Skip to Main Content

Blogs

  • 18 May 2023 by DigiBC


    Are you looking for a unique and creative technology-focused summer camp for your teenager? 
    The Centre for Digital Media’s Summer Bootcamps are two-week intensive camps designed for high school students (15-18 yrs old) with artistic or technical interests who want to explore educational and career opportunities in the video game design and immersive technologies industries.
     

    Game Design Bootcamp
    Extended Reality Bootcamp

    3D Asset Creation Bootcamp

    July 31 – August 11, 2023
    Monday to Friday, 9am-3pm
    Location: Vancouver

     
    CLICK HERE TO APPLY

    Deadline: June 2, 2023

     

  • 03 May 2023 by DigiBC


    The GAmes for Rehabilitation DEsign Nexus (GARDEN) project is conducting a study to develop a conceptual framework for designing rehabilitation games. They are currently looking to recruit a diverse group of participants (end-users, game designers & developers, rehabilitation experts) who are enthusiastic about the idea of creating games specifically as therapy to help them refine the framework. 


    What is the purpose of this study?
    The purpose of this study is to refine GARDEN Framework with a broad panel of experts in rehabilitation, game design, and end-users of games for rehabilitation through an online consensus process. The goal is to ensure the GARDEN Framework is a clear, meaningful, and useful tool for designing and communicating among stakeholders of rehabilitation games.


    Who are they looking for?

    • Video game designers and developers

    • People who have used video games for managing or improving health

    • Rehabilitation experts (physical and occupational therapists, rehabilitation researchers, speech therapists)


    What does participation look like?

    • The study will begin May 15 and take between 3-5 months
    • Commit to 1-1.5 hours/month for the duration of the study
    • Participants will take part in a process to build consensus that involves watching a video overview of the draft framework that explains the ideas and structure, followed by several rounds of feedback from yourself and revisions by the research team
    • Your feedback will involve an online survey with items (e.g. agree/disagree) and open-ended questions (e.g. how would you clarify this)
    • Participants will receive a $30 gift card for each survey they complete (2-4 total)

     

    Registration Info

     


  • 28 Apr 2023 by DigiBC

    Thank you to Invest Vancouver for their support as the founding sponsor of the Signals creative technology showcase, and for this story highlighting our sector as a key economic driver in the region. Presented by DigiBC and the Greater Vancouver International Film Festival Society, Signals is a unique interactive exhibition that celebrates the creative power, playfulness, and storytelling potential of new technologies. In its first edition, Signals spotlighted BC’s wealth of talent in a multi-day showcase of Canadian and Indigenous works.

     

     

    Cutting-edge creative technology. Gripping stories. Canadian and Indigenous talent.
    Creativity and tech innovation take form here.

     

  • 20 Apr 2023 by DigiBC

    To cap off Creative Technology Day, we’d like to highlight and acknowledge a few of the major awards and accolades that some of our members have received within the last year!

    Maclean’s Power List 2023
    Top 10 Hollywood North Stars: Sharon Taylor (COO, Animal Logic)
    Top 10 Gaming Tycoons: Shyang Kong (Co-founder, SkyBox Labs)  

    The BIV BC500 List 2022
    Film & Television: Michelle Grady (Sony Pictures Imageworks)
    Digital Media: Natali Altshuler (EA SPORTS & RACING), Loc Dao (DigiBC), Justin Dowdeswell (Relic), Amir Nasrabadi (Disney Animation), Josh Nilson (East Side Games), Ryan Peterson (Unity Technologies), Jennifer Twiner McCarron (Atomic Cartoons / Thunderbird), Kay Wong-Alafriz (Kabam)

    East Side Games
    • BC Export Award: Advancing Technology and Innovation
    • Globe and Mail: Canada's Top Growing Companies 2022 (#172)
    • Josh Nilson (GM & Co-founder): Person of the Year (Technology Impact Awards)

    Atomic Cartoons
    • BC Export Award: Digital and Media Entertainment
    • NAMIC Vision Award: Animation (Molly of Denali)
    • BC Reconciliation Award (Molly of Denali)

    Loc Dao (Executive Director, DigiBC)
    • Vancouver Magazine's 2023 Power 50 List (#48)

    DNEG // Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power (Udûn)
    • Outstanding Visual Effects in a Photoreal Episode (VES Awards)

    Relic Entertainment
    • GamesIndustry.biz Best Places to Work Canada 2022: Best Large Company (200+)
    • GamesIndustry.biz Best Places to Work Canada 2022: Health & Wellbeing Award

    Image Engine // The Book of Boba Fett
    • Outstanding Special Visual Effects in a Season or a Movie (Emmy Awards)

    Scanline VFX // Godzilla vs. Kong
    • Best Film Visual Effects (Saturn Awards)

    Mainframe Studios
    • Outstanding Sound Mixing and Sound Editing for a Preschool Animated Program (Children's & Family Emmy Awards) // Octonauts & the Ring of Fire
    • Best Holiday or Special Episode: Preschool Programming (Kidscreen Awards) // Madagascar: A Little Wild - “Holiday Goose Chase”

    WildBrain Studios
    • Outstanding Non-Fiction Program (Children's & Family Emmy Awards) // Who Are You, Charlie Brown?
    • Best Inclusivity: Tweens/Teens Programming (Kidscreen Awards) // The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder
    Best Holiday or Special Episode: Kids Programming (Kidscreen Awards) // Snoopy Presents: To Mom (and Dad), With Love

  • 21 Mar 2023 by DigiBC


    Congratulations to all the B.C. studios that received nominations for this year’s Canadian Game Awards, and we look forward to watching the broadcast when they announce the winners. The award shows take place in Toronto on April 20-21 and will also be streamed live on Twitch.

