Impact of Animex Festival will help inspire the next generation
Thousands of people have been inspired by this year’s Animex international festival of animation, VFX and computer games, with the impact delivering huge benefits to school children, students and visitors from around the world.
From delighted youngsters discovering how some of their favourite animated characters are created, to students receiving help to join the next generation of animation and games creators, Animex delivers inspiration and impact to those who join the wide array of events and activities.
Animex 2023 was held from 6 to 10 November and enjoyed by thousands of animation, VFX and gaming fans, future professionals and experts already working in these creative industries.
Over five days, almost 1,500 Animex visitor passes were issued for activities at Middlesbrough Town Hall and the University campus. A further 155 tickets were sold for workshops run by industry professionals, and a total of 23 guest speaker talks were presented as part of the main programme, with speakers also delivering a range of free seminars.
Around 200 Teesside University students received portfolio reviews from industry professionals, who offered feedback and advice. In addition,168 college students visited Animex, either as individuals or with their own college.
Among them was a games student from Leeds City College, who said: “It has been an absolute blast and I have so much to take away from it because of the wonderful speakers. What a life changing day.”
There was plenty for younger Animex visitors too, with 247 schoolchildren from eight primary schools hearing from Curtis Jobling, creator of children’s favourites such as Bob the Builder, and Ra-Ra the Noisy Lion. Curtis spoke about his work and becoming a writer.
Around 100 schoolchildren from four primary schools who took part in Animexperience stop-motion workshops were also invited with their parents and carers to attend a special Red Carpet screening, with guest stars Maret Ward from Double Eleven, and Rob Dressel, Director of Cinematography with Disney.
Rob said: “I had a blast hanging with all those kids and getting to see their work. The time after with all the photos was surreal but so much fun. It’s a truly wonderful programme that you all have created. I’m so glad to have been a part of it and if I’m ever back at Animex, I would love to do it again.”
It’s a truly wonderful programme that you all have created. I’m so glad to have been a part of it and if I’m ever back at Animex, I would love to do it again.
In addition, around 2,000 schoolchildren took part in Animex Academy Live Online held earlier in the year. Participants took part from schools across the country, with one group of children based in North Carolina in America.
There were 820 visitors to the Animex Exhibition, held at Pineapple Black in Middlesbrough, showcasing a twenty year retrospective featuring artwork provided by a range of well-known animators and studios.
Animex Screen and Awards sold out almost as soon as the tickets went on sale, with huge interest in the community screenings. A number of talks were also live streamed to Teesside University London and will also be available to watch again to ticketholders via AnimexPlayer.
Industry experts speaking at Animex also included many Teesside University graduates. Among them this year was BA (Hons) Computer Games Animation graduate Matthew Lake, now working as a Technical Animator at Fallen Leaf, who said: “I started coming to this event when I was 16, near a decade ago, and some of the talks back then really inspired me to become a games developer and animator.”
Dr Joanne Noble, Principal Lecturer (External Events), in the University’s School of Computing, Engineering & Digital Technologies, said: “It’s amazing to think that Animex will mark its 25th anniversary next year, having continued to attract a diverse audience of thousands for almost a quarter of a century, from animation, VFX and gaming fans, to future professionals and experts who have worked on some of the biggest names in animation and games.”
Siobhan Fenton, Associate Dean (Enterprise and Business Engagement), in the University’s School of Computing, Engineering & Digital Technologies, said: “We are extremely proud of our international reputation for animation, VFX and computer games, along with the continued success of Animex.
“It is this success which continues to allow us to attract high calibre speakers from the world’s biggest studios, who can share expertise and inspire the next generation of professionals with behind-the-scenes insight, mentoring and career advice.”