Bournemouth to host new BFX festival (From Bournemouth Echo)

Bournemouth to host new BFX festival

1:00pm Wednesday 21st November 2012 in News By Julie Magee

BOURNEMOUTH will host a new festival next autumn showcasing British talent in the animation and visual effects industry.

During the summer months students from across the country will put their creative skills to the test with competition winners securing a six-week stint at a leading UK film and visual effects studio.

As well as an awards ceremony there will also be public screenings of the best of British visual effects, workshops, a conference and exhibition.

The BFX festival, which will be held from September 25 until September 29 and is set to become an annual event, is being organised by Bournemouth University’s award-winning National Centre for Computer Animation and the Faculty of Media and Performance at the Arts University College Bournemouth.

More than 100 business and education representatives attended a launch ceremony at Bournemouth Pavilion on Tuesday night.

Project director Peter Truckel said: “The UK is well known for its high profile, award winning work on features, commercials and games. But BFX will be different from other festivals because as well as appealing to professionals and people in higher education it will focus on attracting an audience of pre-GCSE students, highlighting the opportunities available to young people who choose to follow that particular career path.

“Graduates from both universities are regularly employed by the world’s top studies and they’ve contributed to some of the most successful movies, games and TV shows in recent years so the Bournemouth pedigree is already beyond doubt.”

Bournemouth University vice chancellor Professor John Vinney said: “The festival will really help to reinforce Bournemouth as a centre of excellence for animation and visual effects. It is also a great opportunity for the two universities to work together.”

Cllr Rod Cooper, portfolio holder for tourism, leisure and culture, who also attended the launch, told the Daily Echo: “It’s fantastic news for Bournemouth; the festival will complement our film festival.”

To find out more visit bfxfestival.com

BFX Launch from VFX HUB on Vimeo.