     

    CLICK TO SEE FULL LIST OF NOMINEES

    CGA TWITCH CHANNEL



    Canadian Game Awards - B.C. Nominees

    Best Art Direction
    Mario Strikers: Battle League – Next Level Games
    I Was a Teenage Exocolonist – Northway Games


    Best Audio Design
    FIFA 2023 – EA Sports / Electronic Arts

    Best Narrative
    I Was a Teenage Exocolonist – Northway Games
    Hardspace: Shipbreaker – Blackbird Interactive
    Glitchhikers: The Spaces Between – Silverstring Media Inc.
    The Chant – Brass Token


    Best Score / Soundtrack
    FIFA 2023 – EA Sports / Electronic Arts


    Best Mobile Game
    Disney Mirrorverse – Kabam
    Yeager: Hunter Legend – I Got Games (IGG)


    Best Content Creator
    Linus Tech Tips (Ladner, BC)


    Best Esports Event

    Vancouver Battle Royale

     


    Canadian Indie Game Awards - B.C. Nominees

    Best Art Direction
    I Was a Teenage Exocolonist – Northway Games
    Glitchhikers: The Spaces Between – Silverstring Media Inc.

    Best Audio Design
    Hardspace: Shipbreaker – Blackbird Interactive
    Melatonin – Half Asleep Games

    Best Game Design
    The Last Hero of Nostalgaia – Over The Moon Games

    Best Narrative
    I Was a Teenage Exocolonist – Northway Games
    Hardspace: Shipbreaker – Blackbird Interactive
    Glitchhikers: The Spaces Between – Silverstring Media Inc.
    The Chant – Brass Token

    Best Score / Soundtrack
    Hardspace: Shipbreaker – Blackbird Interactive
    Glitchhikers: The Spaces Between – Silverstring Media Inc.

    Best Technology
    Hardspace: Shipbreaker – Blackbird Interactive
    The Chant – Brass Token

    Best Debut Indie Game
    Hardspace: Shipbreaker – Blackbird Interactive
    Glitchhikers: The Spaces Between – Silverstring Media Inc.
    The Chant – Brass Token

    Best Mobile / Casual Game
    Melatonin – Half Asleep Games

    Best PC Game
    Hardspace: Shipbreaker – Blackbird Interactive

    Indie Game of the Year
    Hardspace: Shipbreaker – Blackbird Interactive

     

    Indie Studio of the Year
    Blackbird Interactive
    Silverstring Media Inc.
     

     

  • 20 Mar 2023 by DigiBC

    We'd like to congratulate DigiBC board members Sharon Taylor (COO, Animal Logic) and Shyang Kong (Co-founder, SkyBox Labs) for being named in the Maclean’s Power List 2023. This list recognizes the top 100 Canadians who are shaping the country. It's a cohort of changemakers whose ideas and inventions are forging new industries and reinventing old ones.

    ◾ Sharon Taylor: Top 10 Hollywood North Stars

    The Canadian performers, creators and executives shaking up the industry



    ◾ Shyang Kong: Top 10 Gaming Tycoons

    These tech whizzes are ensuring the revolution will be gamified—and Canadian


     

    CLICK TO SEE FULL LIST

     

  • 17 Mar 2023 by DigiBC

    The R2R Film Festival for Youth inspires and equips youth to analyze, appreciate, explore, create, and share independent media. This year’s event takes place from March 28 to April 6 and will include elementary school programs, high school programs, online shorts, a Sunday Funday and an Opening Film & Party. The three animated features and two short films being shown at the festival include:
     

    GOODBYE, DON GLEES! 
    Saturday, April 1 - 6:30PM at VIFF Centre
    Director: Atsuko Ishizuka. In Japanese with English subtitles 

    Teen misfits Roma, Toto, and Drop call themselves the “Don Glees,” an informal name for their backyard adventures. One day, the trio fear they may be blamed for a nearby forest fire and set off into the woods to prove their innocence.  Director Atsuko Ishizuka delivers her first original feature film, and what a remarkable anime it is! With luminescent hand-drawn work and lush backdrops, Goodbye, Don Glees! is a tender coming-of-age story about the fearlessness of being young and the bittersweet journey of self-discovery. 


    THE HOUSE OF THE LOST ON THE CAPE  
    Saturday, April 1 - 4:00PM at VIFF Centre
    (
    岬のマヨイガDirector: Shinya Kawatsura. Dubbed in English 

    Ten years after Tohoku, Japan’s Great East Earthquake, in which many people lost their lives and homes, director Shinya Kawatsura adapted a story from a Sachiko Kashiwaba novel that pays tribute to the area and its people. Seventeen-year-old Yui is consumed by anger, and eight-year-old Hiyori has not spoken since being separated from her family. Both girls find themselves in a temporary shelter confronted by an unassuming elderly woman who has suspiciously taken an interest in their plight. A heart-warming story of new beginnings, personal growth and childhood wonder. 


    New Gods: Yang Jian
    Saturday April 1 @ 8:30PM.  VIFF Centre
    (China) Director: Ji Zhao. In Mandarin with English subtitles

    Thirteen years after Yang Jian (known to some as Erlang Shen) imprisoned his sister beneath a mountain, the once powerful god now scrapes by as a penniless bounty hunter. As Yang Jian confronts his past, he must face a host of dangerous vigilantes seeking the same treasure with the power to alter the balance of their worlds. This latest entry in the New Gods universe from Light Chaser Animation (White Snake, New Gods: Nezha Reborn) features awe-inspiring action sequences set against breathtaking and wildly imaginative environments. Combining ancient lore with dazzling animation, New Gods: Yang Jian is a timeless adventure of epic proportions featuring one of China’s legendary mythic figures

     

    Animated Short Films
    Sunday Fun Day: April 2 at the Roundhouse
    Includes pancake breakfast from 9:30–11am

    Shorty Short Shorts – Mixed Animation @ 10:00am
    Inner & Outer Animated Worlds @ 11:15am
    Family Matters @12:30pm


     

  • 14 Mar 2023 by DigiBC

    Is your company looking to hire for co-op or new grad roles? Northeastern University Vancouver has a call for companies to participate in their upcoming career fair on March 30. Employers will have booths to network and engage in meaningful conversations with NU students, and they anticipate having over 200 attendees.

