Picto●●NYC
12th
Pictoplasma
NYC
SEPTEMBER 17 + 18, 2026
In its 12th NYC edition, the world’s leading conference on character creativity returns for a dense 2 days celebration, full of fresh inspiration, cutting-edge artist talks and presentations, lovingly curated animation screenings, with a stern focus on contemporary visual story telling, plus plenty of opportunities to mix, mingle and meet with bright-eyed character enthusiasts—as new friends, professional contacts, and future collaborators.
The accompanying animation program awaits with further visual stimuli—a far cry from family entertainment, while the overall event invites attending talent and industry to connect, network, and exchange strategies for the future of character design as a narrative device that can carry empathy, emotion, edginess, and meaning – all at the same time..
PictoNYC registration starts June 1st (at noon EDT)
●●CONFERENCE
ARTIST TALKS & LECTURES
Pictoplasma NYC presents 12+ hand picked key lectures by the world’s most influential artists and upcoming talents, cutting-edge graphic, toy and game designers and leading animation filmmakers.
FIRST CONFIRMED SPEAKERS
Brian Blomerth
US
Illustrator, cartoonist, musician, and veteran of the underground music and arts scene whose work has graced numerous album covers, posters, clothing and his own line of T-shirts
Sawako Kabuki
JP
Japanese animator and illustrator known for her distinctive hand-drawn style, colors, irreverent point of view, and a passion for butts
Spencer Gabor
US
Illustrator and animator looking for moments of color and joy, building around zany and expressive characters and a love of bright palettes and wonky perspectives
and more …
… to be announced soon!
●● and many more!
●●ANIMATION SCREENINGS
Big screen psychedelic eye-candy …
… and storytelling genius: Pictoplasma NYC presents a feature film length selection of 18 fresh animated shorts and experimental narration a far cry from family entertainment, featuring the latest generation of characters in motion.
●●Portfolio Reviews
Networking
Do you want to showcase your animation project or hope for personal feedback on your illustration portfolio, crave to hook up with “the industry,” or just get some advice by someone who might be able to help recalibrate your character project?
Friday’s rapid-fire networking event grants conference attendees private face-to-face time with ten industry leaders, agencies, production companies and talent scouts.
-
* subject to change
THU, SEPT 17
14:30 PM
D●●RS OPEN
4 — 5:30 PM
LECTURES
6:30 — 8:00 PM
Lectures
8:30 — 9:50 PM
ANIMATION SCREENING
FR, SEPT 18
11:30 AM — 12:30 PM
PORTFOLIO REVIEWS
1:30 — 3 PM
LECTURES
4 — 5:30 PM
LECTURES
6:30 — 8:00 PM
LECTURES
8:00 — 11 PM
G●●DBYE DRINKS
●●VENUE
SVA THEATRE
333 West 23rd Street
between 8th and 9th Avenues
New York, NY 10011
www.svatheatre.com
Featuring two theaters, an elegant lobby and green room designed by Milton Glaser, the SVA Theatre hosts both intimate and extravagant events and has been home to red carpet premieres, awards shows, film festivals, and theatrical events.
LIMITED EARLY BIRD TICKETS
AVAILABLE S●●N!!!
Attendee registration for the 12th Pictoplasma NYC Conference goes online on the 1st of June 2025 (at noon EDT), with a special EARLY BIRD OFFER, LIMITED TO THE 100 FIRST ATTENDEES* completing the online registration process.
PICTO●●NYC 2026
Registration payments are handled by secure credit card transaction and PayPal.
No physical tickets are sent out prior to the event. All attendees receive a unique registration code via email (sent a bit closer towards the event to the attendee email address provided during purchase). The full festival passes (wearable, non-transferable wrist-bands) will be awaiting you directly at the venue.
Please read our terms & conditions before making the online payment.
FREQUENTLY
ASKED
QUESTIONS
… and a hand full of answers:
CODE OF
CONDUCT
Pictoplasma continuously works to keep the conference a welcoming, safe and friendly experience for all guests, staff, volunteers and artists. In other words, we do not tolerate threats of violence, unwelcome sexual attention, slurs or hate speech, including hurtful comments involving race, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, physical appearance, disability, age and religious or political belief, whether they are personal or general. Anyone asked to stop any harassing behavior is expected to comply immediately.
If you can’t help make the world (at least during our conference) a welcoming, harassment-free and supportive place for all characters and humans alike, Pictoplasma is not for you. Whoever violates these rules will be expelled from the conference without a refund at the discretion of the organiser.
If the behavior of anyone makes you (or anyone else) feel unsafe or unwelcome, please report it as soon as possible. Incidents can be reported to any member of venue staff or the conference team at the info desks onsite, where we will be happy to help, contact security or local law enforcement, provide escorts, or otherwise assist those experiencing harassment to feel safe.
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