July 5, 2011 – Vancouver, BC –Vancouver Film School (VFS), Canada’s premier post-secondary entertainment arts institution and one of the most respected in the world, has been named School of the Year for the second year in a row in cgCoach’s Computer Graphics Student Awards (CGSA).  

The annual competition features the best in student-created computer graphics from around the world. This year, out of 150 submissions, VFS 3D Animation & Visual Effects alumni dominated the field once again, with Andrew Juano of Singapore winning Student of the Year for his reel, 0 Gravity. Aldo Martinez of Mexico was one of the top-five finalists, and received a Special Mention for his reel, Gliese 851. Both students were also awarded coveted internships with visual effects companies in Canada, and will be placed at Prime Focus, Image Engine, or MPC.

“It's really an honour,” says Juano. “It feels great that the effort you put in actually pays off, and is appreciated as well.” When creating his reel, Martinez says he was inspired by his classmates and “movies like Aliens and recent sci-fi videogames.”

These honours follow an impressive showing at the 2010 CGSAs, where VFS alumnus Maximilian-Gordon Vogt took home the first Student of the Year award. This year’s winners and finalists share a total prize pool of over $50,000. The judging panel was comprised of senior members of the visual effects industry, including representatives from Pixar, Double Negative, and DreamWorks.

“We are thrilled to have been recognized for the second year,” says Marianne O’Reilly, Head of Animation & Visual Effects. “This is a great achievement for both the school and our alumni. I am extremely proud of what our VFS alumni have gone on to accomplish and as for the school, we aim to continue on the path of excellence and strive to make progress every day, small or large, and being named School of the Year celebrates that fact.”

Vancouver Film School’s 3D Animation & Visual Effects program has a proven track record of success, with alumni honours from Oscars to Golden Globes. They work on many of the highest-grossing films each year, and are sought-after by companies around the world.

To watch the winning student reels, please visit Vancouver Film School’s YouTube Channel at www.youtube.com/vancouverfilmschool.

About Animation & Visual Effects at Vancouver Film School
Founded in 1987, Vancouver Film School is Canada's premier post-secondary entertainment arts institution and one of the most distinguished in the world. With 13 production-oriented programs and a world-leading one-year education model, VFS prepares students to join the creative economy. The Animation & Visual Effects department at VFS includes three distinct programs: 3D Animation & Visual Effects (one year), Classical Animation (one year), and Digital Character Animation (six months). Graduates of the Animation & Visual Effects programs have a profound effect on the entertainment industry and have played key roles behind the scenes on productions such as Avatar, The Princess and the Frog, and Rango.

Contact Person: Kate Harbinson, Public Relations Coordinator

Company Name: Vancouver Film School

Telephone Number: 604.631.3562                                                                                         

Email Address: Email Contact

Website address: vfs.com