    Most students are searching for co-op opportunities starting in spring and fall 2023, as well as winter 2024. Additionally, graduates of 2023 will be seeking permanent roles at junior and intermediate levels. Attending students will be from the following programs:

    • Masters of Science in Computer Science
    • Masters of Professional Studies in Analytics
    • Masters of Science in Data Analytics Engineering Analytics
    • Masters of Science in Information Design and Data Visualization
       

    Thursday, March 30 @ 12-3pm
    Deloitte Summit Building, 14th Floor, 410 West Georgia St
    Registration is free of charge and includes an exhibitor table, wifi, power access, and refreshments. Parking and display monitors are available by request.
     

    CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

     

  • 10 Mar 2023 by DigiBC

    The Corporate Finance Stakeholder Forum gives you the chance to advise the BC Securities Commission on policy initiatives, capital market trends, and other issues affecting reporting and non-reporting issuers and investment funds. It is is really a good opportunity to influence BCSC's policy making, and they encourage applications from general investors and investor advocates, underwriters, lawyers, academics, and other securities market participants and stakeholders.  The Forum will:

    foster continuing communication between Corporate Finance staff and stakeholders
    advise on the effectiveness of Corporate Finance initiatives
    keep staff up-to-date on market participant views, current business practices and emerging trends as a means to support practical, efficient and cost-effective regulation

    They are looking for up to 25 members to serve for a three-year term. Participation will be a mix
    of in-person meetings and consultations by video conference or email depending on the issue or type of feedback sought. The time commitment will vary but will be no more than two hours each quarter.

    The Corporate Finance division protects investors and fosters capital raising by: reviewing
    public offerings and continuous disclosure required to be prepared by issuers, including investment funds; monitoring exempt market activity; collaborating with Canada’s other securities regulators in rule and policy development; monitoring insider reporting; responding to legal and regulatory issues arising in takeover bids; and monitoring the development of accounting and auditing standards.

    If you are interested in participating in the Forum, please send your resume to the following
    persons listed below by no later than March 22, 2023. They encourage applications from issuer executives, investors and investor advocates, underwriters, lawyers, accountants, academics, geologists and other securities market participants and stakeholders.

    Larissa M. Streu
    , Manager, Corporate Disclosure, Corporate Finance
    lstreu@bcsc.bc.ca

    Leslie Rose, Senior Legal Counsel, Legal Services, Corporate Finance
    lrose@bcsc.bc.ca

     

  • 18 Feb 2023 by DigiBC

    BDC recently announced the deployment of a new $30 million financing envelope to deepen its support for Canada’s creative and cultural economy. BDC’s goal is that this financing will have a positive ripple effect on all businesses in these industries. With this financing, the Bank is going one step further in supporting rapidly growing medium-sized businesses in the creative and cultural industries in a variety of key sectors, for example, media and audiovisual, video games, motion picture and sound production, sound recording, and radio and television broadcasting.

    “Canada’s creative and cultural industries have always represented an incredible asset for Canada as a collective expression of our inventiveness and identity,” says Isabelle Hudon, President and CEO of BDC.

    “These industries also stand out for their economic contribution and their growth potential. Eager to tap into this potential, we took a closer look at these industries to pinpoint where and how we could power that growth”, adds Hudon. “Bringing our development role to the next level within the creative and cultural sectors, we can take on more risk and address a gap in the market, while helping high-growth companies become industry leaders both here at home and on the world stage”.

     

    Targeted at rapidly growing medium-sized businesses

    The new financing, which will typically start at $2 million, is specifically targeted at rapidly growing businesses with one of the following three projects in mind: business consolidation, business transition, or the development of original content. This offering complements BDC’s existing advisory services and financial solutions that can quickly meet smaller businesses' needs.

    Knowledge-intensive and based on individual creativity and talent, creative and cultural businesses ensure the continued development of our society, while having significant output on high-value job creation and economic wealth. In 2019, the arts, culture and heritage industries accounted for $57.1 billion in gross domestic product and more than 672,900 direct jobs.


    A valued partnership with Telefilm Canada

    As part of this effort to accelerate growth in the sector, BDC is pleased to partner with Telefilm Canada to identify and develop untapped business potential and make a true difference in the growth plans of the Canadian audiovisual industry. This partnership aims to enhance collaboration and implement joint initiatives such as: developing a financial support referral program, increasing awareness of available financing solutions within the audiovisual industry, and exploring joint financing or advisory programs based on industry needs. It is a perfect example of what BDC wants to accomplish: making sure industries that may have different or unmet needs get increased opportunities to fully achieve their potential and ambitions.

    “Content created by Canadian creators is of exceptional quality and a testament to the world that Canada is a thriving audiovisual hub,” says Francesca Accinelli, Interim Executive Director and CEO, Telefilm Canada. “In order to propel Canadian stories to new heights, it is essential to stimulate capacity building as well as diversify funding sources, particularly with new partnerships outside of our industry. For over 50 years, Telefilm has proven to be an effective manager of public and private funds, which is why we are delighted to be working with BDC to increase support for the Canadian film community”.

