WIA World Summit 2025 Recap

The ninth annual WIAWorld Summit, held on June 9th at Annecy’s Impérial Palace Hotel, brought together 350+ attendees and sparked dynamic conversations on gender equity, innovation, and the evolving animation landscape. Under the theme “The Future is Animated,” the day-long symposium featured industry leaders, filmmakers, and executives exploring how to create a more inclusive and forward-thinking industry.

A Summit of Reflection and Progress

WIA President Marge Dean set the tone, emphasizing that while progress has been made, “true equity demands relentless focus on opportunity, access, and amplifying underrepresented voices.” CITIA CEO Mickaël Marin echoed this sentiment, celebrating the Summit as a cornerstone of Annecy and a platform for “bold, creative voices shaping animation’s future.”

The event also carried deep emotional weight as attendees honored Fumi Kitahara, WIA’s longtime Publicity Chair and beloved advocate, who passed away earlier this year. “Fumi was instrumental in WIA’s success—a connector, a mentor, and a force for inclusion,” said WIA Vice President Jinko Gotoh. Her legacy resonated throughout the day, reinforcing the Summit’s mission of solidarity and opportunity.

Key Sessions & Insights

The Audience-Driven Future – Panelists, including Maya Penn (Upenndo! Productions) and Hayley Lam (Studio Munbou), explored digital-first storytelling, fan engagement, and monetization in the age of YouTube, Webtoons, and beyond.
The Future of Adult Animation – Industry leaders like Marci Proietto (20th Century Fox) and Marshell Becton (Skybound Entertainment) discussed the rise of mature, culturally rich narratives in animation.
What’s Next: Showcasing the Future – Linda Simensky (Duolingo) and Rebecca Sugar led a discussion on mentorship. Then Sugar treated everyone to a song! That was then followed by rising talents like Megan Dong (Warner Bros.) and Sylvia Prietov (Lucy Animation Studio) sharing their groundbreaking work.

For those who missed it, the full WIA World Summit recording will soon be available on our website. As the industry evolves, WIA remains committed to fostering equity, celebrating diverse voices, and ensuring that, as this year’s theme declared, the future truly is animated.

Check out our gallery of images below.