Chris Edwards, CEO, The Third Floor

For over two decades, Chris Edwards has promoted the adoption of efficient, real-time visualization technologies and workflows across film, television, games and immersive entertainment. In October 2004, he co-founded THE THIRD FLOOR (TTF), an artist-driven Visualization Studio which is known for supporting the visions of many of the world’s most ambitious directors and designers.  TTF has amassed thousands of screen credits – from HBO’s Game of Thrones, to Lucasfilm’s latest Star Wars series, to an array of current and forthcoming productions across the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

TTF Teams have also designed many prestigious video game cinematics, and helped realize popular immersive attractions, including Universal Studios' Super Nintendo World.  In the face of the pandemic, Chris championed the launch of TTF’s innovative Final Animation division, which is currently delivering a groundbreaking animated feature produced via Epic Games' Unreal Engine.

Chris was named EY’s 2022 Entrepreneur of the Year for Greater Los Angeles and was honored with the prestigious Paris Images Digital Summit - GENIE Visionary Award in 2020.  In his free time, Chris can be found speaking to students and professionals around the globe, inspiring the next generation of visionary creators.

Reza Memari, Creative Director & Co-CEO, Telescope Animation Studios

Reza Memari co-founded Telescope Animation and Telescope Game Studios where he serves as creative director and co-CEO. His animated feature "A Stork's Journey" premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival and found success with audiences and critics worldwide. He is currently directing "The Last Whale Singer," set for global release in 2026. With a background in games development and entertainment marketing, Memari bridges the animation and gaming worlds. He is a member of the German and European Film Academies and an alumnus of the Academy for Children's Media and Berlinale Talents.

Andreas Schimmelpfennig, Managing Partner Creation, Elastique.

Andreas Schimmelpfennig is a creative director working at the intersection of the digital and physical world. His career began in sound design, followed by communication design studies at the Peter Behrens School of Arts, Duesseldorf. In 2005, he co-founded Elastique., a pioneering creative studio, with his wife Prof. Betty Schimmelpfennig.

His work, spanning commercial and experimental projects, frequently involves the innovative use of emerging technologies to enable new emotional experiences for the audience. Schimmelpfennig's excellence is recognized globally, evidenced by over 100 national and international design awards, including Cannes Lions Silver, ADC Gold and Red Dot Award Grand Prix.

Ilija Brunck, CEO, Woodblock

Ilija Brunck, partner and CEO of the German animation studio Woodblock, is dedicated to fostering a creative, sustainable, and human-friendly digital culture. With a rich background in animation, he's produced numerous short films like "458nm", "Loom", and "Bye Bear", earning accolades including Siggraph's Best in Show and the Golden Nica at Ars Electronica.

Throughout his career, Brunck has worked with a diverse range of clients, from Greenpeace and Apple to Netflix and Sphere. He's an active participant in industry panels, shares his expertise at the Filmakademie Baden-Wuerttemberg, and has had his work featured in notable publications. He's passionate about nurturing an environment of joy and innovation in content creation.