    Working in partnership with others to increase support for more entrepreneurs is a cornerstone of BDC’s renewed strategy. Over the next year, BDC will aim to intensify its reach across the creative and cultural industries by forging additional partnerships in different subsectors in support of inclusive growth. Additional offerings will be progressively deployed as BDC deepens its knowledge of these industries’ needs.

    ➡️To learn more about the new financing, visit: BDC's creative and cultural industry web page.

     

     

  • 03 Feb 2023 by DigiBC

    Congratulations to DigiBC's Executive Director Loc Dao for being named (#48) in Vancouver Magazine's 2023 Power 50 List! This is their annual list of the most powerful people in the city that includes politicians, business owners, artists, and activists. This year, they looked at those folks who are shifting the dial in communities all over the city.

    48. Loc Dao, Executive Director, DigiBC
    An original co-founder of NFB/Interactive and CBC Radio 3, Dao continues to make waves where the arts and technology converge. For the Vancouver International Film Festival this year, Dao co-curated the interactive Signals—an exhibition that focused on the potential of creative technologies for storytelling (from holograms to wearable tech), and was the first of its kind for the fest. He’s put Vancouver on the global radar for technically innovative storytelling globally—and Signals, as he has noted, was the chance to celebrate that innovative work in our own backyard.

    CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FULL LIST
     

  • 31 Jan 2023 by DigiBC


    Got an idea? Need a team of innovators and technology experts to help build it? Student innovation projects are the heart of the Master of Digital Media program. In the spring and summer terms, multidisciplinary teams of four to six students take on applied technology-focused projects to develop prototypes or applications from concept to deliverable. Projects can be proposed by client partners spanning various industries, academic and research, not-for-profits, and community organizations.

    Under the guidance of faculty subject matter experts, teammates from diverse backgrounds and disciplines gain hands-on experience working with real-world client partners. All projects adhere to a 12-week project duration following industry-standard development processes.


    • Summer Term (May - August) proposals are due February 28
      

    Questions can be directed to: Susannah Skerl, su_skerl@thecdm.ca


     
     

     

     

  • 27 Jan 2023 by DigiBC

    It's awards season and we'd like to congratulate all of our Animation & VFX member companies that have been nominated at this year's Academy Awards, VES Awards, Annie Awards, Kidscreen Awards, GLAAD Media Awards, BAFTAs, NAACP Image Awards and Producers Guild of America Awards.

    =========
     

    Visual Effects Society Awards
    Winners announced on February 15

    Framestore
    Outstanding VFX Feature // Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore
    Outstanding VFX Feature // Top Gun: Maverick
    Outstanding VFX in a Special Venue Project // Jumanji: The Adventure
    Outstanding VFX in a Special Venue Project // Avengers: Quantum Encounter
    Outstanding Animated Character in a Photoreal Feature – Beast (Lion)
    Outstanding Animated Character in a Photoreal Feature – Slumberland (Pig)
    Outstanding Model in a Photoreal or Animated Project – Top Gun: Maverick
    Outstanding Compositing & Lighting in a Feature – Top Gun: Maverick

    ILM Vancouver

    Outstanding Compositing & Lighting – Episode // The Book of Boba Fett
    Outstanding Virtual Cinematography CG Project // Black Panther: Wakanda Forever 
    Outstanding Virtual Cinematography CG Project // ABBA: Voyage
    Outstanding Created Environment – Episode // Andor


    Disney Animation

    Outstanding Visual Effects in an Animated Feature // Strange World
    Outstanding Effects Simulations in an Animated Feature // Strange World
    Outstanding Animated Character in an Animated Feature // Strange World (Splat)
    Outstanding Created Environment in an Animated Feature // Strange World (The Windy Jungle)


    DNEG

    Outstanding Supporting VFX in a Photoreal Feature // Death on the Nile
    Outstanding Visual Effects in a Photoreal Episode // Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power (Udûn)
    Outstanding Created Environment in a Photoreal Feature // Slumberland: The Wondrous Cuban Hotel Dream
    Outstanding Compositing & Lighting in an Episode // Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power (Udûn; Tirharad Cavalry Charge)

    Scanline VFX

    Outstanding Visual Effects in a Photoreal Episode // Stranger Things 4: The Piggyback
    Outstanding Effects Simulations in an Episode // Stranger Things 4: The Piggyback
    Outstanding Supporting Visual Effects in a Photoreal Feature // The Gray Man


    Image Engine

    Outstanding Effects Simulation in a Photoreal Feature // Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore


    Annie Awards
    Winners announced on February 25


    Disney Animation
    Best TV/Media – Limited Series // BAYMAX!
    Best Writing - TV/Media // BAYMAX!
    Best Direction - TV/Media // BAYMAX!
    Best Storyboarding – Feature // Strange World (Jeff Snow)
    Best Storyboarding – Feature // Strange World (Javier Ledesma Barbolla)


    Sony Pictures Imageworks
    Best Feature // The Sea Beast
    Best FX - Feature // The Sea Beast
    Best Music - Feature // The Sea Beast
    Best Production Design - Feature // The Sea Beast
    Best Editorial - Feature // The Sea Beast
    Best Voice Acting // The Sea Beast (Zaris-Angel Hator)


    DNEG Animation
    Best Character Animation – TV/Media // Entergalactic


    ILM Vancouver
    Best Character Animation – Live Action // Jurassic World Dominion 


    Framestore
    Best Character Animation – Live Action // Beast


    Kidscreen Awards

    Winners announced on February 14
     


    Mainframe Studios
    Best Animated Series (Preschool Programming) // Octanauts: Above and Beyond
    Best Holiday or Special Episode (Preschool Programming) // “Holiday Goose Chase” – Madagascar: A Little Wild

