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For its 2019 edition, the Frame-By-Frame Animators Conference (FxF) has put together an impressive lineup of animation industry guests to be part of a day-long event at Chicago’s DePaul University on May 4.

The guests of honor are Estonian animation legend Priit Pärn, who also established the animation studies program at the Estonian Academy of Arts; Phil Tippett, the Academy Award winning vfx maven who has worked on Star Wars, Robocop, and Jurassic Park; and Julia Pott, creator of the Cartoon Network series Summer Camp Island.

Other special guests include Joyce N. Ho, an art director and motion designer who has worked on the opening titles to the tv series True Detective and The Expanse, and 3d artist Katie Torn, who creates digital assemblages out of computer graphics and video. Additionally, veteran Disney animator Brian Ferguson will present a masterclass on character animation, while gaming industry vet Heinz Schuller presents a game art masterclass.

This is the second year FxF takes place as part of the DePaul Animation Program and the School of Cinematic Arts Visiting Artist Series. Last year’s conference guests included PES, Joanna Priestley, and David OReilly.

The all-day event is mostly FREE and open to the general public. Tickets for the Pärn, Pott, and Tippett programs cost between $3-10. For tickets and details, visit here.

(Pictured at top: Priit Pärn’s “The Night of the Carrots”)