VIEW Conference 2026 “Trailblazer” Award-Winners
Skwigly
In recognition of women’s work, VIEW Conference is proud to celebrate the unique stories of women from around the world, with this brand new set of industry awards.
The VIEW Conference “Trailblazer” Award shines a spotlight on a select group of professionals who have made an outstanding contribution to the motion picture industry. The award recognizes the achievements not only of outstanding creative directors and artists, but also those active in the fields of public relations and politics, who dedicate themselves to the forging of meaningful partnerships within the arts and beyond.
This year’s recipients of a VIEW Conference Trailblazer Award are:
- Maggie Kang – Oscar-winning director of Netflix and Sony Pictures Animation’s “KPop Demon Hunters”
- Yvett Merino – Oscar-winning producer of Disney’s “Encanto” and “Zootopia 2”
- Jinko Gotoh – Oscar-nominated producer, vice-president of Women in Animation
- Autumn Durald Arkapaw, ASC – Oscar-winning cinematographer of Warner Bros. Pictures’ “Sinners”
- Ruth De Jong – Oscar-nominated production designer of Universal Pictures’ “The Odyssey”
- Alice Brooks, ASC – cinematographer of Universal Pictures’ “Wicked: For Good”
- Danielle Feinberg – award-winning cinematographer and VFX supervisor of Disney and Pixar’s “Coco” and “Turning Red”
- Tara DeMarco – VFX supervisor of Netflix and Upside Down Pictures’ “The Boroughs”
- Amy Astley – senior vice president of publicity/communications, creative legacy and brand strategy at Walt Disney Animation Studios
- Julie Tustin – public relations, awards and talent relations at Netflix
- Emilie Erskine – president of Erskine Public Relations
- José Urso – chief of staff, Office of the Governor
- Patrizia Polliotto – secretary general, CRT Foundation
- Rochele Gloor – assistant director for Innovation Technologies, MFA Computer Arts, School of Visual Arts
- Brooke Keesling – animation development & talent development, character animation instructor at CalArts