The project has been selected as part of the “Accélérer les talents” program
MONTRÉAL, June 7, 2019 –The Quebec Film and Television Council (QFTC) is thrilled with the City of Montréal’s decision to support its cluster project aimed at developing talent within the visual effects and animation industry. The initiative, developed in collaboration with Access:VFX, CyberCap and École des arts numériques, de l’animation et du design – NAD-UQAC, is geared toward developing innovative solutions for tackling the current labour shortage.
The industry has seen incredible growth over the past ten years, generating $493 million in business in 2018, up from $42 million in 2009. Some of the most high-profile and challenging visual works out there were designed, developed and created in Montréal during this time, adding to the city’s reputation as a hub of digital creativity.
However, this growth brings its own challenges, first among them being the difficulty in finding workers.
The “Release your creativity” project, which will be implemented over the course of two years, is intended to be inclusive and for the benefit of all studios. It offers solutions both for recruitment and for retaining existing employees:
- Development of a mentorship program for young graduates with the goal of having 90% of program participants pursue a long-term career in visual effects;
- Creation of a training program aimed at increasing the number of women holding senior artist positions in order to achieve gender parity;
- Organization of recruitment activities specifically aimed at attracting minorities to showcase careers in visual effects and animation, and organization of an inclusion week to fully integrate existing employees in the industry;
- Establishment of a comprehensive health and wellness program tailored to the industry, with a particular focus on work-family balance.
The initiative is also receiving support from the studios participating in the Montréal chapter of Access:VFX, namely DNEG, Framestore, Method Studios, Mikros, Mill Film, Rodeo FX and Technicolor.
“Our Administration is taking action to make Montréal the most favourable environment for the development of talent and professional fulfillment of our fellow citizens and for the growth of businesses in the priority sectors of our economic development strategy. The five projects we are funding are new practices to attract, retain and integrate the workforce. I wish these inspiring initiatives the best of luck!” said Robert Beaudry, elected representative responsible for economic and commercial development, housing and design in the Executive Committee.
The QFTC will be contacting all studios and training institutions shortly in order to provide them with details and invite them to participate in the project.
To learn more about “Accélérer les talents”: http://accelererlestalents.com/
About the QFTC
The QFTC is a non-profit organization founded in 2006 that contributes to the development and competitiveness of Quebec as a world-class multi-screen production centre. As an economic development agency, its mission is to generate investment in Quebec through competitive tax incentive programs, the expertise of industry members, architectural diversity, the quality of its infrastructure and the industry’s ability to export its products to foreign markets.
The QFTC receives support from its partners Air Canada, National Bank, BFL Canada, Corporate Stays, Demers Beaulne, Difuze, Entertainment Partners Canada Inc., Fairmont Hotels, Front Row Insurance Brokers, Hôtel Gault/Monville, MELS, Miller Thomson, Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton, Rodeo FX, Hotel William Gray, YPR and Zone3, as well as from federal, provincial and municipal governments.
For more details, visit www.qftc.ca
Contact:
Frédéric Bourgeois-LeBlanc
Account Manager | YPR Canada
Phone: 514-318-7071
frederic@yprcanada.com
