As the Bristol studio behind 'Wallace & Gromit' and 'Shaun the Sheep' turns 50, employee-owned Aardman is betting that handmade animation, flexible partnerships and a Halloween-ready third Shaun feature can sustain its independence.

Matt Groening and Matt Selman sat down for a keynote conversation at the event, which also featured a chat with 'Tangles' stars Abbi Jacobson and Samira Wiley.

Other participants at the Sunday event in Los Angeles include 'Tangles' director Leah Nelson, 'Hexed' director Fawn Veerasunthorn, 'In Waves' director Phuong Mai Nguyen, 'Iron Boy' director Louis Clichy and 'Forgotten Island' director Joel Crawford.