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Game Developers Conference
March 9-13, 2026
Moscone CenterSan Francisco, CA

Animation Summit

GDC Summits offer an unparalleled opportunity to dive deep into specific game development disciplines, guided by industry leaders who are at the forefront of innovation. Taking place over two intensive days, Monday and Tuesday, these focused sessions provide actionable insights and advanced knowledge that will directly impact your work, all while connecting you with a global community of peers who share your passion. Attending a GDC Summit is not just about learning — it's about gaining the tools and connections needed to advance your career and make a lasting impact in the industry.

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Mastering the Art of Movement

The Animation Summit at GDC 2025 is a comprehensive, one-day exploration into the intricate art and science of game animation.

This summit is designed to equip animators with the knowledge and skills needed to create captivating character performances, seamless gameplay interactions, and cinematic experiences that resonate with players. From traditional animation processes to technical achievements and bite-sized tips and tricks, this summit provides invaluable insights into both the craft and culture of animation.

One-Day Summit
Pass Access: All Access Pass, Summits Pass
Conference Track: Visual Arts

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Who Attends

Tailored for animators, technical artists, riggers, and game developers passionate about bringing characters and worlds to life. Whether you’re an experienced animator in a AAA studio or an indie developer pushing boundaries, this event provides the ideal environment to refine your craft, learn from industry leaders, and explore new techniques to elevate your projects.

Networking & Collaboration

Engage with a vibrant community of professionals shaping the future of game animation. This event offers a unique platform to connect with peers, share experiences, and collaborate on solutions to challenges animators face today. Participate in lively discussions, exchange ideas, and build relationships that can lead to future collaborations and ongoing professional growth.

Summit Takeaways

Learn industry-leading animation techniques, tools, and workflows. From mastering character performance and action sequences to refining rigging processes and procedural animations, this summit covers essential topics for creating polished, engaging animations. You’ll leave with actionable strategies to apply immediately, ensuring your work meets and exceeds industry standards.

2025 Session Highlights

Stop Motion Southern Gothic: Animating 'South of Midnight'

Vincent Schneider
Associate Animation Director, Compulsion Games
Remi Edmond
Lead Technical Animator, Compulsion Games
Sebastien Dussault
Cinematic Director, Agora Studio
Mike Jungbluth
Animation Director, Compulsion Games

2D Character Rigging in UE for Realtime Animation or MoCap

Meghdad Asadilari
Assistant Professor, Rochester Institute of Technology

Starting Over: Building a Game Animation Team at a New Studio

Hector Antunez
Animation Director, Bit Reactor

Animation Summit Advisors

Lana Bachynski

Riot Games

Michael Jungbluth

Compulsion Games

Myk Braker

JALI Research

Connecting the Global Game Development Community