--- title: "The Hollywood Reporter's Animation Power List event features industry heavyweights" url: https://noti.group/the-hollywood-reporter-s-animation-power-list-event-features-industry/ language: en publisher: "Noti Group" section: "Entertainment" published: 2026-10-17T15:00:00.000Z updated: 2026-10-17T19:32:48.080Z id: f34a45f8-0c52-4e9f-b745-3b4dd2770389 source: "The Hollywood Reporter https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/simpsons-bosses-show-go-out-powerful-animation-breakfast-1236733896/" attribution: "Link to https://noti.group/the-hollywood-reporter-s-animation-power-list-event-features-industry/ and name Noti Group when you quote or summarize this story." --- # The Hollywood Reporter's Animation Power List event features industry heavyweights A gathering of animation industry heavyweights took place at Spago Beverly Hills as part of The Hollywood Reporter's inaugural Animation Power List event, featuring a keynote conversation with Matt Groening and showrunner Matt Selman. A gathering of animation industry heavyweights took place at Spago Beverly Hills on Friday as part of The Hollywood Reporter's inaugural Animation Power List event. The event, sponsored by Paramount Animation, Warner Bros. Animation, Warner Bros. Pictures Animation and ASIFA, kicked off with a social hour where attendees mingled over cocktails before the main program began. A keynote conversation featuring The Simpsons creator Matt Groening and showrunner Matt Selman was moderated by THR's Scott Roxborough. The iconic series has recently reached an impressive milestone of over 800 episodes, a testament to its enduring popularity. Showrunner Matt Selman reflected on his time working on the show, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to have spent 30 years working with the cast and crew, even during challenging periods. Selman's comments were laced with humor as he joked about colleagues who left the series, saying that they often regret their decision, with some notable exceptions. The Simpsons' creative team has been known for their uncanny ability to predict future events, often incorporating these predictions into their episodes. Matt Groening and Sam Selman were in high spirits as they teased a possible future scenario where live executions would be streamed online, but with a twist - animators would add comedic sound effects like gongs and sad trombones. Groening also touched on the upcoming release of The Simpsons Movie 2, which is set to hit screens 20 years after the first film. He revealed that the team still hasn't fully recovered from the exhaustion they experienced during the production of the first movie, citing the same crew and tight deadlines as major contributors to their fatigue. The long gap between films has given the team a chance to recharge and reflect on their experience. Groening noted that the process was so draining that it's taken them two decades to recover and regain their energy, allowing them to approach the sequel with renewed enthusiasm. Selman shared his own thoughts on the future of The Simpsons, expressing a desire for the show to continue indefinitely but without him at the helm. He hopes that one day the series will be handed over to fresh talent, ensuring its continued success and evolution as a beloved institution in popular culture. The Simpsons' creative team is known for their irreverent humor, but when it comes to discussing the show's eventual end, they're surprisingly coy. When asked about wrapping up the series, Matt Groening's response was characteristically deadpan: "No end in sight." He quipped that this is how he and his colleagues want to go out, by surprise. The room erupted into laughter at the dry wit of the Simpsons' creator. The conversation turned to another animated film, Tangles, which premiered at Cannes earlier this year. This drama follows a young woman's return to her conservative hometown after her mother is diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Voice cast members Abbi Jacobson and Samira Wiley joined the discussion, highlighting the unique approach taken in recording their lines. The actors praised the benefits of recording together, with Wiley noting that it allowed for genuine chemistry between co-stars to shine through. Jacobson echoed this sentiment, recalling a particularly memorable experience sharing a booth with Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Bryan Cranston. The conversation at THR's Most Powerful People in Animation Breakfast continued to focus on Alzheimer's awareness, a topic that resonates deeply for many industry professionals. Margie Cohn of DreamWorks Animation and Carolyn Roach from Skydance Animation were among those present, engaged in discussions about the importance of storytelling in tackling tough subjects like this one. Kristin Lowe of DreamWorks Animation was also in attendance, alongside Peter Girardi and Matt Matzkin from Warner Bros. Animation, as well as directors Januel Mercado and Joel Crawford from Forgotten Island. The group's collective expertise and experience in animation were on full display, as they shared their insights on the latest trends and challenges in the industry. The diverse gathering of animators, producers, and industry experts concluded with a sense of hope and optimism for the future of animation. With Alzheimer's awareness being a notable focus, it is clear that the show will be remembered not just for its entertainment value but also for its impact on society, leaving a lasting legacy in the world of animation. --- Source: [The Hollywood Reporter](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/simpsons-bosses-show-go-out-powerful-animation-breakfast-1236733896/) Published by Noti Group: https://noti.group/the-hollywood-reporter-s-animation-power-list-event-features-industry/