Zareh Nalbandian - CEO & Co-Founder, Animal Logic (Happy Feet, The LEGO Movie, Peter Rabbit)

Producer, CEO & Founder of Animal Logic Entertainment

Zareh Nalbandian is the Co-Founder of the ground-breaking Animation Studio, Animal Logic, and the Founder and CEO of production companies Animal Logic Entertainment (ALE) and Truant Pictures.

In his role as ALE CEO, Zareh guides thedevelopment of an ever-evolving slate of highly commercial, tent-pole feature films and television productions, collaborating with visionary filmmakers and creative partners around the world. Established in 2006, ALE has successfully partnered with major studios and streaming platforms across Hollywood, building a successful stable of animated and hybrid family-film franchises for both theatrical and streaming releases.

Truant Pictures, founded in 2017, collaborates with emerging and established Australian and international talent to develop, finance, and produce high-quality live-action genre films and series for global audiences.

Zareh has always been dedicated to fostering talent through mentorships and residencies and supporting educational, arts, and creative industry organisations with the goal of developing a broad and diverse range of careers in the screen and arts sectors.

In a ground-breaking collaboration with the University of Technology Sydney, Zareh as CEO of Animal Logic established the UTS Animal Logic Academy in 2017. This pioneering venture offers industry-focused Master of Animation and Visualisation programs, as well as postgraduateresearch opportunities. The partnership's success culminated in Zareh being awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the University in 2018.

Zareh’s producing credits include Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole, Peter Rabbit, Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway, and Executive Producer on Academy Award-winning Happy Feet,Walking with Dinosaurs 3D, The LEGO Movie & The LEGO Batman Movie.

Zareh serves as the Deputy Chair of the Sydney Film Festival and is on the board of Australians in Film. Additionally, he is a dedicated Patron of the Motion Picture Industry Benevolent Society and holds memberships in prominent industry organisations such as AACTA, PGA, VES, and AMPAS. In recognition of his exceptional contributions, Zareh was honoured as the Australian NationalCinema Pioneer of the Year in 2017. Zareh's extensive involvement in the film industry led to his appointment in 2021 to the Australian Broadband Advisory Council, following his decade-long service as Deputy Chair of Ausfilm.

James Boyce - Founder, Grumpy Sailor & Member, NSW Government, 24-Hour Economy Advisory Group

James is the founder and creative visionary behind Grumpy Sailor. His experience spans a varietyof mediums including moving images, written word, in-gallery experiences, large-scale television commercials and advertising campaigns, interactive products and immersive experiences, and feature films sometimes all at once!

In the nascent stages of his career, James honed his skills in various capacities within the film industry, donning hats as diverse as a production runner and a copywriter. It was during these formative years that his passion for immersive technology began to take root and with an innate entrepreneurial spirit, James established his successful creative experience design studio, GrumpySailor.

Under his astute leadership, Grumpy Sailor has emerged as a trailblazer in the realm of immersive experiences, captivating audiences with cutting-edge creations that push the boundaries of creativity and technology. Recent projects include the Bondi Story Room, Alice Springs Parrtjima, aFestival in Light and the FIFA Museum presented by Hyundai during the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023.

James has an enviable list of commercial and artistic partners, including PunchDrunk, The Sydney Opera House, Arts Centre Melbourne, The Melbourne Museum, ACMI, Google, the Royal Shakespeare Company and many more.

Beyond his entrepreneurial pursuits, James is deeply committed to fostering development and education within the creative industries. He actively engages with initiatives aimed at nurturing talent and promoting innovation, recognising the pivotal role that creativity plays in shapingsociety.

Throughout the years, the Grumpy Sailor’s design work has been recognised with several prestigious awards. Notably, a collaboration with the Melbourne Museum received the Good Design Award, which recognises outstanding design excellence. Additionally, the project titled "The Oracles / PunchDrunk & Google" was honoured with the Future of Storytelling Award byColumbia University. Grumpy is also the recipient of 2 Honor SEGD Global Design Awards in 2022, which recognise global best-in-class experience design. The studio's work has consistently received the MAGNA Award for Best Exhibition almost every year. The studio is proud of its team’sachievements and grateful for the recognition of its peers in the industry.

James's influence extends beyond the confines of the studio; he is an active member and advisor in the 24-hour Economy Advisory Group, the night-time industries association, and Business NSWamong many others. Through his dedicated efforts, James has played a pivotal role in driving significant policy changes that have positively impacted the creative industries, paving the way for growth and innovation.