‘Wild Robot,’ ‘Transformers One’ Directors Among Speakers at 25th View Conference

As a seasoned cinephile who has traversed the globe in pursuit of cinematic excellence and industry insights, I must confess that the View Conference in Turin is nothing short of a revelation. Having attended numerous conferences and events spanning continents, I can confidently say that this gathering stands out as one of the most unique and captivating experiences I’ve had.


Tucked away beneath the majestic Alps in northern Italy lies Turin, host of the View Conference. This year marks its 25th anniversary, having evolved significantly from a regional event called Virtuality. Today, it’s a vibrant, week-long international summit where entertainment industry experts share insights through talks, workshops, and masterclasses, all while immersing in the local culture, savoring delicious cuisine, and networking opportunities.

According to conference director Maria Elena Gutierrez, “it’s a destination where people desire to be.” She attributes this to the feeling of camaraderie. People connect, form bonds, and feel like they’re working together with the industry’s elite. There’s an enchanting atmosphere, and it’s not solely due to our location in Italy.

The conference began its journey in conjunction with the allocation of funds from the European Union for establishing Technology Park, which incorporated a school and a post-production studio. Gutierrez assumed control over the event in 2005. Initially, it was quite modest; it was primarily conducted in Italian and targeted the local community. It lacked an international aspect.

Upon assuming the leadership position, Gutierrez expressed a desire to make a lasting impact on the conference. In collaboration with some colleagues from Pixar, he devised an acronym for the new name: Virtual Interactive Emerging World (VIEW). Thus, the View Conference was reborn under its fresh identity.

The confab has come a long way from those humble beginnings, with an array of Oscar winners and nominees touching down in Turin over the years. Many return year after year because of the sense of community, the relaxing atmosphere and good memories. “Many people like [Industrial Light & Magic senior vice president-chief creative officer] Rob Bredow say it’s their favorite conference in the world,” Gutierrez says. 

She notes that the event revolves heavily around the shared experience. Attendees frequently attend each other’s talks, with many speakers observed refining their own presentations based on what they learn from others, then spending substantial time reworking and remaking their presentations. This collaborative process is truly impressive, resulting in exceptional presentations. While the dinners are certainly enjoyable, the overall atmosphere is akin to a retreat, fostering learning and growth among participants.

Initially finding it difficult to attract big names in the industry for the conference, now it’s routinely full. As Gutierrez remarks, “I frequently receive requests from filmmakers working on their new projects asking if they can present at View Conference once their movie is completed.” He continues, “When they come to Turin, they often stay for the entire week — these are individuals whose time is so valuable that it’s usually challenging just to secure 15 minutes with them. I think this occurs because we’ve managed to establish an event that people truly enjoy and consider worth prioritizing.

2021’s conference is brimming with well-known figures as speakers. They include Chris Sanders, director of “The Wild Robot” from DreamWorks Animation; Jonathan Nolan, executive producer for Amazon MGM Studios and Kilter Films’ “Fallout”; Fede Álvarez, who directed and co-wrote “Alien: Romulus”; Andrew Jackson, VFX supervisor of “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga”; Paul Lambert, overall VFX supervisor for “Dune: Part Two”; Kelsey Mann, director of Pixar’s upcoming “Inside Out 2”; and Josh Cooley, director of Paramount Animation’s “Transformers One”. Moreover, Ramsey Naito from Nickelodeon Animation and Paramount Animation will receive the View’s Visionary Award at this event.

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2024-10-11 21:18