As the Animae Caribe New Media Festival kicks off for the 11th year, opportunities continue to flourish as a result of strategic partnership and investment into this thriving industry. The animation business has been identified as a key growth sector in Trinidad & Tobago and has become a key component in several different industries other than entertainment – business (advertising and marketing), education, science, criminal investigation to name a few.
While addressing the guests at the Digicel IMAX Theatre for the official opening on Monday October 29th, Acting President of UTT, Mr. Fazal Ali encouraged students and animators to fully take advantage of the opportunities given that by 2016, the Internet traffic will increase by 51% and the video on-demand traffic will triple. In Trinidad several initiatives have been put into place to foster the growth and development of the creative industry in particular the animation industry such as:
• The 2013 budget that highlights the development of the creative industries as the fifth area of focus, and the associated establishment of Trinidad and Tobago as a premier film and television production centre.
• Partnership with InvesTT (the sponsor of Animae Caribe Film Festival and a key resource for investors).
• A fully developed pioneering animation studio in Trinidad (Full Circle Animation Studio).
• UTT adopted a high end animation software called Toon Boom.
• The TTFC (Trinidad & Tobago Film Company) awarded funding to animators through their Production Assistance and Script Development Programme (PASD).
In addition, there is an exciting collaboration involving Trinidad & Tobago's leading animators and artists. Trini 'D' Delegation is a pilot project focusing on developing local animation talent. The TTFC, E-Teck and InvesTT are coming together to finance this project, which will expose Trini 'D' to the world.
This 'Brain Gain' forum focused on what needs to be done to reverse the 'brain drain' issues particularly for the animation industry in Trinidad. Since many expatriates have the willingness and potential to contribute to the development of the regional animation industry, the 'Brain Gain' theme of the workshop discussed how information technologies and initiatives can pave a new way to enhance cooperation from a distance.
The Animae Caribe Film Festival ended on Saturday November 3rd with a closing ceremony cocktail reception at the Queen's Royal College Auditorium.