PRESS RELEASE
For immediate distribution
Montreal, May 11, 2021 – The VFX|AI Symposium, organized by the Quebec Film and Television Council (QFTC), was held on April 28th. The goal of this event, made possible through the support of the Conseil Emploi Métropole and in partnership with the School of Digital Arts, Animation and Design (NAD-UQAC), was to provide a venue where professionals in the visual effects and animation sector could interact and develop a common strategy in order to identify and understand the impact that the development of artificial intelligence technologies will have on the sector’s jobs and skills.
This sold-out event welcomed more than 100 professionals, including information technology (IT) and research and development (R&D) specialists, department heads, studio managers, visual effects and animation instructors, artificial intelligence (AI) professionals working in the digital imaging sector and, more broadly, senior artists interested in the impact of artificial intelligence on their work process.
“In a context in which artificial intelligence is set to play an increasingly greater role in our industry, we felt it was more than logical and even essential that we hold this Symposium dedicated to the visual effects and animation industry. The QFTC is truly proud to have been able to contribute to putting on such an event, which we hope, given the many topics that were addressed, managed to provide some answers and clarifications as to the future of our industry in the face of this technological advance,” stated Pierre Moreau, CEO of the QFTC.
In an atmosphere conducive to dialogue, the participants of this first symposium were able to attend an exceptional panel discussion during which experts shared their thoughts about the future of this technology and the changes anticipated for professionals in the sector. We were proud to welcome to the panel:
- Doug Roble, Senior Director, Software Research and Development, Digital Domain
- Paul Salvini, Global Chief Technology Officer, DNEG
- Sarah Watling, CEO, JALI Research Inc.
- Dr. Morgan McGuire, Chief Scientist, Roblox
- Mathieu Mazerolle, Director of Products, New Technologies, Foundry
Rapid fire sessions were held in the early afternoon, featuring a series of presenters who, through nine short talks, explored several angles and approaches to AI in their different business areas. The day closed with ten chat rooms, powered by Montréal International and Synthèse Pôle Image Québec, on different themes that participants could choose based on their preferences, such as task automation, future skills, training, impact on junior and senior workers, etc.
A skills development plan based on the conclusions of the Symposium will be drafted and shared with all partners, participants and industry players over the coming months.
The Quebec Film and Television Council cordially thanks its partners, the Conseil emploi métropole (CEM) and the School of Digital Arts, Animation and Design (NAD-UQAC), as well as discussion movers Montréal International and Synthèse Pôle Image Québec. Special thanks also go out to all the panellists, speakers and chat room moderators. Lastly, the QFTC would also like to thank the firm Kaliko Productions for its production of this event.
About the QFTC
Founded in 2006, the QFTC is a non-profit organization that contributes to the development and competitiveness of Quebec as a world-class multi-screen production hub. As an economic development agency, its mission is to generate investments in Quebec by leveraging competitive tax incentive programs, the expertise of industry members, the province’s architectural diversity, the quality of its infrastructure and the ability of the industry to export its products to foreign markets.
The QFTC receives support from its partners: Air Canada, National Bank of Canada, BFL Canada, Corporate Stays, Demers Beaulne, Difuze, EP Canada, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, Hôtel Gault/Monville, Hybride, Miller Thomson, Grandé Studios, Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton, Rodeo FX, Hôtel William Gray, Hôtel Mount Stephen, as well as from the different levels of government: federal, provincial and municipal.
For additional information, visit www.qftc.ca.
Contact Information
Aurore Lagonotte
Communications Officer
aurore@bctq.ca
