Escape Studios announces 12th annual VFX Festival

Industry News  |  09 April 2024

In partnership with Wacom with speakers from Industrial Light & Magic, DNEG, Playground Games and more, the event celebrating the animation, games and visual effects industries, allows emerging talent to explore the best of the screen industries.

Escape Studios, one of the UK’s leading animation, games and VFX schools, has announced the return of its annual VFX Festival. The two day event will be held at Britain’s largest cinema screen, BFI IMAX, between 3rd-4th June, and will explore the latest trends, technologies, and innovations.

Hosted by Escape Studios, the 12th annual VFX Festival brings together the experience of industry veterans and emerging talent in a series of talks, and panel discussions. Following a hybrid event in 2023, the festival is now returning to its original physical format, giving new graduates and young professionals the opportunity to network and explore the best of the screen industries in person, at the heart of British filmmaking.

Providing insights into award-winning productions, panel and speaker sessions include the discussion of immersive experiences, the making of Doctor Who, and more. Expert-led presentations will also pull back the curtain on blockbusters like Poor Things (Union VFX), The Creator (Industrial Light & Magic), and the making of iconic games such as Forza Horizon (Playground Games).

The VFX Festival is an important part of Escape Studio’s calendar. It’s an opportunity to showcase the latest and greatest work in the fields of VFX, animation and games and is a great opportunity to peek behind the scenes of some of the amazing projects that our industry partners are involved in. Every year I am taken back by the creativity and complexity that is part of their day-to-day work and it is a real highlight of the year that shouldn’t be missed. I’m looking forward to learning more about the current state-of-the-art, as well as some of the challenges that the future will hold. We hope to see you there!

Dr Ian Palmer, Principal of Escape Studios

Headline sponsor Wacom will be exhibiting in the Tech Playground, allowing guests to get hands on with their latest products and solutions for artists and studios.

The VFX Festival is a great opportunity to connect with the vibrant and dynamic VFX, gaming and animation industry in the UK. We at Wacom are excited to support this event as a partner and to strengthen the connection between technology and creativity. We are very much looking forward to meeting artists, customers and partners and to complement the inspiring programme with the latest Wacom devices, the introduction of a brand-new product category and previously unreleased solutions for creative professional workflows.

Heidi Wang, Senior Vice President of Wacom Ink Division and B2B EMEA from Wacom

Event information

Date: Monday, 3rd – Tuesday 4th June 2024

Location: BFI IMAX, London, SE1 8XR 

Further details, including the full agenda and tickets, are available here

Animation UK SUPPORTERS