Blogs

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

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

• Must register by May 12
• To register for the study, please contact: garden.rehabresearch@ubc.ca
• Further details can be found on the GARDEN Framework website

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.

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

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.
 

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

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

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

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

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
 

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+

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

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

 

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