Volunteer opportunity for industry professionals who are Unity experts across the pipeline (lighting, rigging, audio, etc) to participate as guest speakers, panelists, project advisors

DigiBC, in collaboration with the University of Victoria, is launching an exciting new micro-credential that focuses on the Unity engine. We are seeking passionate and experienced professionals from the industry who use Unity in their day-to-day work (lighting, rigging, audio, etc) to volunteer as experts for the "Industry Week" portion of the course (scheduled for the week of August 19, 2024). Join us in shaping the future of the creative technology industry by guiding and inspiring the next generation of Unity developers!

Volunteers will need to engage with students through any of the following activities:

►Guest Speaking:

• Deliver a lecture or presentation on a specific topic related to Unity
• Sessions can be conducted remotely or in-person in Victoria, BC

►Panel Participation:

• Join industry panels or Ask Me Anything (AMA) sessions to share insights and answer questions from students

►Office Hours (Remote or In-studio):

• Host "office hours" during Industry Week to provide one-on-one or group support to students working on their collaborative Unity projects
• Volunteers would need to commit to a minimum of two hours during the scheduled week as a part of “office hours”

Qualifications:

• Currently working in creative tech (specifically within the video games or XR)
• Proficient in using Unity engine in professional projects within game development
• Strong communication and presentation skills
• Passionate about mentoring and supporting the next generation of industry professionals
• Prior experience working with students in a co-op, mentorship or any other industry related learning workshop is an advantage but not mandatory

Benefits:

• Share your expertise and knowledge with enthusiastic students within creative tech
• Network with other industry professionals and educators
• Contribute to the growth and development of the creative tech industry in British Columbia

Location: Remote (or in-person in Victoria, BC)

How to Apply: If you are interested in volunteering, please contact DigiBC’s Work Placement Office and send in your resume to wpo@digibc.org

Application Deadline: July 30, 2024

About DigiBC:
DigiBC is dedicated to supporting and promoting the growth of British Columbia's creative technology industry. We connect the creative digital industries of video games, animation, visual effects (VFX), and virtual reality/augmented reality (VR/AR) with educational institutions and government to drive innovation and development.

La Guilde du jeu vidéo du Québec and XP Gaming are proud to present the Montréal International Game Summit (MIGS) 2024, Canada’s longest-running B2B video game conference dedicated to the business of gaming and the continued growth of Québec and Canada’s resilient video game industry. MIGS connects game publishers, investors, developers, and service providers for two days of global networking, expert speakers and panels, as well as a dedicated exhibit space featuring an indie game showcase. All events take place in Bonsecours Market (350 Rue Saint-Paul E, Montréal, QC H2Y 1H2) between October 30-31, 2024.

Use the official hotel reservation system to secure your room booking. These are high quality hotels that are close to the venue and the conference has negotiated excellent discounts. There's no upfront charge, and guests can enjoy hotel membership status benefits and collect points.
 

TICKETS & INFO

Use the code DIGIBCMIGS24 to receive a 15% discount on passes

HOTEL BOOKING LINK

Official MIGS hotel reservation booking system (book direct to save!)

Calling all IDM companies in British Columbia! Don't miss out on the opportunity to participate in this Canadian IDM Industry Profile Survey!

DigiBC, ESAC and CIAIC have been working on this project which will be the first-ever full snapshot of BC’s IDM sector, and of Canada’s in 11 years. Nordicity, who works on our IDMTC reports that we share with the Ministry of Finance, is the firm conducting the study.

We need your valuable input to create a comprehensive profile that will shape the future of the IDM industry in Canada. This will help us in our continued advocacy with the provincial government, as well as new advocacy on the federal level. This data is also essential to our work in representing industry interests locally and abroad, and it assists with identifying the economic impact the industry has in Canada.

The questionnaire is streamlined and easy to fill out, and should take about 20 minutes to complete. It is open to companies of all sizes making:

• Video Games
• Interactive and Immersive Storytelling and Experiences, or
• Interactive Educational Content  

If you haven’t yet already, please participate in this survey as it is key to helping us create an accurate snapshot of BC's IDM sector. We appreciate your contribution to this nationwide endeavour! 🙏

Video Game Studios
Use this link if your company primarily works in the video game industry

VIDEO GAME SURVEY LINK

VR/AR/XR Studios
Use this link if your company primarily builds immersive experiences (mixed reality exhibits, XR films, etc) or eLearning products and content

VR/AR/XR SURVEY LINK

Who should complete the survey?
This would be best completed by someone at your company with in-depth knowledge of corporate financial and human resource information, as well as your company’s strategic direction. If you are not the appropriate person to be completing this survey, please pass it on to the individual best able to answer the questions.

