From Classroom to Studio

The industry is also well-supported through education and training programs for artists, software engineers, and other technical-related professionals. They include:

• The Master of Digital Media program offered by the University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, Emily Carr University of Art + Design and the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) through the Centre for Digital Media (CDM)
• Focused career pathway programs (one year) offered by Lost Boys | School of Visual Effects,including Advanced Visual Effects Compositing (Nuke) and Effects Technical Director (Houdini).
• Industry-designed visual effects and 3D animation job-skills training by CG Masters School of 3D Animation & VFX
• Specialized programs offered by the Vancouver Film School (VFS), including Foundation Visual Art & Design (one year); 3D Animation & Visual Effects (one year); and Classical Animation (one year)
• One-year programs offered by the Vancouver Institute of Media Arts (VanARTS), such as 2D/3D Character Animation, Game Art & Design, and Visual Effects
• Diploma programs in 3D and animation offered by The Art Institute of Vancouver, a two-year Digital Visual Effects Diploma offered by Capilano University and certificate and diploma programs offered online through the Vancouver Animation School.

Major Tax Incentives for VFX & Animation (not exclusive)

Federal, provincial & municipal governments provide strong support & incentives to tech businesses operating in Vancouver

• British Columbia Production Services Tax Credit
  Offers Canadian, or international film and TV production companies with a permanent establishment in BC, a 28% refundable tax credit on eligible labour costs.
• Film Incentive BC Tax Credit
  A labour-based tax incentive offering a refundable tax credit of 35% to Canadian-controlled production companies.
• Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit
  Offers a credit of 25% of qualified labour to Canadian-controlled production companies provided by the Government of Canada, with a credit of 16% of qualified labour costs to Canadian- controlled production companies and those with a permanent establishment in Canada.
• BC Digital Animation or Visual Effects (DAVE.)
  Provides a tax credit of 16% on qualifying labour costs to production companies employing BC talent for post-production and sound.
• The Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED)
  program, a federal tax incentive encouraging R&D in Canada. Qualifying non-Canadian companies can receive tax credits of 15% of qualified expenditures, while Canadian companies receive enhanced credits. Qualifying Canadian and non-Canadian corporations conducting R&D in BC can also benefit from a 10% provincial tax credit.
• International Business Activity (IBA)
  A company registered in the International Business Activity (IBA) program, administered by Advantage BC, qualifies for a full refund of provincial corporate income tax, currently 11% in British Columbia, on revenues derived from film and television distribution.
• British Columbia Interactive Digital Media Tax Credit: taxable Canadian corporations with permanent establishments in British Columbia, in the business of developing interactive digital media products may be eligible for a refundable 17.5% tax credit on qualified labour costs.