Turin, Italy – The VIEW Conference 2026, a premier international event celebrating the art, science, and technology of computer graphics, animation, and visual effects, has significantly bolstered its already impressive speaker roster with the inclusion of three formidable leaders from the global entertainment landscape: Holly Edwards, President of Skydance Animation; Michelle Grady, President of Sony Pictures Imageworks; and Janet Lewin, Senior Vice President, General Manager, and Head of Industrial Light & Magic (ILM). This announcement further solidifies VIEW Conference’s reputation as a must-attend gathering for professionals and enthusiasts alike, set to take place from October 12th to 16th in the historic city of Turin, Italy. Registration for the English-language event is officially open, inviting a global audience to engage with the brightest minds in the industry.
The addition of Edwards, Grady, and Lewin underscores the conference’s commitment to showcasing leadership and innovation across diverse sectors of digital storytelling. These three executives represent studios that have consistently pushed the boundaries of visual artistry and technical achievement, shaping the future of animated features, blockbuster visual effects, and immersive entertainment. Their collective expertise spans the development and execution of some of the most beloved and technologically advanced projects in recent cinematic history.
Trailblazers in Animation and Visual Effects
Holly Edwards, at the helm of Skydance Animation, oversees a dynamic global operation dedicated to creating original animated feature films and television series. Under her strategic guidance, Skydance Animation has achieved significant milestones, including the successful releases of Luck, WondLa, and Spellbound. The studio’s most recent theatrical debut, Swapped, has made a resounding impact, marking the biggest animated film launch in Netflix history and achieving the platform’s highest weekly viewership for an animated title. This success story is a testament to Edwards’ vision and her team’s execution, demonstrating a keen understanding of audience engagement and market trends. Looking ahead, Skydance Animation is poised to captivate audiences once again with the highly anticipated release of Ray Gunn, a project helmed by two-time Academy Award winner Brad Bird, further cementing the studio’s position as a powerhouse in the animation sphere. Edwards’ presence at VIEW Conference 2026 promises invaluable insights into the strategic and creative imperatives driving one of Hollywood’s most ambitious animation studios.
Michelle Grady’s leadership at Sony Pictures Imageworks is synonymous with excellence in visual effects and animation production. As President, she is responsible for the global operations, strategic direction, planning, and execution of all productions emanating from the renowned studio. Sony Pictures Imageworks has been instrumental in bringing to life a vast array of critically acclaimed and commercially successful projects. Recent highlights under Grady’s purview include the visually stunning GOAT, the ambitious sci-fi epic Project Hail Mary, the vibrant KPop Demon Hunters, the imaginative In Your Dreams, the superhero saga The Fantastic Four: First Steps, and the highly anticipated A Minecraft Movie. Beyond these, the studio’s legacy is further illuminated by its groundbreaking work on Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, the heartwarming The Sea Beast, and the blockbuster hit Spider-Man: No Way Home. Grady’s tenure is characterized by a relentless pursuit of artistic integrity and technological innovation, making her insights into the operational and creative challenges of large-scale VFX and animation production particularly sought after.
Janet Lewin, a pivotal figure at Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), commands oversight of the company’s global studios, encompassing production, creative, and studio operations across visual effects, feature animation, immersive entertainment, and other emerging business lines. Her extensive experience includes a significant role in managing visual effects for Lucasfilm projects, where she collaborated closely with filmmakers and production-side VFX teams, providing strategic guidance on technology, budgets, and creative workflows throughout the production lifecycle. Lewin’s impressive credits as overall Lucasfilm VFX Producer include major installments of the Star Wars saga: The Force Awakens, Rogue One, The Last Jedi, Solo, and The Rise of Skywalker. Furthermore, her contributions as co-producer on The Mandalorian were crucial in driving the adoption and refinement of ILM’s revolutionary StageCraft virtual production methodology. Lewin’s deep understanding of both the artistic and logistical complexities of cutting-edge VFX, coupled with her pioneering work in virtual production, positions her as an indispensable voice at VIEW Conference 2026.
A Commitment to Inclusivity and Excellence
Dr. Maria Elena Gutierrez, Conference Director of VIEW Conference, expressed her profound enthusiasm for the newly announced speakers. "As a passionate supporter of inclusivity, diversity, and gender equality, I am proud to welcome to VIEW Conference three women speakers who are all leaders in their field," Dr. Gutierrez stated. "Their collective contribution to the global film industry is immeasurable. It is truly an honor to bring them together at our beautiful venue in Turin, Italy, in October this year." This statement highlights the conference’s core values and its dedication to providing a platform for influential voices, particularly those championing underrepresented perspectives within the creative and technical sectors. The selection of these three women leaders directly aligns with this mission, offering attendees an unparalleled opportunity to learn from their experiences and leadership philosophies.