Confidentiality
CIAIC, DigiBC, ESAC and Nordicity guarantee the confidentiality and protection of the data provided by your organization. Your responses to this survey will be combined with those of the other respondents for aggregate analysis only; under no circumstances will individual company data be communicated or disseminated.

Survey Deadline
Please respond no later than July 12, 2024

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is seeking input from a wide range of stakeholders and partners to help them shape Canada’s next multi-year Immigration Levels Plan, which will be announced in the fall of 2024. This feedback will inform planning for the coming years, and help IRCC deliver better policies, programs, and services.

Traditionally, the Immigration Levels Plan has set targets for the overall admissions per category and included a projection of how many permanent residents would be admitted to Canada each year. In an effort to better align the immigration system with the needs of the country, IRCC is expanding the scope of the ILP to include temporary resident arrivals.

👉 If you’re interested in providing your feedback on the balance among different categories and programs, and how immigration can best support Canada from multiple perspectives, IRCC invites you to complete their online survey.

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS SURVEY

• The survey may not automatically save your draft responses, so you can prepare in advance by downloading the survey.
• If you would like to include other perspectives from within your organization, consult with your colleagues and submit one response on behalf of your company.
• Closing date for the survey is June 30, 2024

Quiver Games works to create fantastic events and programs that bring up the next generation of game devs in Vancouver through skill-building opportunities. Their next upcoming initiative is the Quiver Game Developer's Guild and applications are now open.
 

Dates: July 6 to August 3, 2024
Where: Northeastern University, 1400-410 W. Georgia St
Application Deadline: June 14, 2024

This month-long game developer incubator will provide:

• Teams carefully built to excel with all the roles you need to create great content
   
• A steady curriculum that combines the business and creative sides of games, fueled by industry best practices to create great products
   
• Awesome mentors with 1-on-1 attention to make sure your game product shines
   
• Opportunities to pitch and present, ending in a grand showcase during the next Deventure event in August
  
  
  

EVENT DETAILS

APPLICATION FORM

The ninth annual Creative Industries Week (April 22-26) brought industry associations, key stakeholders, and creators together with government to celebrate BC’s dynamic creative sectors: Film + Television, Book + Magazine Publishing, Music, and Creative Technology.

It was a pleasure to be in Victoria at the Legislative Assembly on April 24 to showcase our valued members’ achievements to MLAs and Ministers, alongside our peers in the creative industries. We presented our sizzle reel, highlighting the latest innovations of BC’s animation, visual effects, and video game companies, while game developer Buffalo Buffalo showed a working demo of Fresh Tracks, its immersive, music-based skiing game that has recently been funded by the CMF and Creative BC. Fresh Tracks first appeared at Signals, our annual seven day Creative Technology Expo, co-presented by VIFF and DigiBC.

Thank you to Mary Lim from the Centre for Digital Media and Adrian Lipsett from Vancouver Community College, two of our micro-credential program partners, for joining us at the DigiBC booth. We would also like to thank all the MLAs in attendance, notably Minister Lana Popham, Parliamentary Secretary Bob D’Eith, Minister Brenda Bailey, Minister Lisa Beare, Minister Katrina Conroy and Premiere Eby, for their unwavering support of the creative sectors. And finally, thank you to Screen BC and Creative BC, particularly Amber Orchard and the production team, for bringing together change-makers and champions from across BC’s creative industries!

Mary Lim (CDM), Kristina Lao (DigiBC), Nimisha Mukerji (Director's Guild of Canada), Nick Spanos (Buffalo Buffalo), Adrian Lipsett (VCC)

Minister Lana Popham delivering the official proclamation of Creative Industries Week in BC

Buffalo Buffalo's Fresh Tracks VR game demo

In the light of the events surrounding Black Lives Matter, many companies were self-assessing and realizing a lack of diversity in their staffing and perspectives. As a result, companies are asking Black people, Indigenous people, and Persons of Colour to reach out to them regarding job opportunities, submitting portfolios, and other actions.

Change requires diligently seeking diversity, by actively searching and reaching out to talent. Change requires effectively supporting, advocating, and listening to BIPOC and their needs.

"Where do we find Black, Indigenous and Persons of Colour with the skills we require?"

There are many online resources that are active and thriving. We've compiled a list of communities and events below.

COMMUNITIES

Black Game Devs
A list of Black game developers, able to be filtered in alphabetical order by skills and country.

Black Girls CODE
A community devoted to providing African-American youth with the skills for computing jobs across the U.S., and reaches out to the community through workshops and after-school programs.