    WildBrain Studios
    Best Holiday or Special Episode (Kids Programming) // It’s the Small Things, Charlie Brown
    Best Holiday or Special Episode (Kids Programming) // Snoopy Presents: For Auld Lang Syne
    Best Inclusivity (Tweens/Teens Programming) // The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder

    Best Holiday or Special Episode (Kids Programming) // Snoopy Presents: To Mom (and Dad), With Love


    GLAAD Media Awards
    Winners announced on March 30 (Los Angeles) & May 13 (NYC)


    Disney Animation
    Outstanding Film – Wide Release - Strange World

    WildBrain Studios
    Outstanding Children’s Programming – Strawberry Shortcake: Berry in the Big City

    Atomic Cartoons
    Outstanding Children’s Programming – Pinecone & Pony

    Bardel Entertainment
    Outstanding Kid’s & Family Programming – Animated – The Dragon Prince


    Academy Awards
    Winners announced on March 12


    Framestore
    Best Visual Effects // Top Gun: Maverick


    Sony Pictures Imageworks
    Best Animated Feature // The Sea Beast


    Cinesite
    Best Visual Effects // Black Panther: Wakanda Forever 

     


    BAFTAs
    Winners announced on February 19

    Scanline VFX
    Best Special Visual Effects // The Batman

    Framestore
    Best Special Visual Effects // Top Gun: Maverick

     


    Producers Guild of America Awards
    Winners announced on February 25

    WildBrain Studios
    Outstanding Children’s Programming // It’s the Small Things, Charlie Brown

     
     


    NAACP Image Awards
    Winners announced on February 25


    Disney Animation
    Outstanding Animated Series // Zootopia+
    Outstanding Short Form Series // Zootopia+


  • 27 Jan 2023 by DigiBC

    The XP Game Developer Summit is back and has leveled up! Connect with industry professionals from around the world to foster collaboration, exchange knowledge, and to create new and unprecedented business-building opportunities that amplify the Canadian video game industry. The two-day event brings together business leaders, developers, artists, educators, and industry organizations with a roster that includes publishers, investors, world-class speakers and subject matter experts, and exclusive panels. The XP Game Developer Summit experience also includes tailored workshops, plus, new for this year, an E-sports Business Lounge, and Canada’s largest Game Showcase.

    Tickets are available at reduced early-bird prices until March 1st. With seven pass options available, early-bird ticket pricing offers a range from $50 for a single-day Game Showcase Pass up to $600 for an all-access VIP Business Pass. Canada’s premiere video game B2B conference is the 2023 don’t miss event for industry professionals! Openings are available for exhibitors, partners, sponsors, and volunteers. See how you can get involved at XPGameSummit.com.

     

    TICKETS & INFO

    Prices range from $50 (single-day pass) up to $600 (All-access VIP)


    Additional Sessions:

    ● How The Rise of AI/ML Will Impact Your Reality
    ● USD: Future of Virtual Collaboration?
    ● A Closer Look at The Latest Features in Unreal Engine
    ● Working With Colleges and Universities On Applied Research
    ● Post Crypto Winter - The Future of Blockchain Gaming
    ● Data-Driven Gameplay Experience Design
    ● Introduction of the Grant You Have The Right To Have


    Confirmed Speakers, Panelists & Industry Thought Leaders:

    ● Mo Agha, CEO of Magmic
    ● Kristian Roberts, Managing Partner at Nordicity
    ● Krista-Lee Malone, Professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison
    ● Pontus Mähler, VP of Global Business Development at Global Top Round
    ● Samuel Bass, Evangelist at Epic Games
    ● Lucie Lalumiere, President at Interactive Ontario
    ● Pejman Mirza-Babaei, Game UX Consultant
    ● Damon Baker, VP Partnership & Portfolio at Kepler Interactive
    ● Carl-Edwin Michel, Founder of Canadian Game Awards
    ● Guillaume Laforge, Software Development Manager on Bifrost at Autodesk
    ● Julien Coll, Research and Innovation Advisor at CDRIN

     

  • 18 Jan 2023 by DigiBC

    New IP optioning pilot program for production companies based in BC.

    The IP BC Pilot Program supports the pre-development of fiction, documentary and animated series, feature films and one-off programs for television and streamer platform networks and for theatrical distribution, via specific funding to enable the optioning of Intellectual Property by BC-based production companies, with an enhanced focus on optioning IP for adaptation that originates in BC or was created by a BC-based creator.

    Examples of pre-existing creative and cultural IP properties include but are not limited to novels, creative non-fiction books, comics, podcasts, songs, magazine articles, video games and stage plays. Ultimately this program will improve the competitive position of BC-based production companies seeking to develop, produce and sell Canadian-owned content in domestic and international markets.

     

    CLICK FOR MORE INFO

    Apply by January 31, 2023


     

  • 18 Jan 2023 by DigiBC

    The Chinatown Storytelling Centre and Vancouver Chinatown Foundation are hosting an intimate evening on January 21 with Trevor Lai, an award-winning author, illustrator, and CEO/Creative Director of UP Studios.

    Trevor will share his fascinating journey as a creative entrepreneur, from growing up in Vancouver and publishing his first book at 17 years old, to founding one of the most successful animation studios in China and directing over 200 episodes of the hit animated series, Super BOOMi. He will also be highlighting his behind-the-scenes process of designing the Canucks Lunar New Year jersey.

     

    CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
    Saturday, January 21 at 4:00-5:00 PM
    Chinatown Storytelling Centre, 168 East Pender St

    $5/person | FREE for members


     

     

  • 16 Dec 2022 by DigiBC


    Season’s greetings from DigiBC! It’s been quite a year with a lot to be thankful for, much to celebrate and some things that still need work. Here at DigiBC, we were able to complete several important projects with the incredible support of our membership and funding partners.