A Comprehensive Program for Creative and Technical Minds
The VIEW Conference 2026 program is meticulously designed to offer a multifaceted learning experience, encompassing a rich array of keynotes, insightful panels, engaging talks, hands-on workshops, and masterclasses. These sessions will feature leading industry professionals from the interconnected fields of animation, visual effects, video games, artificial intelligence, virtual production, and other allied disciplines. The comprehensive agenda ensures that attendees, ranging from seasoned professionals to aspiring newcomers, will find content relevant to their career development and creative aspirations.
Adding further prestige to the event, the conference will host distinguished special guests, including the renowned two-time Oscar-winning cinematographer Sir Roger Deakins and his creative partner James Ellis Deakins, collectively known as Team Deakins. Their participation will offer a rare and intimate exploration into the art, craft, and science of cinematography, a discipline fundamental to visual storytelling. Their insights into lighting, composition, and camera work are expected to be a highlight for filmmakers, cinematographers, and anyone interested in the visual language of cinema.
The expanding list of speakers also includes Daniel Chong and Nicole Paradis Grindle, the director and producer behind Pixar’s upcoming animated feature Hoppers. Their presentation will undoubtedly offer a fascinating glimpse into the creative process and production challenges of bringing a major animated film to life. Additionally, Glenn Entis, Senior Director at Google DeepMind, will be sharing his expertise. Entis leads teams at the forefront of exploring creative applications of artificial intelligence, a rapidly evolving domain with profound implications for the future of content creation. He also serves as the executive producer of the animated short Dear Upstairs Neighbors, a project that likely showcases innovative AI-driven creative processes.
Showcasing Groundbreaking Projects
VIEW Conference 2026 will also dedicate significant attention to the teams behind some of the most impactful recent visual effects projects. This focus provides a valuable opportunity for attendees to gain a deep understanding of the technical and creative challenges overcome in bringing these ambitious visions to the screen. Confirmed to present their work are:
- Paul Lambert and Mag Sarnowska, Production VFX Supervisors for Project Hail Mary, a film lauded for its seamless integration of complex scientific concepts with breathtaking visual effects.
- Eric Saindon, Wētā FX Senior Production VFX Supervisor for Avatar: Fire and Ash. Saindon’s involvement with the Avatar franchise promises insights into the cutting-edge techniques employed to create its immersive and visually stunning worlds.
- Hal Hickel, Production Animation Supervisor for The Mandalorian and Grogu. Hickel, a veteran of many iconic projects, will likely discuss the animation techniques and virtual production methodologies that have defined the series’ distinctive visual style.
- Noelle Triaureau, Production Designer, and Juan-Luis Sanchez, VFX Supervisor, for Swapped. Their presentation will shed light on the creative and technical collaboration required to design and execute the visual world of Skydance Animation’s latest Netflix hit.
- Jay Worth, Production VFX Supervisor for Fallout Season 2. Worth’s contribution to the critically acclaimed adaptation of the video game franchise is expected to reveal the intricate details of translating a beloved virtual world into a live-action series.
All the aforementioned speakers are confirmed to attend in person, reinforcing the value of direct interaction and networking opportunities at the conference. As the event draws closer, further announcements of additional speakers and program details are anticipated, promising an even richer and more comprehensive experience for all attendees.
Historical Context and Future Implications
The VIEW Conference has a long-standing history, dating back to its inception in 1996, making it one of the oldest and most respected events in the digital visual arts domain. Initially focused on the burgeoning field of computer graphics for cinema, it has consistently evolved to encompass new technologies and artistic disciplines. The conference has become a crucial nexus for the exchange of ideas between artists, technicians, researchers, and industry leaders. Its continued growth and international recognition are indicative of the accelerating pace of innovation in the fields it covers.
The inclusion of figures like Edwards, Grady, and Lewin, who represent studios at the vanguard of content creation, is particularly significant. Skydance Animation’s recent success with Swapped highlights the growing dominance of streaming platforms and the increasing demand for high-quality animated content. Sony Pictures Imageworks’ diverse slate demonstrates the studio’s adaptability across genres and technological demands, from ambitious sci-fi to superhero epics. ILM’s continued leadership, especially in virtual production, signals a fundamental shift in filmmaking methodologies.
The focus on AI by Google DeepMind’s Glenn Entis, and the inclusion of projects like Project Hail Mary and Avatar: Fire and Ash, underscore the profound impact of artificial intelligence and advanced simulation technologies on filmmaking. These advancements are not merely tools for efficiency but are increasingly becoming integral to the creative process itself, opening up new avenues for storytelling and visual expression.
The conference’s emphasis on inclusivity, as highlighted by Dr. Gutierrez, is also a critical development. As the industry strives for greater representation and diverse perspectives, VIEW Conference’s commitment to showcasing leaders from various backgrounds serves as a model for fostering a more equitable and innovative future. The discussions and presentations at VIEW Conference 2026 are therefore not just about current trends but are shaping the trajectory of digital art and entertainment for years to come. Attendees can expect to leave with a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing the industry, as well as inspiration drawn from the pioneers who are actively defining its future.
