Features / Sector spotlight
Fostering next generation of animation talent
Next Gen Skills Academy is an industry-led education initiative to develop the next generation of talent for the games, animation and VFX industries.
Next Gen recently announced £6.5m of investment from both industry and government through the UK Commission for Employment and Skills and a consortium of 120 companies and industry partners including Double Negative, Framestore, Moving Picture Company, Pinewood Studios, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe and Ubisoft Reflections.
As part of its development programme, Next Gen took the decision to pilot its development initiatives here in Bristol.
In a recent Tech Nation report, Bristol was reported as contributing to the largest digital cluster outside London. It is recognised that the creative and digital sectors in Bristol are particularly vibrant, particularly regarding animation and the wide and varied platforms and applications with which it is employed.
Next Gen’s Pete Levy says: “Having worked within the animation sector in Bristol I fully appreciate the talent, resources and potential the city has to offer. In order to support and encourage emerging talent in Bristol, Next Gen are proud to be supporting this year’s Encounters Short Film and Animation Festival. We will be curating several animation events as well as sponsoring this years Best of British Animation awards.”
Next Gen are also collaborating with a number of partner organisations to provide visibility and new access route for young people in the city into animation, games and VFX training and career opportunities.
For more information, visit www.nextgenskillsacademy.com