    Highlights include developing seven new creative tech-focused micro-credentials with our partner schools, launching the BC XR Survey and EDI Survey, advising on the FNTC’s Indigenous Digital Equity Strategy, and celebrating our 25th anniversary which involved the launch of Signals. Throughout the year, we also continued to work closely with federal and provincial government partners, advocating for the creative technology sector on topics ranging from tax incentives and immigration to securing funding for subsidized trade missions to various industry conferences. Further details on what we were able to accomplish over the last 12 months can be read in the summary below.

    We have some exciting plans lined up for 2023, beginning with the completion of our year-long project to develop a growth strategy for BC’s creative technology talent pipeline. The Province of BC’s SLMP program is supporting this second phase and the strategy recommends several candidate projects to grow the BC talent pool. We also recently announced the Creative Technology Gallery at Science World, and we will be working with our project partners to see that this first-of-its-kind interactive experience is unveiled next summer.

    In closing, we encourage you, if you're reading this and are not already a DigiBC member or you have let your membership lapse, to sign up or renew. Together we are stronger, so join us as we continue to grow and ensure a healthy future in the province for this fabulous sector.

    Sincerely,

    ~ The DigiBC Team & Board of Directors 

     


    Over the course of 2022, DigiBC continued to work closely with government partners as the voice of the creative technology industry. Our work included specific programs to measure the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, along with plans for industry recovery and rebuilding post-crisis. We also had ongoing consultations with the government to ensure the continuation of the IDMTC which is up for renewal in 2023.

    ►Canadian Interactive Alliance / L ‘Alliance Interactive Canadienne (CIAIC)
    DigiBC is a member of CIAIC which is a not-for-profit trade association that serves as the voice of Canada’s interactive digital media industry. It is made up of eight provincial industry associations from across the country (DigiBC, Digital Alberta, SaskInteractive, New Media Manitoba, La Guilde du Jeu Vidéo du Québec, Interactive Ontario, Videogames PEI & Interactive Society of Nova Scotia). One of the key highlights this year included working with CanExport to secure federal government funding for a trade mission to GDC 2022 that included coaching and subsidized registration.

     


    ►Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) Trade Missions

    • Filmgate (Miami) & Immerse Global Summit (Miami)    
    • Nordic Game Show (Sweden)      
    • Ontario / BC IDM mission to Berlin
    • Devcom / Gamescom 2022



     

    ►DigiBC & A/VFX Education Steering Committee
    The committee strengthened industry relationships with the post-secondary ecosystem across BC which resulted in the development of seven micro-credential programs. We also connected our member companies with funding opportunities for work-integrated-learning (WIL), making it easier to welcome students and new grads into our industry.

    ►Play to Learn

    In collaboration with EverFi, the Play to Learn program continued to be rolled out in schools throughout the province. This is an interactive program designed for exploring STEM careers for middle school students. The curriculum is built to empower learners with the knowledge they'll need to discover their career pathways.

    ►Micro-Credential Programs with Colleges & Universities

    DigiBC partnered with Emily Carr University of Art + Design, University of Victoria, Vancouver Community College, Simon Fraser University, BCIT and Capilano University on seven post-secondary micro-credential programs for the creative technology sector. These were developed to create a bridge between the industry and British Columbians looking to upskill or reskill and take advantage of the opportunities in the sector. All the programs offered subsidized tuition if an applicant self-identifies as being from an underrepresented group in the creative technology industry (Indigenous peoples of Canada, racialized communities, women, LGBTQ2+ community and non-binary people, and people with disabilities). We would like to thank and acknowledge the important role BC’s Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training played in supporting the creative technology sector and underrepresented groups.

    ►EDI Survey
    DigiBC and ICTC’s first ever Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) survey for the sector launched in the summer and wrapped up in September. This confidential survey was open to all DigiBC member companies, and the resulting data will provide greater insight into EDI across our sector, as well as inform policy and program development.

     

    ►XR in BC Survey
    We partnered with Nordicity to launch the XR in BC Survey and the goal of this was to capture and determine the size and health of the industry after two years of pandemic. We gathered input from 36 industry members and organizations to learn about what XR companies in BC are creating and what they perceive the industry’s growth trajectory to look like over the next 1-5 years.
     

    ►Funding & Grant Programs


    DigiCamps for Underrepresented Youth
    Following the success of the 2021 series, we partnered with UTG Academy again to create the DigiCamp: Online Video Game Coding Camp for Girls (ages 8-13) for spring break and the summer. The classes were structured so that students with beginner and intermediate levels of experience could participate in different teams at the same camp. Huge thanks to IUGO, East Side Games and the DigiBC members who contributed to our 2021 EDI budget. We’ll be planning even more camps for next year!
     



    Sector Labour Market Partnership (SLMP) Project 2.0

    Following the publication of DigiBC’s first-of-its-kind report in October 2021, Benchmarking the Creative Technology Sector in British Columbia, we were delighted to announce in April that the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training (AEST) approved our application for funding to continue this important work for the sector. The second phase of the project focuses on strategy development to support key recommendations identified in the study, including increased visibility of creative technology career paths, improved collaboration with post-secondary institutions, development of mentorship programs, and tools and resources to enhance equity, diversity, and inclusion across the sector. DigiBC has partnered with ICTC again to develop this strategy, and we aim for this phase of work to be completed by the end of the year, with a view to implementing programs as early as spring 2023.
     

