We are delighted to announce the first of our speakers from the 2024 Directors LAB! We are excited to be joined by Oscar nominated Troy Quane. Troy is a Canadian-American veteran of the Hollywood animation industry known for directing major studio pictures including SPIES IN DISGUISE, starring Will Smith and Tom Holland, and most recently the Academy Award nominated film NIMONA based on the graphic novel of the same name by ND Stevenson.

Quane began his career as a traditional animator on various top end commercials and feature films until 2005, when he accepted the opportunity to work as Storyboard Supervisor on the critically acclaimed live-action Disney film ENCHANTED. He continued working in the story department for various studios which ultimately led him to direct the twenty-two-minute short film THE SMURFS: A CHRISTMAS CAROL. Quane currently resides in Ridgefield CT.

The Animation Directors’ Lab is designed to empower the next generation of animation directors to compete on the world stage. It will run from 17th to 21st June 2024 and will take place over the course of 5 days at Frybrook House in Boyle, Co Roscommon.

Application deadline has been extended and more information can be found here

The Directors Lab was developed and designed by Stephen Fagan creative producer and managing director of Studio Meala and Damien Byrne from the National Film School @ IADT. It has been developed by the National Film School @IADT in association with The Creative Futures Academy, The Creative Industries Skillnet, FilmEU- The University Alliance, The National Talent Academy for Animation and N-Tuttor @IADT