Illumination’s <i>Migration</i> director Benjamin Renner presenting live on stage at VIEW Conference 2023
September 19, 2023

Illumination’s Migration director Benjamin Renner presenting live on stage at VIEW Conference 2023

Benjamin Renner, director of Illumination/Universal Pictures’ upcoming animated feature “Migration,” will appear live on stage at the 2023 VIEW Conference
In this exclusive Italian premiere event, Renner will thrill the VIEW Conference audience with a revealing and inspirational presentation about the latest animated feature from Illumination, creators of blockbuster films including The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Minions, Despicable Me, Sing, and The Secret Life of Pets. Migration will be released in US theatres on December 22, 2023.



“It is an honor to welcome Benjamin Renner to our live stage at VIEW Conference 2023,” says Conference Director Dr. Maria Elena Gutierrez. “This Italian premiere event will give our global audience an exclusive preview of this highly anticipated movie, which enjoys its theatrical release this coming holiday season. Migration looks incredible, and I cannot wait to hear what Benjamin has to say about the creative journey he went on to bring it to the screen.”

An English speaking event, VIEW Conference 2023 is taking place from October 15-20 in the beautiful baroque city of Torino, Italy. Attending the event in person guarantees an unrivaled opportunity for people to soak up the atmosphere and meet their heroes and mentors. Meanwhile, full online access enables a global audience to enjoy the conference via exclusive livestream. 



The international VIEW Conference brings together industry professionals, thought leaders, students and enthusiasts not only to share and celebrate the latest achievements in animation, VFX, and games, but also to share their visions of the future. 

The conference’s vibrant and inclusive atmosphere is designed to enlighten and inspire, with an extensive live program of talks, presentations, workshops and masterclasses embracing cutting-edge thinking on such diverse topics as storytelling, virtual production, computer graphics, interactive & immersive media, VR/AR/mixed reality and the metaverse, artificial intelligence, real-time rendering and much more.

Director Benjamin Renner, who helmed Migration with co-director Guylo Homsy, will appear in person at VIEW Conference 2023 with a dazzling presentation about the film, described by Illumination as “a visual spectacle unlike any in Illumination’s acclaimed history, featuring elevated, expressionist artistry and Illumination’s signature subversive humor and authentic heart, unforgettable characters and joyful soundtrack.” Renner’s previous animated features include the Oscar®-nominated filmmaker of Ernest & Celestin and The Big Bad Fox and Other Tales.



Migration begins with the Mallard family in a bit of rut. While dad Mack is content to keep his family safe paddling around their New England pond forever, mom Pam is eager to shake things up and show their kids—teen son Dax and duckling daughter Gwen—the whole wide world. After a migrating duck family alights on their pond with thrilling tales of far-flung places, Pam persuades Mack to embark on a family trip, via New York City, to tropical Jamaica. 

As the Mallards make their way South for the winter, their well-laid plans quickly go awry. The experience will inspire them to expand their horizons, open themselves up to new friends and accomplish more than they ever thought possible, while teaching them more about each other—and themselves—than they ever imagined. The film’s award-winning voice talent includes Kumail Nanjiani, Elizabeth Banks, Awkwafina, Carol Kane and Danny DeVito. Migration is written by Emmy Award winner Mike White and produced by Illumination Founder and CEO Chris Meledandri.

More about the VIEW Conference: https://www.viewconference.it


Images courtesy of Illumination Entertainment and Universal Studios