     

    Creative Technology Gallery at Science World
    In October, Science World announced they received $10 million in funding from the Government of Canada through the Tourism Relief Fund and $1.5 million of this will go towards the development and launch of the Creative Technology Gallery. This exhibit is being done in partnership with DigiBC and is set to be unveiled in 2023. The interactive experience will seek to inspire visitors to see creative technology as a powerful tool for positive change and explore the relationship between science, art, and technology.

     


    DigiBC continued our commitment to prioritize equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in the sector by providing education for member companies and the community, establishing meaningful partnerships with EDI-focused organizations, developing policy and resources, and benchmarking and tracking EDI data for the sector.
     

    ►EDI Steering Committee
    This was established to provide programming and resources to support our members’ EDI policy and commitments. The committee contributed to the Education team’s first ever sectoral EDI Survey. The committee has also formed strategic partnerships to help ensure opportunity for underrepresented groups and is developing a charter and action plan for 2023.

     

    ►Free EDI Memberships for Startups
    Coinciding with Creative Technology Day, we announced we would be offering free memberships to support the advancement of creative technology startups led by the following underrepresented groups: Indigenous peoples of Canada, racialized communities, women, LGBTQ2+ community and non-binary people, and people with disabilities.


    Indigenous Collaborations
    DigiBC’s Executive Director Loc Dao was an advisor on the First Nations Tech Council’s Indigenous Digital Equity Strategy and participated in the talent and tech circles.


     Women in Creative Technology Events
    We continued with supporting the Diversity In Games (formerly WIGeh) Lightning Lunch online event series throughout the year.

     

    The Government of Canada’s 50-30 Challenge 
    DigiBC signed on to this and is one of 1,391 companies participating in the 50-30 Challenge. The goal of the program is to challenge Canadian organizations to increase the representation and inclusion of diverse groups within their workplace, while highlighting the benefits of giving all Canadians a seat at the table.



     

    Membership, Community Building & Events


    We had 19 new members join the association this year, and we added two new membership perks by establishing partnerships with Rhum.hr (HR consulting services) and Bell Mobility (Exclusive Partner Program)


    DigiBC was proud to be a sponsor of the Spark CG Society and the 2022 Vancouver Asian Film Festival


    DigiBC's Executive Director Loc Dao and board members Natali Altshuler (EA SPORTS & RACING) and Kay Wong-Alafriz (Kabam) were named to the BIV BC500 2022 list

     



    ►Games From British Columbia Steam Page

    We officially launched the Games From British Columbia Steam page in the spring and also held a page-wide sale over the BC Day long weekend. This features released and upcoming titles from a number of our independent and AAA developers of PC games, and we're proud to showcase their talent and range of development capabilities. The page was made possible with funding from Creative BC and the Province of British Columbia, and with the generous assistance of Kerberos Productions and Respeccd.

    DigiBC Sizzle Reel 2022

    We updated our sizzle reel and unveiled it to coincide with Creative Industries Week & Creative Technology Day. This reel represents BC's entire creative technology sector from VFX and animation to video games and VR/AR/XR, while showcasing some of the spectacular content that is made by a number of our member studios.

     



    ►2022 Events

    02.09: S+F Group Benefits Info Session
    02.10: Trade Commissioner Service Info Session
    03.14-18: DigiCamp: Online Video Game Development Camp for Girls (Spring Break)
    03.21-25: DigiCamp: Online Video Game Development Camp for Girls (Spring Break)
    03.23: WIGeh Lightning Talks Lunch & Learn (DigiBC supported)
    04.07: Neil Squire Society Info Session
    05.16-20: Creative Industries Week
    05.16: Creative Technology Day
    05.25: WIGeh Lightning Talks Lunch & Learn (DigiBC supported)
    06.09: ICTC EDI Panel
    06.27: ICTC EDI Survey AMA Session
    07.11-15: DigiCamp: Online Video Game Development Camp for Girls (Summer)
    07.29-08.02: Games from BC Steam Page: BC Day Sale
    08.04: VCC Micro-credential Program Info Session
    08.15-19: DigiCamp: Online Video Game Development Camp for Girls (Summer)
    08.22-26: DigiCamp: Online Video Game Development Camp for Girls (Summer)
    08.31: WIGeh Lightning Talks Lunch & Learn (DigiBC supported)
    10.01-02: Signal Exhibition (in collaboration with VIFF) 
    10.01: DigiBC’s 25th Anniversary Celebration
    11.24: DigiBC 2022 AGM
     

    Creative Industries Week
    The seventh annual Creative Industries Week took place from May 16-20 and this showcased BC’s dynamic creative sector which includes the book and magazine publishing, creative technology, film, and music industries. On May 18, we celebrated in Victoria at the Legislature with government, community and industry partners, and had a great turnout from our membership spanning across A/VFX, XR and Video Games. Animal Logic, Atomic Cartoons, Departure Lounge, Industrial Light & Magic Vancouver, Kano and Sony Imageworks all brought something to showcase to BC’s MLAs and industry stakeholders. Loc Dao (Executive Director, DigiBC) had the chance to speak about our sector, along with Tim Teh (Co-founder, Kano) who talked about audiences and connections in the work that our industry creates. Additionally, Michelle Grady (EVP, Sony Imageworks) spoke about how our sector is addressing talent demands through our education strategy and EDI (Equity, Diversity and Inclusion) work.

    Creative Technology Day
    As part of CIW 2022, DigiBC presented Creative Technology Day on May 16 to showcase some of the incredible work from studios across the province, spanning animation, visual effects (VFX), video games, and virtual/extended/augmented reality (VR/AR/XR). In addition, we shared some of the key education programs and EDI initiatives that the creative tech industry is developing in partnership with educators and the provincial government to ensure that BC continues to train and retain world-class talent while enhancing diversity, equity and inclusion across the sector.

