海角直播

New scholarship will help break down barriers to the animation and games industries

海角直播鈥檚 internationally renowned Animex festival is supporting a new scholarship to help students from under-represented groups to achieve a career in the animation or games industries.

The Animex Scholarship is available to students from under-represented groups who are seeking to study one of a range of degrees in the University鈥檚 School of Computing, Engineering & Digital Technologies. It is being funded by the Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority, which are key partners to the annual Animex festival and have helped to drive its success in recent years.

The Animex Scholarship will provide 拢2,500 to one eligible student who successfully enrols to study animation, stop motion, concept art, visual effects, games art, games design, games development or games programming during the 2022-23 academic year.

The successful Animex scholar will also receive free access during their degree to the University鈥檚 internationally renowned Animex festival, which celebrates the best in animation, VFX and computer games and draws industry heavyweights from all over the world to share their secrets of success.

Animex, which is now in its 23rd year, holds annual screenings, workshops and exhibitions, along with a line-up of talks by animation, games and VFX industry experts who share insights and behind the scenes stories from some of the world鈥檚 biggest animated titles, television and film blockbusters and bestselling games.

Last year the festival introduced a Diversity and Inclusivity Showcase programme of talks and discussion, organised in partnership UKIE #RaiseTheGame, to showcase projects to highlight diversity and inclusivity within the games industry.

海角直播 is a #RaiseTheGame academic pledge partner, demonstrating the University鈥檚 commitment to championing and fostering equality, diversity and inclusion, while working collectively to drive meaningful cultural and behavioural change to create a more diverse and inclusive games industry.

Siobhan Fenton, Associate Dean (Enterprise and Business Engagement), School of Computing, Engineering & Digital Technologies, said: 鈥淲e are excited to be working with the Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority to offer this scholarship, which will help to break down barriers to help encourage students from under-represented and disadvantaged groups into the games and animation industries.

鈥淚t could make a real difference to a talented student with passion for games or animation.鈥�

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: 鈥淲ith the fantastic Animex festival, each year 海角直播 inspires and entertains while showing off the best local talent in our ever-growing digital sector.

鈥淪o to further support this industry and those passionate about a career in the digital sector, we鈥檙e working with 海角直播 to offer this scholarship. It will both help spread opportunity and offer a helping hand to those who may need it most.

鈥淵ou don鈥檛 need to go far to see our region鈥檚 strength in this sector 鈥� just look at those growing at Middlesbrough鈥檚 Boho - but it鈥檚 vital we support our local talent, show students that there鈥檚 a great career waiting for them on their doorstep, and then give them the means to secure one.

"海角直播 has long been famous for its industry and will continue to be for decades to come but we are making huge strides in the digital sector and we have some fantastic local businesses trading on a global scale. This industry is exciting, dynamic, and is creating jobs for the future. I will continue to support its growth in any way I can.鈥