Manchester Animation Festival

Leanne Loughran is a seasoned talent acquisition leader with over 18 years of experience in the VFX and animation industries. As Manager of Talent Acquisition at Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) London, she leads recruitment for high-profile projects like Ultraman: Rising, ABBA Voyage, and Star Wars IP.
Prior to ILM, Leanne held key recruitment roles at Outpost VFX and Aardman Animations, sourcing top talent for major film and commercial projects. As the previous Co-Founder and Creative Director of The White Balance, an architectural visualization and animation studio, she gained a unique understanding of both creative and operational demands. Leanne is recognised for her strategic leadership and dedication to enabling diverse talent, playing a pivotal role in shaping recruitment strategies for some of the industry’s biggest productions. Leanne splits her time between London and Bournemouth, balancing her professional life with being a proud mother to her twins.