Global Animation Industry Experts visit Saint Lucia

Two well renowned Animation industry consultants sharing more than sixty years of experience in the Animation industry – Steven Koltai and Richard Smitheman both of the USA – visited the Malfinis Film and Animation Studio on Friday 1st April 2016.

“The main purpose of the visit by the global Experts in the Industry is to conduct an institutional gap analysis as a precursor to developing recommendations and appropriate training to address what is needed to prepare Malfinis Film and Animation Studio with what is required to conduct the business of animation globally.

​During the visit they met the officials of Caribbean Regional Communications Infrastructure Programme (CARCIP)as well as the contingent of local trainees participating in a 2D Animation training programme conducted by Malfinis Film and Animation Studio Inc. at the local National IT Centre in Castries.

Steven Koltai a Visiting Scholar of the Brookings Institution and the Managing Director of Koltai Co LLC said “When on island, we would especially want to meet with the actual artists and animators who do your work. We can and should meet whatever other government or ecosystem supporters you have, but our primary goal is to come as “potential buyers” of animation support services so we can really see what you offer and then help, if necessary, bolster your capacity.”

Koltai worked with WARNER BROS. INC (a Time Warner Company), Burbank, CA , Interactive Entertainment and Warner Bros. Online (1994-1996); Senior Vice President, Corporate Strategy & Business Development (1987-1994).

Currently, Steven Koltai, is the Managing Director (2002 to present) Koltai LLC International entrepreneurship ecosystem building consulting firm. The work of the firm is primarily concentrated in developing countries. Clients include : the World Bank, Inter-American Development Bank, and national development agencies such as the UK’s DFID, Australia’s DFAT, Switzerland’s SECO and others, as well as corporations, foundations and investors seeking to spur entrepreneurship. He has worked in over 20 countries including: Algeria, Botswana, Egypt, Ghana, Haiti, Indonesia, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Malaysia, Morocco, Palestinian Territories, South Africa, Turkey, 14 countries of CARICOM.

Richard Smitherman who has had a similarly long career in Animation industry is a Creative Director, Art Director, Visual Development Artist, and Background Painter. Some of the major projects he has worked on include James Baxter Animation ‘Enchanted’ , Rich Animation ‘Swan Princess’, Coolworld ‘Coolworld’, Hyperion ‘Rover Dangerfield’.

Sullivan Bluth Animation ‘A Troll in Central Park’ & ‘Thumbelina’, Universal Pictures ‘An American Tail 2:
Cartoons in the basement “A Monkeys Tale’ Murikami Wolf, ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’, Film Roman ‘Simpsons Movie’ Acme Filmworks Inc. ‘Drew Carey’s Green Screen Show’.