Code Coven
A network that provides marginalized developers with the skills and confidence needed to thrive in the games industry. They offer courses, mentorship, portfolio development, and programming.

Indigenous Futures
Initiative for Indigenous Futures is a partnership of universities and community organizations that encourages and enables artists, academics, youth and elders through four major components: workshops, residencies, symposia, and archive. IIF teaches workshops about experimental digital media such as video games, 3D printing and machinima workshops while encouraging Aboriginal storytelling.

ImagineNATIVE
ImagineNATIVE is the world's largest presenter of Indigenous screen content. They are a hub for professional development, job opportunities, discussion panels, industry discussions, and post Festival playlists featuring a wide range of film, VR, audio, and video game content. The imagineNATIVE Film and Media Arts Festival is held annually in Toronto in October.

POC in Play
POC in Play is an independent organization that creates a range of initiatives and programmes of events, all designed to increase the visibility and representation of People of Color in the video games industry.

Indigenous Game Devs
A network for supporting Indigenous game developers, which provides information about opportunities, sharing resources to enhance development, and highlights Indigenous-made games. The site is maintained by Elizabeth LaPensée, who was featured in a Vice.com article in 2017, discussing the desire to create space for Indigenous stories in video games. She also talks about her video game she created called Thunderbird Strike.

RESOURCES

IDGA Resources for Supporting Black Lives and Game Devs
A comprehensive list of resources, including calls for mentorship, tips to build an inclusive workplace, organizations to donate to, writing inclusive job descriptions, resources on becoming an anti-racist ally, and more.

Games Created by Black Developers
A growing list of games created by Black developers.

#DrawingWhileBlack Artists
A directory of Black artists that can be filtered for specific areas including (but not limited to) book illustration, character design, storyboards, product design, and more.

EVENTS

The Black Game Pros Mixer
This past Black History Month, Ubisoft Toronto hosted the 2nd Black Game Pros Mixer, an event which brings together Black talent and professionals from local video game, tech, film, and TV industries.

Game Developers of Color Expo
An inclusive games expo and conference creating a new normal in games. The virtual event will be taking place this year on September 19th, and are currently accepting persons of color to be industry speakers or show off their games.

Game & Color
Game & Color held their first social meetup for game developers of color this past February in Montreal at the KO_OP/Kitfix Games studio. There is also a Google form link on the Eventbrite page to fill out to be notified of the next Game & Color event.

The Indigenous Film Summit
Created by the Indigenous Filmmakers Association, the Indigenous Film Summit is an event held in Manitoba and is aimed at emerging and professional indigenous directors, writers and producers, while providing attendees with an understanding of funding opportunities, documentary and feature film production, and excellent networking opportunities with industry professionals.

This is just a small list, and there are bound to be many more. But the work doesn't stop here. Read up and listen to where BIPOC creators congregate to network and meet. We've included a handful of social media hashtags where communities form:

#Blackgamedevs
#IndigenousGameDevs
#POCGameDevs
#DrawingWhileBlack
#BlackGirlGamers
#BGGOnlineSummit
#IndigenousGames
#Imaginenative
#IndigenousCinema
#BlackVoiceActors
#BlackGirlsCode
#BlackTechTwitter

DigiBC is developing a new pilot program to provide work placement opportunities in the Creative Tech sector, supported by the Province of British Columbia. This exciting new initiative will create student placements within animation, visual effects, and XR companies across BC.

Offering new tailored resources for students and employers alike, the program will help students build successful careers in Creative Tech, while also supporting employers in hiring talented students. Further details about the new program will be available in late May. Stay tuned! 👀

►Click here to join our mailing list so you can stay informed!

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! 👏👏👏
 

Atomic Cartoons
• 2023 Kidscreen Hot50: Production Companies (#3)

Blackbird Interactive
• Homeworld 3 // Cover Feature (PC Gamer Magazine, January 2024)

DNEG
• Oppenheimer // Best Visual Effects (Critics Choice Awards)
• The Last of Us // Outstanding Special Visual Effects In A Season Or A Movie (Emmy Awards)

Doberman Pictures (Garnet Syberg-Olsen)
• Not Quite Narwhal // Best Art Direction Animation Series (Leo Awards)

Framestore
• Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3; Rocket // Outstanding Animated Character In A Photoreal Feature (VES Awards)

Sony Pictures Imageworks // Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
• 7 x Annie Awards 2024
• 4 x Visual Effects Society Awards 2024
• Named 2nd Best Animated Movie of the 21st Century (IndieWire)

