Toonz Animation Studios to collaborate with FTII Pune to offer animation and visual effects courses

Global kids and family entertainment major Toonz Animation Studios through its education services arm Vizdem has announced that it is collaborating with the prestigious Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune to offer animation and visual effects courses at the FTII campus in Pune.

Toonz and FTII signed a MoU to this effect on Wednesday, which aims to bridge the gap between industry requirement and academia by developing relevant skill-based courses in the Media & Entertainment industry. Mr. Sayyid Rabeehashmi, Registrar, FTII and Ms. Subbalakshmi Venkitadri, Chief Financial Officer of Toonz in the presence of Mr. Sasikumar, Executive Director, Education Services of Toonz Animation Studios signed the MoU. With the FTII recently announcing the undergraduate course in ‘Animation and Visual Effects Design,’ Toonz Studios, as an industry partner will provide necessary support by mentoring the curriculum, arranging industry experts and academicians from Vizdem and also support internship for the students.

Apart from this, both Toonz and FTII also have plans to develop various animation and visual effects courses and to set up an incubation center in the FTII campus. This will help the students to develop their own IP and reach out to broadcasters across the globe. As per the MoU, Toonz will collaborate with FTII to offer animation and visual effects programs under FTII’s Centre for Open Learning (CFOL).

“This collaboration brings leaders in industry and academia to provide skill-based courses in animation and visual effects. Vizdem, our educational service arm is clearly one of the leading animation training institutes in India and we are delighted to join hands with Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune, which is one of the leading film institutes in the world,” Mr. P Jayakumar, Chief Executive Officer of Toonz Media Group commented.

On the occasion of signing the agreement, Prof. Sandeep Shahare, Director , FTII said, “The collaboration with Toonz Is a great step towards addressing the gaps between academia and industry. The association will benefit students of Animation and VFX of the Institute and also will be instrumental in formalizing internships and thus equipping them to meet the creative challenges in the career.”

Having started its operations in 1999, Toonz has a rich legacy of around 25 years. Toonz started its education services arm in 2002 and is now a pioneering institution in animation training in South Asia. Toonz Media Group’s position as a global leader in IP development, animation production, and distribution will further enhance the quality of education and training and will help prepare the students for global careers in animation. BCS Bureau