The 27th VIEW Conference Set to Transform Turin Into a Global Animation and VFX Powerhouse
TURIN, ITALY — As the global entertainment industry prepares for the intense scrutiny of awards season, the animation, visual effects (VFX), and interactive media communities are once again turning their collective gaze toward northern Italy. The prestigious VIEW Conference is set to return to Turin for its landmark 27th edition, running from October 12 through October 16.
Over the past several years, this English-language summit has cemented its reputation as an indispensable stop for industry professionals, emerging artists, and studios looking to showcase their most ambitious upcoming projects. This year’s five-day itinerary boasts a staggering program of more than 100 talks, panels, workshops, masterclasses, screenings, and portfolio reviews. Spanning animation, VFX, gaming, cinematography, artificial intelligence, and virtual production, the 2026 conference promises to offer a comprehensive and forward-looking snapshot of an industry in rapid transformation.
Main Facts: A Massive Convergence of Global Creative Talent
The 27th edition of the VIEW Conference is poised to deliver one of its most star-studded lineups to date. Headlining the massive roster of speakers are legendary auteur Brad Bird, two-time Oscar-winning cinematographer Sir Roger Deakins, and a who’s who of creative leadership from major Hollywood studios including Pixar, Walt Disney Animation Studios, DreamWorks Animation, Sony Pictures Animation, Laika, Aardman, and Industrial Light & Magic (ILM).
With events centered primarily in Turin’s dynamic OGR complex and select evening screenings hosted at the historic Cinema Massimo, the conference bridges the gap between high-level executive strategy and hands-on artistic execution. Attendees will gain unprecedented access to exclusive behind-the-scenes insights into some of the most anticipated theatrical releases and streaming projects of the decade, making it a critical hub for industry networking and cultural exchange.
Chronology and Program Highlights: From Hands-On Labs to Main Stage Revelations
The conference kicks off on October 12 with a dedicated focus on practical skill-building and technical exploration. The opening day features intensive, hands-on workshops covering concept art, Unreal Engine 5 integration, Gaussian splatting, stylized rendering, virtual production workflows, character development, and rigorous portfolio preparation. Notably, stop-motion practitioners can embark on a specialized four-day puppet lab led by Oscar-winning filmmaker Chris Lavis.
As the main conference gets fully underway from October 13 onward, the schedule transitions into high-profile presentations and deep-dive panel discussions:
Brad Bird Looks Ahead to Ray Gunn
On October 13, visionary director Brad Bird takes center stage for an hour-long keynote conversation titled Welcome to the Future, where he will discuss his long-gestating, highly anticipated animated feature Ray Gunn. Bird’s appearance anchors a robust track dedicated to the future of feature animation, which includes a visionary panel featuring Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado (writer-directors of DreamWorks’ Forgotten Island), Kenna Harris representing Pixar’s Toy Story 5, and Tyree Dillihay of Sony Pictures Animation discussing GOAT. Each project will also receive a dedicated spotlight presentation later in the week.
Studio Showcases: Pixar, Disney, Laika, and Aardman
The major studios are bringing out their heavy hitters to dissect their latest pipelines and creative philosophies:
- Pixar: Director Daniel Chong and producer Nicole Paradis Grindle pull back the curtain on Hoppers, while RenderMan artist Dylan Sisson explores the cutting-edge implementation of RenderMan XPU on Toy Story 5.
- Walt Disney Animation Studios: Producer Yvett Merino offers an exclusive preview of the studio’s upcoming holiday tentpole, Hexed.
- Laika: Production VFX supervisor Steve Emerson dives into the intricate world of the studio’s upcoming stop-motion fantasy epic, Wildwood.
- Aardman: Director Merlin Crossingham breaks down the monumental operational and creative demands of directing a stop-motion feature, balancing macro-level storytelling with micro-level craftsmanship.
Blockbuster Visual Effects
The VFX landscape will be heavily represented, exploring the technological marvels behind 2026’s biggest cinematic achievements:
- Wētā FX senior VFX supervisor Eric Saindon revisits the breathtaking aquatic worlds of Avatar: Fire and Ash.
- Oscar winner Andrew Jackson delivers a prerecorded masterclass on the visual wizardry of The Odyssey.
- Paul Lambert and Mag Sarnowska unpack the atmospheric and technical challenges of Project Hail Mary.
- ILM animation director Hal Hickel discusses the complexities of breathing life into creatures and characters within live-action environments for The Mandalorian and Grogu.
- Additional sessions will spotlight VFX pipelines for Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Disclosure Day, Resident Evil, Masters of the Universe, House of the Dragon (Season 3), Coyote vs. Acme, and A24’s psychological horror phenomenon Backrooms.
Closing Reflections on Cinematography
To cap off the week, the conference will feature a rare joint appearance by legendary, two-time Oscar-winning cinematographer Sir Roger Deakins and his longtime creative collaborator, James Ellis Deakins. Titled Reflections on Cinematography, the concluding session will offer a profound look into their legendary careers and collaborative creative process, moderated by Cartoon Brew editor-in-chief Jamie Lang.
Supporting Data and Industry Trends: AI, Gaming, and Executive Leadership
Beyond traditional cinema and VFX, the VIEW Conference is aggressively tackling the seismic shifts currently reshaping the entertainment landscape.
The Artificial Intelligence Debate
AI remains one of the most polarizing and critical subjects in modern media production. This year’s program directly addresses the technology via high-stakes panels, most notably Every Pixel Will Be Generated, a headline keynote conversation featuring NVIDIA Media and Entertainment Vice President Richard Kerris alongside Runway Co-founder and Co-CEO Cristobal Valenzuela. Additional sessions will dissect the practical applications of AI-assisted animation, artist-centric machine learning tools, automated pipeline efficiencies, and the overarching implications of artificial intelligence on creative control and employment across the sector.
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The Rise of Interactive Media
Reflecting the convergence of games and cinematic pipelines, the gaming track has expanded significantly. Bruno Velazquez, game director on God of War Ragnarök, will take the stage to detail the technical and artistic execution behind the game’s immersive one-shot camera approach. Other key gaming presentations will spotlight major titles such as Wolverine, Saros, and the sprawling Horizon franchise.
The Business of Imagery
Crucial economic and structural perspectives will be addressed during a premier executive panel. Featuring ILM Head Janet Lewin, Sony Pictures Imageworks President Michelle Grady, and Skydance Animation President Holly Edwards, the panel will analyze the evolving financial and operational realities of the entertainment industry, offering vital insights into how top-tier studios plan to sustain and scale creative output in a shifting economic climate.
Official Responses and Industry Implications
The continuous growth of the VIEW Conference highlights Turin’s emergence as a pivotal European nexus for digital media. By drawing thousands of international delegates, studio executives, and independent creators, the event acts as a critical incubator for cross-border collaboration and technological innovation.
Industry analysts note that conferences like VIEW serve a dual purpose during the autumn calendar. Not only do they provide an essential platform for studios to build awards-season momentum for upcoming theatrical releases, but they also function as an intellectual town square where artists can openly debate the ethical, aesthetic, and technical hurdles of tomorrow.
As emerging tools like generative AI and real-time engines continue to redefine the boundaries of what is possible in storytelling, the discussions held in Turin this October will likely resonate across boardrooms, animation bullpens, and VFX workstations for years to come.
For the complete, up-to-the-minute schedule, workshop registrations, and ticket purchasing information, attendees and industry professionals are encouraged to visit the official VIEW Conference website.