Think Tank Training Centre
• The Rookies - 2023 School Rankings: Game Design & Development (#3), Visual Effects (#4),
Top 50 Global Schools (#7), 3D Animation (#8)

Timbre Games
• Best Mid-Sized Companies (50-200 Employees) // Best Places to Work Canada 2023

Titmouse
• 2023 Kidscreen Hot50: Production Companies (#7)

Versatile Media
• New Air // 2 x Silver Awards: Visionary Use of Technology in Short Film & Innovative Sound Experience (Portland Festival of Cinema, Animation & Technology)

WildBrain Studios
• 2023 Kidscreen Hot50: Broadcasting (#10), Distribution (#5), Licensing (#4), Digital Media (#4)
• The Snoopy Show, Ninjago, Snoopy Presents: Lucy’s School // 4 x Leo Awards
• Snoopy Presents: One-of-a-Kind Marcie // Best Special Production (Annie Awards)

DigiBC member Strawberry Fields Interactive announced last week that Aexia is now available for early access on Steam. Aexia is a platform for creating, sharing and playing VR role-playing games. They also recently received some great coverage from industry reviewer, Matteo311. "We're checking out a truly unique VR experience. I've never tried anything exactly like Aexia. While this free-to-play title is still in early access, it already has excellent world building, role-playing and social interactions."

WATCH THE FULL REVIEW HERE

CHECK OUT AEXIA ON STEAM

Open Call for XR Producers

Gain Mentorship. Make Connections. Showcase Your Work.

Signals is back from September 27 to October 6, and this year we’re excited to unveil the Signals XR Producer’s Lab! 💡

This is a unique platform for those dedicated to XR, virtual production, and immersive storytelling, providing the necessary structure, tools and support to innovate, network, and showcase world-class projects at the 2024 Signals Creative Technology Expo.

👉 If you are a mid-career producer with a project already in development, or an early-career producer looking for hands-on learning, apply to the Signals XR Producer’s Lab and join a supportive and structured program surrounded by mentors and fellow innovators.

Spread the word and submit your application by April 18, 2024 to be a part of this exciting opportunity!

DigiBC member Think Tank Training Centre has once again partnered with Warner Bros. Discovery’s Access Canada to sponsor five selected artists from underrepresented communities in Canada with full-time tuition to Think Tank’s online 3D art program, CG Asset Creation for Film or Games. This is designed to teach students how to layer essential technical skills with original artistic ideas, master real-world software, and develop an industry-ready portfolio. Highly personalized, hands-on and entirely online, the program helps young artists gain the crucial skills and connections needed to launch a rewarding career in the entertainment industry.
 

Scholarship Details:
• Applications are open from March 18 (9:00am EST) until April 19 (8:59pm EST)
• Five applicants selected as recipients
• Recipients receive tuition scholarship for Think Tank’s online CG Asset Creation for Film or Games
• All software provided by Think Tank

CLICK FOR MORE INFO & TO APPLY

The XP Game Summit is back for 2024! Connect with global industry professionals to explore crucial industry trends, develop new and innovative business building opportunities, and help shape the future of gaming and video game IP. The event unites business leaders, developers, publishers, investors, artists, educators and industry organizations for a comprehensive networking and knowledge-sharing experience.

This year’s focus is on the critical role of IP in games and will feature a series of expert speakers, panels and masterclasses on identifying, building, expanding and exporting IP.  It also includes a Business Lounge with MeetToMatch matchmaking services, an exclusive VIP Lounge, and associated networking events.

DigiBC members are entitled to an exclusive discount on conference passes, a hotel discount, and have the opportunity to apply to be a speaker.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Use the code DIGIBCTOXP24 to receive a 15% discount on passes

HOTEL DISCOUNT BOOKING LINK

Deadline for preferred pricing is March 21 or when rooms sell out

SPEAKER APPLICATION FORM

Apply by April 12

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 21, 2024

Scanline VFX
Outstanding Effects Simulations in a Photoreal Feature // Nyad
 

Framestore
Outstanding Compositing & Lighting in a Feature // Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3
Outstanding Visual Effects in a Photoreal Feature //Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3
Outstanding Virtual Cinematography in a CG Project //Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3
Outstanding Effects Simulation in an Episode // Invasion S02 (A Voice from the Other Side)
Outstanding Animated Character in a Photoreal Feature // Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3 (Rocket)
Outstanding Model in a Photoreal or Animated Project // Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3 (The Arete)
Outstanding Created Environment in a Photoreal Feature // Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3 (Knowhere)

