy Awards®. Lion Forge Animation has gained recognition for highlighting animators of colour and in 2021 was named one of Fast Company Magazine’s Most Innovative Companies in the World, placing #3 in the film and TV category.
Carl Reed
President, Animation // Lion Forge Animation
(Hair Love)
Carl Reed is an Academy Award-winning producer, who serves as Polarity’s Chief Creative Officer and President of Lion Forge Animation.
As President of Lion Forge Animation (LFA), Carl jointly oversees the studio’s film, television and digital units. He directs LFA’s robust production and distribution practices as well as establishes and cultivates relationships with key creators and industry partners. The company is credited for producing the Hair Love short film, distributed by Sony Pictures Animation, and winner for “Best Animated Short” in the 2020 Academy Awards.
Carl’s career includes 20 years in media creation. Over the course of his career, Carl has worked with high-profile clients to produce a variety of different types of content, from comic books to broadcast animated series, toys and videogames. He has worked with clients such as Disney, MTV, Spin Master Toys, Warner Media, Global TV (Canada), Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network and more. Alongside founder David Steward II, Carl co-founded Lion Forge LLC in 2011, with a focus on leading creative operations. Some of his many roles at Lion Forge have included overseeing editorial and production; establishing and serving as president of the B2B services sister company, Lion Forge Labs; and his current role establishing and leading the efforts of Lion Forge Animation.
A series of presentations and discussions on the role animation plays in social change.
There has been much discussion about DEI as well as commitments from producers, broadcasters, and streamers to diversify their content and talent pipeline but what does that look like in action? What steps can creators, producers, and executives take to turn commitments into action? How do diverse creators convince buyers to break the mold?
This panel, featuring Executive Creative Director at Lion Forge Animation Saxton Moore, producer Erica Motley, Executive Director, Development, Disney Junior Kim Berglund, Taylor Shaw and JLove Calderón of Black Women Animate BWA Studios, and Proud Family creators Bruce Smith and Ralph Farquhar, will discuss everything from sourcing diverse talent and content, will share practical steps on how to break into the industry as a diverse creator, and they will review how the industry’s current DEI efforts performing. The panel will be moderated by David Steward II and Carl Reed.
SPEAKERS
Bruce Smith
Executive Producer, Animator, Director // California Institute of the Arts
(The Proud Family: Louder & Prouder, Hair Love, The Princess & the Frog, Frozen)
Bruce W. Smith is creator and executive producer of Disney+'s The Proud Family: Louder & Prouder, the long-anticipated revival of the groundbreaking animated series The Proud Family.
An accomplished director, producer and animator, Smith has been part of the animation industry for over three decades. He is best known for creating and executive-producing Disney Channel's hit series The Proud Family and The Proud Family Movie. Most recently Smith served as one of three directors of the Academy Award-winning short Hair Love.
During his tenure at Walt Disney Animation Studios, Smith supervised animation on many animated feature films including The Princess & the Frog, specifically for evil villain Dr. Facilier; Winnie the Pooh; Tarzan and The Emperor's New Groove. His gift for unique character design led him into visual development for the studio's other projects such as Wreck-It-Ralph and Frozen. He was also lead animator on the short film Tangled Ever After.
Smith co-founded Jambalaya Studio, an animation company whose goal is to generate both racially and ethnically diverse projects for all mediums, for the production of over 50 episodes for Disney Channel's The Proud Family and The Proud Family Movie.
His additional credits include Space Jam, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, A Goofy Movie, Bébé's Kids and Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child.
A California Institute of the Arts alumni, Smith resides in Los Angeles, California.
Erica Motley
Creative Partner // Impact X Studios
(Taboo, Halston)
Erica has over 20 years of experience in scripted entertainment, and is an international acquisition, packaging and financing expert. Erica was one of the first to leverage film in the direct-to-series model.
Erica has executive produced films and series including the South African film Vehicle 19 with Paul Walker, Indian film The Reluctant Fundamentalist with Mira Nair, Taboo starring Tom Hardy and Habana with Roc Nation.
Kim Berglund
Vice President, Development // Disney Junior
Kim Berglund is Vice President, Development, Disney Junior. In this role, Berglund oversees series development of original animated television properties for the Disney Junior audience of kids 2-7.
Prior to joining Disney Junior, Berglund was a key creative executive and curriculum director for PBS Kids, working on award-winning television series including Peg + Cat, Odd Squad, Super Why!, Martha Speaks, The Electric Company and Dinosaur Train. She also played an integral role in developing PBS Kids' overall education strategy.
Berglund previously oversaw the cartoon incubator shorts program at Nickelodeon Animation Studios and served as a development associate at Disney Television Animation, helping develop several series including Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, The Buzz on Maggie and The Replacements.
Berglund received a B.A. from Dartmouth College and an Ed.M. from Harvard Graduate School of Education.
Ralph Farquhar
Executive Producer // US Military Academy, West Point & University of Illinois
(The Proud Family: Louder & Prouder, The Parkers, Moesha, Real Husbands of Hollywood)
Ralph Farquhar is executive producer of Disney+'s The Proud Family: Louder & Prouder, the long-anticipated revival of the groundbreaking animated series The Proud Family.
Farquhar developed and executive-produced Disney Channel's The Proud Family and The Proud Family Movie, his first animated project.
