Creators from Africa to France discussed how artificial intelligence could rebalance the storytelling ecosystem – if used ethically, thoughtfully, and locally

Sharjah, May 2, 2025

Artificial intelligence has the potential to transform the future of children’s content and empower storytellers from underrepresented regions, said leading global creators who gathered at the 3rd annual Sharjah Animation Conference (SAC 2025) for a panel discussion ‘The Future of Kids’ Content and AI’, on Thursday.

Bancroft explores running gags, freeze-frames, and the universal language of laughter during Sharjah Animation Conference masterclass

Sharjah, May 2, 2025

The Sharjah Animation Conference 2025 (SAC 2025) has commenced on its opening day with a resounding response, as Disney legend Tony Bancroft; the animator behind iconic characters like The Lion King’s ‘Pumbaa’ and the hilarious parrot, ‘Iago’ from Aladdin; led an exclusive workshop titled “Animating Comedy: Mastering Character Posing & Timing.”

The visionary behind beloved characters like Mushu and Simba teaches aspiring artists how strong design begins with simple shapes and purposeful storytelling

Sharjah, May 2, 2025

The 3rd annual Sharjah Animation Conference (SAC) opened at Expo Center Sharjah on Thursday with celebrated Disney animator Tom Bancroft leading a masterclass on ‘Master Character Design’.

“Every great character begins with a great personality. So, before you even put pencil to paper, you need to understand who your character truly is,” the animator behind iconic characters from Mulan, The Lion King, and Aladdin told the packed hall, as he walked them through the process of building characters that are not only visually appealing but emotionally resonant.