Special Showcase: 24 Hours Animation Contest for Students
Friday, March 27 | 2:00–3:00 PM | Room 303AB
Moderated by Saturday Morning Cartoons United™
The internationally recognized 24 Hours Animation Contest for Students challenges teams of student animators from around the world to create a fully realized 30-second animated film in just 24 hours. This special showcase will feature a screening of the Top 50 films from the competition, highlighting the creativity, ingenuity, and storytelling skills of the next generation of animators.
Following the screening, join a live Q&A with select filmmakers from the featured shorts and contest founder Aubry Mintz. The discussion will be moderated by acclaimed voice actor Eric Bauza (Adventure Time, Teen Titans Go!) alongside Caro Buermann of Saturday Morning Cartoons United.
This program is sponsored by Legends Animated, a 501(c)(3) worker self-directed nonprofit dedicated to creating collaborative opportunities for independent animation that is both engaging and impactful.
Prime-Time Animation: How Cartoons Grew Up
Saturday, March 28 | 2:00–3:00 PM | Room 207
Prime-time animated television fundamentally changed the perception of what cartoons could be. This panel explores how groundbreaking series like The Simpsons and Family Guy transformed animation into a platform for satire, social commentary, and sophisticated storytelling aimed at broader audiences beyond children.
Moderated by voice actor Eric Bauza (Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck), panelists include director Cecilia Aranovich (Harley Quinn, Bob's Burgers), supervising producer Mike Hollingsworth (BoJack Horseman, Tuca & Bertie), producer Monica Mitchell (Rick and Morty, South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut), John Semper (Spider-Man: The Animated Series, Static Shock), and production designer/colorist Carol Wyatt (Rick and Morty, The Simpsons).
Together, they will discuss the creative risks, cultural impact, and storytelling innovations that helped animated sitcoms shape television comedy for decades. By examining both the legacy and continued evolution of prime-time animation, this conversation celebrates how the medium “grew up” while maintaining the humor, irreverence, and imaginative spirit that make cartoons timeless.