Kingstoon is a two-day animation conference and festival next month in Jamaica

JAMAICA – Kingstoon is a two-day animation conference and festival that will together international leaders in the animation industry, international and Jamaican universities, Jamaican animation studios and professionals, and visual arts students and practitioners to animate Jamaican creativity! It will be held on June 20-21, 2013  at theUWI Mona Visitors’ Lodge & Conference Centre.

On the first day, industry and university leaders will present current opportunities in the animation industry while also offering young Jamaicans the chance to develop basic skills through a series of workshops. On the second day, a mini festival will showcase Jamaican and Caribbean talents currently working in the animation industry and related fields. The event will have expert animation panels, Animation workshops, Speed meetings and a showcase Animation festival.

There will also be an Animation Competition with the following categories.
– Best Final Animation Product (including adverts)
– Best Script and Storyboard
– Best Experimental/Abstract Animation
– Best Character Design

The event is being organized by the Government of Jamaica in partnership with the World Bank and The Canadian High Commission. Kingstoon is sponsored and supported by FLOW, Development Bank of Jamaica, Jamaica National Building Society and the Gleaner Group. The event is also organized in collaboration with leading Jamaican universities and training programs (i.e. UTECH, UWI and Edna Manley). A number of global leading companies in animation have tentatively confirmed participation, including: Disney, ToonBoom, BentoBox, Nickelodeon, Yowza, Mercury Filmworks, Film Roman and Autodesk. In addition, Kingstoon will also be attended by key colleges specialized in animation including the Vancouver Film School, Seneca College, Sheridan College and Nova Scotia College.