The animation industry in Jamaica and the wider Caribbean ‘is still nascent’, according to organisers of KingstOOn, the biennial animation conference.

Since 2013, the competition has, for many young Jamaicans – budding cartoonists and the like – created a safe space to cultivate the in-demand creative industry.

So, ‘in order to catalyse the diverse efforts being undertaken by the public and private sectors and the multilateral community’, ‘and to continue attracting the attention of the international animation community, the Government of Jamaica, in collaboration with the Youth Employment in Digital and Animation Industries (YEDAI), in collaboration with the World Bank, presents another iteration of the KingstOOn Animation Conference and Film Festival.

‘We are currently accepting entries for the competitions under KingstOOn 4…the theme is Celebrating Diversity in Animation’, Project Manager of YEDAI Margery Newland, told JIS News.

The date is set for the five-day virtual conference on April 21-25. But, registration is paramount to participation, and that process begins today, here.

KingstOOn 2021 will build on the successes of 2013, 2016, and 2019 in hosting the fourth biennial display of diverse culture through ‘storytelling and animated media’.

This will be executed under three umbrellas of 'learn, earn, and display' by way of a three-fold objective:

1 To provide participants, particularly Jamaican and Caribbean animators and associated professionals, with avenues to continue to LEARN the nuances of the global animation industry, by engaging directly with global industry leaders in various aspects of the business of animation, including education opportunities;

2 To create opportunities for participants to EARN from their engagement in animation at any level. KingstOOn will guide them through creating the most compelling pitch decks and pair pre-qualified individuals with potential content buyers;

3 To DISPLAY diverse animated content in the Animation Film Festival, by showcasing outputs by studios from around the world that reflect characters, stories, cultures and values of under-represented communities in screen-based industries, including stories created by people of African descent.

Over the years, the festival has attracted experts, who have shared insight and understanding of the opportunities and challenges in similar spheres, globally.

KingstOOn provides a link to a community of international animators, distributors, producers and broadcasters of animated content, investors and financiers, and animation studio executives, are expected to share titbits of their experience in ‘tOOn’.

Through masterclasses and workshops that enable participants to interact directly with professional animators, the organisation informs patrons of the myriad ways Jamaica can position itself in varying design industries.

In the past this has allowed participants to delve into the technical aspects of animation, using case studies and demonstration of 2D and 3D software possibilities, this year is no different.

Educational institutions from Jamaica and across the region will present the range of options for training and career development offered at the affiliated institutes.

And, of course, the last leg of the conference includes a competition showcase with a viewing of a wider audience internationally.

The 2019 guest speaker panel is a collection of industry experts and animation rock stars from across the globe.

Check out these winners of previous KingstOOn competitions, that include five of the Rock’s finest illustrators and animators:

Corretta Singer (www.correttasinger.com)

Gashwayne Hudson (gashhuds.com/www.artstation.com/gashhuds) 

Danielle Parchment (www.artstation.com/nillestudio) 

JoWayne McFarlane (www.artstation.com/jowhimsy/profile) 

George Hay (www.artstation.com/gohayart)

Conference sessions are aimed at advancing one’s knowledge and experience to the next level.

At this next level, Caribbean creatives will interact with some of the world’s most renowned influencers in the global animation field.

They will have the opportunity to connect with key players in the industry, including presenters from Disney, Sony Animation, Hit Entertainment and Pixar, who will expound on varying aspects of the creative and business of animation.

Included in the five-day conference is the chance to engage globally renowned keynote speakers, take notes in multi-category masterclasses, join panel discussions, networking and business matchmaking, opportunities for virtual in-booth meetings and expos, and more.

KingstOOn is an Animation Conference and Film Festival organised by the Government of Jamaica through the Youth Employment in Digital and Animation Industries (YEDAI), in collaboration with the World Bank. For more information and to keep up with the conference, visit their website.