Disney Unveils Women’s Artistry in Animation at Animayo Festival

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Walt Disney Animation Studios is honoring female artists and animators with a unique showcase titled “Whimsy & Wonder” during the Animayo festival in the Canary Islands, Spain’s only animation event that qualifies for an Oscar. The exhibit will run from May 7th to 10th, being shown exclusively at this festive occasion.

This year’s official sponsor, Disney, will honor the female artists whose work has significantly influenced Disney’s visual storytelling for over a century. Notable figures include Mary Blair, who revolutionized color usage in the 1950s, and the innovative women behind contemporary hits such as “Frozen,” “Encanto,” and the upcoming sequel to “Moana.” The exhibit serves as a tribute to the trailblazing women who have left their mark on animation’s past, while also shaping its future.

Disney, one of this year’s official sponsors, will showcase the female artists who have played a crucial role in Disney’s visual storytelling for over a century. Among them are pioneers like Mary Blair, who redefined color usage in the 1950s, and the women behind popular films such as “Frozen,” “Encanto,” and the upcoming sequel to “Moana.” This exhibit is a tribute to the groundbreaking women who have shaped animation’s past and are shaping its future.

During the 1940s and 50s, Blair (1911–1978), an esteemed color designer and art director from America, introduced a fresh, daring perspective to Disney animation. Her creative application of bright colors and fanciful forms significantly altered the studio’s aesthetic during the mid-20th century.

In the 1940s and ’50s, Blair (1911–1978), a renowned American color stylist and art director, breathed new life into Disney animation with her innovative use of vivid hues and playful shapes. These changes instigated a remarkable evolution in the studio’s artistic direction during the mid-20th century.

Whimsy & Wonder provides a peek at the imaginative works of gifted visual development and storytelling artists from Walt Disney Animation Studios, spanning from movies such as “The Princess and the Frog” (2009) to Disney’s upcoming 2024 animated feature film, “Moana 2”.

As a discerning film critic, I’m thrilled to announce that I’ll be attending an exceptional exhibition. This event promises to showcase masterpieces from none other than Blair himself, as well as the outstanding creations of six artistic wonders hailing from the prestigious Walt Disney Animation Studios. Get ready to immerse yourself in a visual feast!

  • Lorelay BovĂ© (Spain/Andorra): Visual development artist on “Big Hero 6,”” Zootopia,” “Wreck-It Ralph,”” The Princess and the Frog” and associate production designer of Oscar-winner “Encanto.” BovĂ© will also be present at Animayo to give a Masterclass and participate in an exclusive portfolio review session.
  • Lisa Keene: Production designer and visual development artist on “Wish,” “Frozen” and classics such as “Beauty and the Beast” and “The Lion King.”
  • Brittney Lee: Production designer and visual development artist, renowned for her iconic costume design for Elsa in “Frozen” and the interior of Elsa’s ice palace.
  • Griselda Sastrawinata-Lemay: Visual development artist on “Encanto”,” Moana,” “Raya and the Last Dragon” and associate production designer on “Wish.”
  • Josie Trinidad: Emmy-winning director and head of story on “Zootopia” and “Ralph Breaks the Internet.”
  •  Fawn Veerasunthorn: Director of “Wish” and head of story on “Raya and the Last Dragon.”

As a passionate enthusiast, I’m excitedly looking forward to being part of Animayo Gran Canaria 2025, led by the visionary DamiĂĄn Perea. This extraordinary event will gather over 40 esteemed speakers and guests of honor, including artists, creators, and experts hailing from renowned studios, production companies, and academic institutions worldwide.

I’m thrilled to share that Walt Disney Animation Studios has graced us with the selection of Animayo for their exceptional exhibition, marking the 20th anniversary of our festival. The Walt Disney Animation Research Library has meticulously curated a one-of-a-kind exhibition tracing over a century of artistic influence. Undeniably, this exhibition will serve as a source of inspiration for countless young girls and women participating in our event, as they are bound to feel empowered by the six extraordinary female artists on display.

Marking its 20th anniversary as a thriving animation center in the Canary Islands, Animayo – Spain’s sole Oscar-qualifying festival – is reaching a significant milestone with this premiere. In fact, an Iranian short film titled “In the Shadow of the Cypress,” which won Animayo’s Best International Short Film award back in 2024, later triumphed as the best animated short at the 97th Academy Awards this year.

The lineup of sponsors for the festival is spearheaded by the Cabildo of Gran Canaria via its Presidency Department, the Society for the Advancement of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria City, the Tourism, Industry, and Commerce Department of the Canary Islands Government through Promotur, and the Canary Islands Institute for Cultural Development (ICDC), as well as Gran Canaria Tourism, La Caja de Canarias Foundation, and the Canary Islands Government. Additionally, Animayo counts on the involvement of various production companies, studios, schools, and universities.

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2025-04-27 19:17