Jinko Gotoh
Jinko Gotoh is a BAFTA-winning and Oscar-nominated producer and consultant in the animation industry. She is renowned for her dedication to championing diverse creative talent and embracing emerging technologies and storytelling techniques. Born in Japan, Jinko's passion for animation began early, inspired by a viewing of Lady and the Tramp and a life-changing encounter with Astroboy creator Osamu Tezuka. That spark led to a career marked by innovation and global influence. Her impressive producing credits include the Oscar-nominated and BAFTA-winning Klaus, The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part, The Little Prince, Oscar-nominated The Illusionist, 9, and the Oscar-winning Finding Nemo. Jinko launched her feature animation career as a CGI producer on Space Jam and later served as Director of Digital Production at Walt Disney Feature Animation, where she helped guide the studio's transition to CGI. Her work there included films like Dinosaur and projects under Disney's Secret Lab division. After leaving Pixar in 2003, she continued to work globally on studio and independent productions. A passionate advocate for equity and representation, Jinko is the Vice President of Women in Animation and a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, where she contributes to diversity and inclusion efforts across several committees. She also co-chairs the Producers Guild of America's Animation and VFX Committee. She is a founding board member of the Symphonic Jazz Orchestra, which brings music education to underserved K–4 classrooms. Academically, Jinko holds a Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics and an MFA in Film from Columbia University. In 2021, she returned to her alma mater with Julie Ann Crommett to co-create and teach Ethics: Inclusive Storytelling, a required MFA course.