    DigiBC's 25th Anniversary Celebration & Signal Exhibit
    This year was DigiBC’s 25th anniversary and the sector came together on October 1. It was our first in-person event since 2019, and we couldn’t have asked for a better way to celebrate the occasion with members from across BC’s incredible creative technology industry! The night kicked off with opening remarks from Loc Dao (Executive Director, DigiBC), and then Loc and Charles Creighton (President, Departure Lounge) welcomed T'uy't'tanat Cease Wyss and her daughter Senaqwila to perform the first-ever volumetrically captured cultural welcome. After which Jon Lutz (Board Chair, DigiBC), Brenda Bailey (Parliamentary Secretary for Technology and Innovation), Valerie Creighton (CEO & President, CMF) and Loretta Todd (Creative Director, IM4 Media Lab) spoke.

    The event took place during the sold-out Signals, which was a first ever collaboration between the Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF) and DigiBC. Special thanks to co-curators Debi Wong (re:Naissance Opera) and Loretta Todd (IM4 Media Lab) for putting together such a great program that showcased BC tech and talent. Signals displayed the creative power, playfulness, and storytelling potential of new technologies with a multi-day showcase of Canadian and Indigenous works. The exhibits ranged from real time 3D performances showcasing holograms and LED volumes to VR multiplayer gaming and a dome 360 film.

     

    Orange Shirt Day Fundraiser
    In observance of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and in support of Orange Shirt Day, DigiBC worked with IM4 Media Lab to create an orange t-shirt for our members to purchase. The artwork was an original design titled Still Here that we commissioned from Coast Salish artist Zac George. We were able to raise a total of $1100 and this was donated to the Indian Residential School Survivors Society.
     

     

  • 10 Dec 2022 by DigiBC

    We will be doing two draws and selecting four lucky winners (two for each program) who will receive free tuition!

    VCC: Production for Animation and VFX
    UVic: Unity® for Creative Technology
     

    Contest Details:
    ►Submit your name, email & program choice (UVic or VCC) to team@digibc.org
    ►Deadline is December 15 @ 6:00pm
    ►Winners will be notified by email on December 20


    Production for Animation and VFX

    Dates: January 11 – April 19, 2023
    Day/time
    : Wednesdays, 6-9pm
    Format
    : Face-to-face & online in a blended model
    Instructors
    : Shawn Smolensky (ILM Vancouver) & Sandi Gisbert (Wind Sun Sky Entertainment)

    This program offers focused and specialized training for production roles in animation and VFX studios. It consists of four courses and is offered part-time to support working professionals. A great option for:

    • Junior production assistants and coordinators needing additional training
    • Existing employees looking to gain specific skills to move into production
    • Those reskilling from adjacent roles and industries
    • Those looking to enter the industry and start a production career in animation and VFX


    PROGRAM DETAILS

     

     


    Unity® for Creative Technology (UCT)

    Dates: January 24 - March 2, 2023
    Days/Time: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 6-9pm
    Format: Part-time, online hybrid
    Instructor: Charles Hache (certified Unity instructor)

    This program introduces learners to real-time interactive 2D and 3D essentials, and the fundamentals for building virtual experiences through the Unity platform. It also includes testing and preparation for participants to obtain their Unity Certified User: Programmer certification. Designed and best suited for:

    Software engineers or graduates of computer science or software engineering
    Technical artists or graduates of technical art programs
    Graduates of fine arts programs with at least four to six months of object-oriented programming experience

     

    PROGRAM DETAILS

     

    ►A 100% tuition subsidy for this course is available to those actively enrolled in full-time post-secondary studies! Click on the link above for further details and feel free to share this info with any students you know who might want to take advantage of this offer.

  • 06 Dec 2022 by DigiBC

    The annual Virtual Food Drive Fundraiser has now launched and is being organized by Departure Lounge. Last year’s record-breaking drive raised over $7,500 for the Greater Vancouver Food Bank, and this year's goal is to end 2022 with a minimum raise of $2023. The Charity Poker Night will be free-to-play and open to all by any donation to the fundraiser. Details about registering for the live poker night will be announced soon (date TBD but likely early 2023) and it will be open to both new players and pros alike!
     

    CLICK HERE TO DONATE

     

    CALL FOR PRIZE DONATIONS and/or SPONSORS: Any prizes, large or small, will be gratefully accepted for the charity poker event. If you have something to donate, please contact Dennis Chenard. Companies making an online donation of $500 or more to the food drive will have a table named after them, their logo added to the campaign banner, and other social mentions. 

     

  • 23 Nov 2022 by DigiBC

    Looking to develop a career in production? VCC's Production for Animation and VFX micro-credential teaches the industry-identified skills of team management, interpersonal relations, task prioritization, reporting, and communication, all within the context of production for working in animation and VFX. This was created in close partnership with individuals working in production roles across some of BC’s leading studios to specifically meet the needs of this challenging and rewarding career path. The program consists of four courses and is offered part-time to support working professionals who are seeking reskilling and upskilling opportunities for their career. This is a convenient and focused option for:

    ►Recent hires at animation and VFX studios needing additional training in their roles
    Recent grads and those reskilling from adjacent industries

    Existing employees across animation and VFX who are looking to gain specific skills for a career move up or over into production

     

    PROMO ALERT: Receive a 25% discount on each course when registering for all four at the same time!
    Applicable to the next term which starts January 11, 2023
    Use the code: DigiBC2023

     

    Questions?
    ►Attend an upcoming online info session to learn more about scheduling, course content, registration, and ask any questions.
    ►December 5, 12, 19 @ 12-1pm

     

     

    INFO SESSION REGISTRATION

    PROGRAM DETAILS

     

  • See more blogs...