SOME of the biggest names in the world of film visual effects, animation and video games will descend on Bournemouth for the fifth year in a row.

The BFX Festival has previously treated delegates to behind the scenes footage from such films as Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Interstellar, The Lego Movie and Moana.

It brings the best of the visual effects, animation and gaming worlds to Bournemouth, whose two universities supply the industries with bright graduates.

Last year, Bournemouth University graduate Mark Ardington returned with the Oscar he won for the visual effects on Ex Machina.

This year’s festival will be held at the BIC from October 2-8. The films set to feature will be announced shortly.

Festival director Sofronis Efstathiou said: “This year will be our fifth anniversary, so this is going to be a very special year.

“We have involvement from the biggest studios in the world, superstars of the visual effects, games and computer visualisation industries keen to share their work and give insights into some of the biggest and best projects in the last year. There will be something for everyone, with a real behind-the-scenes look at the work that goes into creating a top Hollywood blockbuster, triple AAA game, award winning commercial or indie title.”

Last year, more than 1,000 delegates, including students, graduates, industry professionals and local residents came to take part in hands-on activities, industry talks and workshops. Companies such as Disney, Sony, Pixar and Framestore took part.

This year’s event will see new subjects such as sound production and cinematography added to the film-making skills under discussion.

The festival will end with a family weekend, where children and adults can try their hand at doing their own animations, watch films and engage with the visual effects industry.

Mr Efstathiou said: “If you have been to BFX before then you know we go to great lengths to showcase and represent the finest work from around the world, from some of the world’s biggest names – this year will be no different.”

The festival will also include a competition, the Creative Vision Award, a competition for students with accountancy firm Kingston Smith. Teams will compete to create a bespoke animated short for one of two charities, Re-cycle and Debra.

Details of the festival will be at bfxfestival.com, with tickets on sale in June.