Sony Imageworks
Outstanding Visual Effects in an Animated Feature // Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
Outstanding Animated Character in an Animated Feature // Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
Outstanding Created Environment in an Animated Feature // Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
Outstanding Virtual Cinematography in a CG Project // Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
Outstanding Effects Simulations in an Animated Feature // Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
Outstanding Compositing & Lighting in a Feature // Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
Outstanding Model in a Photoreal or Animated Project // Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (Spider HQ)

DNEG
Outstanding Visual Effects in a Photoreal Feature // Oppenheimer
Outstanding Supporting Visual Effects in a Photoreal Feature // Nyad
Outstanding Visual Effects in an Animated Feature // Nimona
Outstanding Visual Effects in a Photoreal Episode // The Last of Us S01 (Infected)
Outstanding Compositing & Lighting in an Episode  // The Last of Us
Outstanding Animated Character in a Photoreal Feature // Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (Bringing Topo to Life)
Outstanding Created Environment in an Episode, Commercial, Game Cinematic, or Real-time Project  // The Last of Us (Post-Outbreak Boston)
 

Annie Awards
Winners announced on February 17, 2024

Titmouse
Best TV/Media – Mature // Scavengers Reign (The Signal)
Best Production Design - TV/Media // Scavengers Reign (The Storm)
Best Writing - TV/Media // Scavengers Reign  
Best TV/Media – Mature // Big Mouth (The International Show)
Best Music - TV/Media // Animaniacs (Talladega Mice)
Best Editorial - TV/Media // The Legend of Vox Machina (The Sunken Tomb)

DNEG Animation
Best Feature // Nimona
Best Character Animation - Feature // Nimona
Best Character Design - Feature // Nimona
Best Direction - Feature // Nimona
Best Production Design - Feature // Nimona
Best Storyboarding - Feature // Nimona
Best Voice Acting - Feature // Nimona (Chloe Grace Moretz)
Best Writing - Feature // Nimona
Best Editorial - Feature // Nimona
 

Sony Imageworks
Best Feature // Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
Best Direction - Feature // Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
Best Editorial - Feature // Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
Best FX - Feature // Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
Best Music - Feature // Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
Best Character Design - Feature // Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
Best Production Design - Feature // Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

WildBrain Studios
Best Special Production // Snoopy Presents: One-of-a-Kind Marcie
 

Kidscreen Awards

Winners announced on February 5, 2024

WildBrain Studios
Best One-Off, Special or TV Movie // Snoopy Presents: One-of-a-Kind Marcie

Titmouse
Best New Series - Preschool Programming // Pupstruction
Best New Series - Kids Programming // Kiff

GLAAD Media Awards
Winners announced on March 14 (Los Angeles) & May 1 (NYC)

DNEG Animation
Outstanding Kids & Family Programming or Film - Animated // Nimona

WildBrain Studios
Outstanding Children’s Programming // Strawberry Shortcake: Berry in the Big City
Outstanding Kids & Family Programming or Film - Animated // The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder S2
 

Academy Awards
Winners announced on March 10, 2024

Framestore
Best Visual Effects // Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3

DNEG Animation
Best Animated Feature  // Nimona

Sony Pictures Imageworks
Best Animated Feature  // Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

BAFTAs
Winners announced on February 18, 2024

DNEG Animation
Best Animated Film  // Nimona

Framestore
Special Visual Effects  // Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3

Producers Guild of America Awards
Winners announced on February 25, 2024

Sony Pictures Imageworks
Outstanding Producer of Animated Theatrical Motion Pictures // Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

NAACP Image Awards
Winners announced on March 16, 2024

Disney Animation
Outstanding Animated Motion Picture // Wish
Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance in a Motion Picture // Wish (Ariana DeBose)

Sony Pictures Imageworks
Outstanding Animated Motion Picture // Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

WildBrain Studios
Outstanding Animated Series // The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder S2
Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (TV) // The Proud Family: Louder & Prouder S2 (Keke Palmer)
Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (TV) // The Proud Family: Louder & Prouder S2 (Kyla Pratt)

DRAGONS’ DEN gives aspiring entrepreneurs the opportunity to pitch their businesses to a panel of wealthy Canadian business moguls - the Dragons. Successful pitchers will have a chance to earn real investment from the Dragons’ own pockets! This is a fantastic opportunity for entrepreneurs and small business owners to apply and pitch their business concept for the chance to appear on national television.

Auditions for season 19 will kick off February 2024 and they will be hosting both virtual and in-person auditions in a few select, major cities. All applicants must apply through the online system, regardless if you are attending an in-person audition or a virtual audition. Selected applicants will be contacted in February 2024 to schedule an audition. Those who are invited to film for the show will need to be available for 1-2 days in Toronto in spring 2024.
 

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE