UNESCO - United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

02/05/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 02/05/2024 15:29

Caribbean digital creators present their work and explore latest industry trends at the PIDS Enghien festival in France

The innovative use of special and visual effects has transformed the film industry. It has redefined visual storytelling and has broadened creative options for artists. To reflect on the latest trends and challenges of a constantly evolving sector, digital visual effects professionals from around the world gathered in the city of Enghien-les-Bains, France, for the tenth edition of the PIDS Enghien Special Effects Festival, which took place from 31 January to 3 February 2024.

For the first time, the Caribbean made its debut as one of the participating regions in this prestigious event, with representation from digital creators in the film industry hailing from five Caribbean countries: Bronwen Forman from Belize, Ariel Carballo Figueroa from Cuba, Jeure José Tavare Taveras from the Dominican Republic, Floréal Wilkens from Haiti and Tajha Tianna Winkle from Jamaica.

The young people were selected through an open call of the UNESCO programme Transcultura: Integrating Cuba, the Caribbean and the European Union through Culture and Creativity, funded by the European Union. The initiative allowed the artists to interact with a specialized and general public, exhibit their work on a stand, as well as open access to presentations, a job fair and film screenings.

Through this partnership with the PIDS Enghien Festival, UNESCO and the European Union are providing young Caribbean creators with the opportunity to discover the latest trends of a very high-tech sector, connect with industry leaders, access new markets and pave a path in the global creative economy.

Alessandra BorchiUNESCO Transcultura Programme Coordinator

At the event, organized by the Centre des arts d'Enghien-les-Bains, young creators were also kept abreast of innovations in digital visual effects in the world, CGI (computer-generated imagery), motion capture, 3D and disruptive technologies in film, television, advertising, video games and transmedia.

The Caribbean's participation in this festival, facilitated by the cooperation with UNESCO and the European Union, contributes to building the capacities of a new generation of filmmakers, with a technical professionalization that allows them to expand their creativity.

Dominique RolandDirector of the Centre des arts d'Enghien-les-Bains

Through their participation in this festival, these young artists not only bring a Caribbean perspective, but also demonstrate the ability of visual effects to transcend borders and tell stories that resonate in the hearts of global audiences.

PIDS Enghien has helped the visibility of our work in markets where these specialties are more present within film, and this is essential to attract clients. In addition, the event has been crucial to update our skills and thus multiply our professional opportunities.

Ariel Carballo Figueroa (Cuba)Visual effects supervisor and digital compositor

Transcultura is a five-year cooperation initiative that promotes the rich cultural diversity of the Caribbean by supporting young cultural creators and professionals in the region. One of its main strategic lines of action is to encourage the presence of these young people at high-level events and festivals in Europe with the aim of enabling them to improve their professional network and access new markets.