The first free webinar in the new program, featuring animation veteran Wahid Ibn Reza, set for September 23; effort looks to provide guidance for students and professionals in animation and VFX.
Statement Strategies, a public relations firm specializing in the animation, VFX, video game and tech industries, has just announced its new, free, Animation Spotlight Program. Designed to provide comprehensive support and guidance to aspiring animators, students and professionals seeking to establish or transition their careers in the animation and VFX sectors, the Animation Spotlight Program will kick off Saturday, September 23 at 12 p.m. PT/3 p.m. ET. with a one-hour pilot session featuring animation veteran Wahid Ibn Reza. The talk will take place via a live Zoom webinar and cover the multifaceted world of animation and VFX. Participants can anticipate a comprehensive exploration of both artistic and practical aspects of the industry.
Reza writes in fantasy, comedy, action and sci-fi genres. In North America, Reza worked on short films as Executive Producer; Producer; Co-producer; Writer; and Director. His films have screened at such festivals as Edmonton Film Festival; Montreal World Film Festival; Whistler Film Festival; Toronto’s Inside Out LGBT Film Festival; Vancouver Queer Film Festival; International Student Film Festival Pisek in Czech Republic; LA Diversity Film Festival; Surrey International Film Festival; Golden Egg Film Festival in LA; and Student Art Festival in Florida.
As Producer, Reza won the Best Student Film award at FFM-Montreal 2015 and Edmonton Film Festival 2015 for the short film Terrorist. He won the Best of Festival Award in overall Student Production at SIFF 2014 for the short What am I doing Here?. Reza’s pitch-contest-winning animated short film The Paranoid Cat screened at the Cinequest Film Festival in 2016 in San Jose. His animated short Surviving 71 is currently in production. He also writes and directs for the Oscar-winning organization, National Film Board of Canada (NFB), working on an animated short about the climate crisis titled The Last Glacier.
Other accolades include: quarterfinalist at Scriptapalooza (2018), ScreenCraft Animation Competition (2022), and Filmmatic – Inroads Fellowship Season 6 (2023); semifinalist at Script2Comic (2022), Los Angeles International Screenplay Awards -Diversity Initiative II (2022); and finalist at NYC Midnight Screenwriting Challenge (2020). His original pilot appeared on the Red List in Coverfly for the Month of February-March in 2023. He worked as a freelance writer for companies such as Yellow Animation; Ferlyco; Wondery; Epic Story Media; Outfit 7; and Bidaya Media.
The Animation Spotlight Program's inaugural webinar, titled “Kickstarting Your Animation Career: Insights from a Dreamer” will include:
- Reza 's Career Odyssey: An intimate exploration of Reza 's personal journey, including pivotal moments, challenges and milestones.
- Navigating the Industry Landscape: An insightful analysis of the current state of the animation and VFX industries, addressing challenges and opportunities.
- Career Launchpad: Practical and actionable advice for students and newcomers on building portfolios, networking and finding job opportunities.
- Transitioning Careers: Tailored guidance for professionals looking to pivot into animation, emphasizing transferable skills and strategic steps.
Participants may also engage in a live Q&A session with the speaker.
“Being a part of the Animation Spotlight Program is a privilege,” said Reza. “During times of change, sharing experiences, insights and strategies becomes paramount. I am thrilled to engage with participants, offer guidance and contribute to their growth as professionals in the animation landscape.”
Matthew Celestial, President & CEO of Statement Strategies said, “Kicking off the Animation Spotlight Program with Wahid Ibn Reza exemplifies our unwavering commitment to fostering growth and resilience within the animation industry. We couldn’t be more excited to work with Wahid to help support the animation community. With the landscape continually evolving, our goal is to empower emerging and transitioning professionals with insights, skills and connections to navigate the industry's nuances effectively."
Interested parties may register for the Animation Spotlight Program via this form.
Source: Statement Strategies
Whitney is a freelance writer focusing on VFX-driven fantasy film & TV as well as preschool animation.
