It’s been 20 years since the first Toy Story introduced us to the world of computer generated animated feature films and of course Pixar. Pixar will always have a special place in my heart as I grew up watching their films and still do. In fact when Toy Story 4 is released in 2018, I will probably be reaching for the tissue box and be a tearful mess as it will be the conclusion to a 23 year journey from childhood to adulthood. It’s scary yet oddly comforting to think that most kids who watched the first Toy Story will be watching Toy Story 4 with their kids. I guess it’s the Star Wars effect, I mean some people waited 32 years for Episode 7, so it came as no surprise when I heard that the majority of those who booked tickets in advance had an average age of 34. In short you can never be too old to watch Pixar or any film, watching films nowadays is a part of growing up and a way to spend time with family and friends.

Pixar Animation Studios President Edwin Catmull will be heading to Web Summit to take part in a conversation panel about creativity and Pixar. The panel will take place at the Centre at 4pm on Thursday 5th November, 2015.

But who exactly is Edwin Catmull and what insights can we expect to hear from the panel?

43 years ago in 1972 Edwin Catmull and Fred Parke produced a short computer-animated film called A Computer Animated Hand. In 1976 some of the computer-animated short film featured in Futureworld , a sequel to Westworld.

A Computer Animated Hand was one of the earliest examples of computer animation, the film has been hailed as groundbreaking and revolutionary. Catmull went on to become a co-founder of Pixar Animation Studios and President of Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios. In 2011, the film was inducted in the National Film Registry, labeled “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.” Library of Congress scholars wrote: “In creating the film, Catmull worked out concepts that would become the foundation for computer graphics that followed.”

Ed Catmull is photographed on January 15, 2010 at Pixar Animation Studios in Emeryville, Calif. (Photo by Deborah Coleman / Pixar)

Edwin Catmull is a pioneer in the world of computer animation, if it weren’t for him Pixar wouldn’t exist and could we even imagine such a world? A world without Toy Story? I personally would love to thank him for shaping part of my childhood with the wonders of Pixar and Walt Disney Animation. I hope those who attend his conversation panel will be inspired and become the next generation of innovative and creative animators to tell great stories. After all at the heart of all Pixar films is a great story.

You can find out more about Pixar by clicking here for our interview with James Ford Murphy, head of animation at Pixar Animation Studios, about his short animated film Lava. Lava was featured as the short film before the main feature Inside Out was shown at cinemas.

What is Web Summit?
Within four years Web Summit has become one of the world’s most influential and international tech events. This year Web Summit 2015 will showcase over 500 world-renowned speakers, 10 stages including the Digital Marketing, Internet of Things, Enterprise, and Builders Summits, 2,000 worldwide startups invited to exhibit their ideas, 200+ satellite events, 1,000 experienced investors, and 800 of the best tech journalists. From 3-5 November 2016, Dublin will once again become the international tech capital.

Where Does Web Summit take place?
Web Summit takes place in various venues across the city of Dublin, Ireland. The main conference venue is the Royal Dublin Society (RDS), Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, Ireland.

Who Attends Web Summit?
Last year, 22,119 attendees came from all over the globe including business leaders from Google, Microsoft, Facebook, Box and over 60% of the Fortune 500. This year, 30,000+ people interested in new ideas that are changing our daily lives will meet and learn from the people shaping the future of the world, faster and further than any generation in history.

How Do I Get Tickets?

Tickets for Web Summit 2015 are SOLD OUT.