Speakers

9 April
Freelancers

Learn how to launch and sustain a successful freelance career.

Alex started his professional career more than 5 years ago. Since then he has been working as a digital nomad for countless studios all over the world as well as delivering high-end edits to clients. With insights into different markets and cultures with their unique requirements and different approaches to beauty, he developed a unique style that is both refined and natural.

Glen runs SouthernGFX, a small Cheshire-based studio specializing in character and creature design with clients including SKY, Roald Dahl, Mackinnon and Saunders, Nike, Lenovo, Logitech, Sainsbury’s, Adidas, Netflix, Lego, Pixologic, Wacom. He's been using and training ZBrush (The leading digital sculpting program) in the UK for over 15 years and is a Wacom Ambassador for the UK and Ireland. More recently he has been creating in the VR space working with companies like Adobe Medium and now Gravity Sketch in the UK. His Youtube channel 'SouthernGFX' is all about helping you create in new and innovative ways and is packed with ideas and suggestions to help you get creative in eye-catching ways. Glen has been contributing to 3DWorld Magazine almost since it began. He and his team split their time between client projects, training for both corporate clients and in colleges and universities around the UK and presenting cutting-edge digital tools at events.

Lois has been drawing her whole life and studied animation at the Utrecht School of the Arts in the Netherlands. She currently works as a concept artist and character designer for clients such as LEGO, Guerrilla Games and Amazon. She has published two books: The Sketchbook of Loish and The Art of Loish, both of which were published by 3Dtotal and successfully funded through Kickstarter. She is very active on social media and has over one million followers on Instagram and Facebook.

10 April
Studio Day

Industry insiders reveal the talents and skills of successful job applicants.

Tendayi Nyeke's work has been nominated for South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTA) in multiple genres. Also, a former Writer’s Guild of SA council member Tendayi has worked as a development executive and writer on several award-winning shows and has written, produced, and directed television programs across South Africa’s major broadcasters. Passionate about where art and business meet, Tendayi holds an MBA in Music and Creative Industries from Henley Business School and has been invited to speak at TV markets and festivals in South America, Europe, and Southern Africa. She also holds a producing credit for comedy feature film Chemo Club and is a singer-song writer with a passion for musicals which she’s written and directed. Currently, a development executive for the International-Emmy Award Winning animation firm, Triggerfish Animation Studios which is also the studio behind Netflix's first African Animation series, Tendayi looks after the story development of a diverse slate of shorts, series, and feature film IP in partnership with global streamers and studios. Her dream is to transfer skills to emerging practitioners throughout Africa and the world in celebration of diverse and exciting perspectives.

Vanessa is an award-winning producer of both live action and animated films with over 20 years of filmmaking experience. She is currently based at Triggerfish Animation Studios in Cape Town and is producing a slate of projects (TV and Film) now in development. Together with this studio Vanessa has Co-produced Africa's two most successful animated feature films to date "Adventures in Zambezia" and "Khumba". She has played a critical role in developing key procedures and structures for this pioneering studio and their productions. As an ambitious and passionate producer, Vanessa is constantly looking to break new ground for Africa's animation industry. Her current projects include several 'first's' such as partnering with an international investors to produce an authentic African TV series, as well as developing an African animated musical!

Vanessa draws on her experience as a Development Producer to mentor young producers/creators through the Story Lab, the Berlinale Durban Talents Mentor Program and the current Netflix Writers Lab. She assists them in breaking into the industry to unleash the potential within their projects, so that their story's might go on to be developed and produced for international release. Upon noting the massive disparity between the percentage of women studying animation versus women working in the industry, she started 'African Women in Animation'. The organisation is a platform that offers support and helps to unlock opportunities for women within the industry, with a vision to promote and empower women specifically within the African animation, VFX and gaming industries.

She has over 8 years’ experience in Marketing (traditional and digital) and International Project Management, having worked throughout South Africa and abroad representing and supporting various Clients. With a background firmly rooted in brand strategy, marketing and project consultancy Vanessa is an all-rounder with a ‘can do' attitude.

Trojan Horse was a Unicorn, also known as THU, is an experience of its own kind. It brings all areas of the digital entertainment & interactive industry together through community-driven initiatives, events and projects. Over the years it has grown to one of the leading creative community events with speakers and participants from around the world. And for many of them it has been truly life changing.

11 April
Portfolio Day

How to put together an impactful portfolio, illustrated through live review sessions.

He has started drawing at the early age of 3. Drawing and painting was always his biggest passion. Evolving as an artist, taking up challenging tasks and coming up with new ideas is the main fuel in his daily, artistic life. After years of being a hobbyist he started working professionally for clients from the entertainment industry.
During his art career he has contributed to many well known franchises such as: Love Death & Robots, Maze Runner, Assassin's Creed, King Arthur, Death Stranding, Call of Duty, Destiny and many more!
He loves working directly with creative minds, he also started developing his brand and concept art studio providing a wide range of designs to clients like: Nvidia, Sony, Fox, Netflix, EA or Blur.
In 2018 he co-founded the first concept art school in Europe called "Focal Point School" with his friend Michal Kus. He is also a CEO at Focal Point School and an active teacher.