STUNNING visual effects and talks from internationally renowned animators took centre stage at the BIC yesterday.

Students and industry experts have come from around the world to participate in BFX – Bournemouth’s Visual Effects, Computer Games and Animation Festival.

Festival director Sofronis Efstathiou said he hoped the event would prove inspirational to those who attend as well an opportunity for the town’s art students to network and make decisions about their future.

“Bournemouth Univers-ity and Arts University Bournemouth students have been going onto work for the best in the world,” he added.

“It is a great opportunity for them to meet people in the industry who are at the very top of their game.”

Presentations by Greg Fisher, global head of animation at the Moving Picture Company, and his colleague Jo Plaete, a crowd simulation technical director, attracted hundreds into the BIC’s Tregonwell Hall yesterday.

They spoke about their involvement in the making of hit films such as Guardians of the Galaxy before a screening of fantasy adventure Maleficent.

Mark Hewitt, 35, who is beginning an MA in animation at Bournemouth University this week, was among those attending the festival and heaped praise on the organisers for attracting such high calibre guests.

He said: “Bournemouth is the best place in the country to study animation and this is an amazing opportunity to speak to people from the industry and get guidance.”

The festival runs until Sunday, with a plethora of free workshops and presentations for everybody in the community to attend.

Visit bfxfestival.com