On May 16 and 17, more than 1,000 professionals, students and enthusiasts from the visual effects and animation industry gathered at the Convention Center of Montréal for the second edition of CAFÉ (for Conference, Animation, FX and Expertise).
Initiated by the Quebec Film and Télévision Council and produced by Kaliko, this unparalleled gathering event, created by and for experts in visual effects and animation, has as its primary mission to showcase Quebec’s exceptional talent in the field and to position the Montreal and Quebec hub on the world stage.
The second edition was a great success, highlighting today’s technologies, showcasing tomorrow’s innovations, inspiring the creativity of the next generation and celebrating the excellence of our artists’ work, while enriching our collective expertise in visual effects and animation.
CAFÉ IN NUMBERS
Over the course of two days, hundreds of industry visitors attended 34 inspiring and innovative conferences given by 60 world-renowned guests from 48 studios in Quebec and abroad.
In addition, as part of a familiarization tour organized by the QFTC, in collaboration with Investissement Québec International and Québec’s foreign delegations, some twenty international buyers from the United States, Europe and Asia were able to discover the state-of-the-art infrastructure and meet the creators of our visual effects and animation studios while enjoying the CAFÉ experience. Overall, more than 275 unforgettable business meetings took place in two days.
THE NEXT GENERATION OF THE VFX AND ANIMATION SECTOR
The next generation of visual effects and animation students were able to attend various enriching and formative workshops offered in the Education Zone, as well as participate in mock interviews and portfolio reviews to better prepare them for the job market. CAFÉ allowed many students in digital creation, professors and professionals to meet, network, share knowledge and get inspired.
ROLLING GREEN
Finally, Rolling Green, which aims to promote eco-responsibility in the audiovisual industry, was present at CAFÉ to announce its expansion to the visual effects and animation sector, to promote its program to professionals and participants, and to offer awareness, training and coaching to workers and companies in the sector through tools and certifications adapted to the milieu. On tourne vert was also at the side of Services Québec, which was pleased to organize the closing night of CAFÉ in order to celebrate this great event.
THANKS TO OUR PARTNERS
Quebec is more than ever a hub for the visual effects and animation industry. More than that, it is an inspiration to artists around the world. It is in this spirit of pride that CAFÉ was imagined, created and supported by our precious partners and sponsors.
Many thanks to Services Québec, City of Montreal, Autodesk, Artifex Animation Studios (A.A. Studios), DNEG, Hybride, On tourne vert, Palais des congrès de Montréal, Raynault VFX, Rodeo FX, Synthèse, Tonic DNA, Union, Blue Spirit, Cinesite, Framestore, HUB MTL, Mikros Animation, MPC, École NAD-UQAC, Rayon FX, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Air Canada, Alchemy 24, BUF, Folks, Hypertec, Investissement Québec International, Montréal International, Real by Fake, L’atelier animation, Reel FX, Scanline VFX, 80LV, befores & afters, Montreal ACMSIGGRAPH, Animation World Network, Espresso jobs, VES Montreal, VFXV, Women in Animation (WIA).
CAFÉ IN IMAGES
Photo credits: François Ozan