Farquhar began his career writing for the classic ABC series Happy Days. After which, he quickly advanced into the producing ranks as supervising producer for Married... with Children and then moved on to develop, executive produce and create several award-winning series including South Central, Moesha and The Parkers, and executive-produced Real Husbands of Hollywood, for which he earned an NAACP Image Award.
He also wrote the cult classic hip-hop feature film Krush Groove.
A native of Chicago, Farquhar attended the United States Military Academy at West Point and graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in Communications. He currently resides in Los Angeles, California with his wife Melba, his sons Regan and Jeremy, and his two grandchildren Samira and Nathaniel.
Saxton Moore
Executive Creative Director // Lion Forge Animation
(Rise Up Sing Out, Rhymes Through Times, The Power of We: A Sesame Street Special)
Saxton Moore is a professional two-time Emmy-nominated Animation Director and Creative Visionary. Saxton has 20+ years of experience producing animated content for the biggest entertainment companies in the USA. He started out as one of the leading visionaries that helped with the branding and marketing material for Cartoon Network. At Cartoon Network, he directed hit shows such as Aqua Teen Hunger Force and Harvey Birdman. Saxton has also worked as a Creative Director at American Greetings helping to revitalize evergreen IPs such as Care Bears, Strawberry Shortcake and Madballs to name a few. From 2010 to 2019, Saxton founded and ran his own animation production house that developed entertainment properties for books, web and TV. He’s produced and directed over 20 animated shorts for Nickelodeon, music videos and directed season one of Sugar & Toys for FUSEtv. Now helming the role of Executive creative director at Lionforge Animation, Saxton continues his mission to create meaningful content that highlights those who are underrepresented in the media.
Taylor Shaw
Founder, CEO // BWA Studios
(Monuments Project "Made By Her" now airing on Hulu)
Taylor K. Shaw is a 2021 Forbes 30 Under 30 Hollywood & Entertainment list honoree.
She is the youngest CEO in the animation industry and one of the brightest game-changers in Hollywood. She founded BWA Studios, the first and only animation studio designed to change the world of animation by consciously hiring Black women and animators of colour.
BWA is an original content house that creates and develops both adult and children’s programming. The studio has a first-look deal with WarnerMedia through their 150 Program.
Commercially, the company has created successful digital and television campaigns for the likes of Hulu, A&E, WarnerMedia, and more. It has also done 2D & 3D TV Development work for MTV Studios and Hello Sunshine along with contributing to tv shows airing on both Hulu and Netflix.
In championing equitable representation in front of and behind the camera, Taylor takes steps daily for BWA to serve as an equity blueprint in the industry. The studio continues to create access through its Annual Boot Camp and Black in Animation Awards Show which will be hosted virtually this winter.
As a visionary creator and writer, Taylor is committed to creating liberating narratives that allow Black women to discover more of who they are.
She has been featured in Deadline Hollywood, Emmy Magazine, Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, and the LA Times for her work empowering marginalized voices in entertainment.
MODERATORS
David Steward, II
CEO // Lion Forge Animation
(Hair Love)
David Steward, II is an Academy Award®-winning producer who owns and operates multiple companies with a mission of creating, discovering, and highlighting multicultural and diverse content in the entertainment industry.
In 2018, Steward founded Polarity, a holding company to oversee the operations of a portfolio of companies. The companies offer an array of content offerings including graphic novels and comics, animated television, streaming and cinematic features, and gaming. Key portfolio companies include Oni Lion Forge Publishing Group (the merged entity of The Lion Forge and the twenty-year comic book publisher Oni Press), the European publishing house Magnetic Press, the original content developer Illustrated Syndicate, the animation studio Lion Forge Animation, and Lion Forge Labs.
In 2019, Polarity launched the Lion Forge Animation Studio, credited for producing the Hair Love short film, distributed by Sony Pictures Animation, and winner for “Best Animated Short” in the 2020 Academy Awards®. Lion Forge Animation has gained recognition for highlighting animators of colour and in 2021 was named one of Fast Company Magazine’s Most Innovative Companies in the World, placing #3 in the film and TV category.
Carl Reed
President, Animation // Lion Forge Animation
(Hair Love)
Carl Reed is an Academy Award-winning producer, who serves as Polarity’s Chief Creative Officer and President of Lion Forge Animation.
As President of Lion Forge Animation (LFA), Carl jointly oversees the studio’s film, television and digital units. He directs LFA’s robust production and distribution practices as well as establishes and cultivates relationships with key creators and industry partners. The company is credited for producing the Hair Love short film, distributed by Sony Pictures Animation, and winner for “Best Animated Short” in the 2020 Academy Awards.
Carl’s career includes 20 years in media creation. Over the course of his career, Carl has worked with high-profile clients to produce a variety of different types of content, from comic books to broadcast animated series, toys and videogames. He has worked with clients such as Disney, MTV, Spin Master Toys, Warner Media, Global TV (Canada), Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network and more. Alongside founder David Steward II, Carl co-founded Lion Forge LLC in 2011, with a focus on leading creative operations. Some of his many roles at Lion Forge have included overseeing editorial and production; establishing and serving as president of the B2B services sister company, Lion Forge Labs; and his current role establishing and leading the efforts of Lion Forge Animation.
