Having grown from 120 members to 12,000 creatives over the last 10 years, we are on the brink of realizing a major milestone for the animation industry: our goal is to see women and non-binary people in 50% of animation and VFX creative roles. With LA being home to the biggest animation studios in the world, it is a major focus of ours. Realizing our goal of gender-parity will not only increase representation and inclusivity in animation and visual effects, but leverage the entertainment industry’s cultural influence to move gender equity forward across California and beyond.

1) Mentorship Circles – WIA has 50 Mentorship Circles, connecting 500 women and nonbinary creatives to mentors in the animation, VFX, and gaming industries each year.
2) Professional Growth Events – WIA provides professional growth events, including titles such as “Understanding the Animation Feature Film Pipeline for Beginners,” “Negotiations and Contracts,” “Bridging the Gap Between Jobs and Staying Hired,” and many more.
3) Talent Database & Industry Advocacy – WIA’s database of over 6,000 women and non-binary professionals is used by over two dozen studio recruiters and hiring managers. Additionally, we have 30+ studio partners who participate in our programs and provide financial support on an annual basis.
4) Leadership Institute – a highly interactive, year-long leadership program designed specifically for women and gender non-binary people in middle management creative roles.
5) Youth Development & Scholarships – WIA hosts two Mentorship Circles for young people in California without formal animation education and/or come from low-income families. WIA also provides scholarships to support deserving animation students who identify with an underrepresented gender and demonstrate artistic talent, a passion for animation, a financial need, and a promising future in our industry.