A plethora of professional animators, students and artists from around the world are expected to be at the staging of the coveted KingstOOn 2016 Animation Conference and Film Festival.

Next year’s two day event, happening on March 12 and 13, in Kingston, Jamaica, promises to be a grand affair; offering an animation conference, competitions, marketplace and film festival  – the first Afrodescendant- themed animation film festival in the world.

Robert Reid, Animation Specialist with the Youth Employment in the Digital and Animation Industries Project through the Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining says “The event is meant to introduce the latest developments in the field of animation and catalyze the exchange of ideas and community of practice within the industry. The KingstOOn planning team has worked feverishly to provide something for everyone with activities in three groups: Learn, Earn and Display.

Reid notes that “These three groups will allow festival goers who are both emerging and seasoned animators to: learn about career opportunities in the field, network and exchange knowledge with peers, showcase their skills, creativity and ingenuity through competitions as well as get exposure to various high interest topics via workshops and seminars .”

KingstOOn is an initiative of The Government of Jamaica in collaboration with the World Bank and is intended to establish Jamaica as an animation hub in the Caribbean.

This festival solidifies the Ministry’s commitment to offering programs that are on the forefront of innovation and preparing our youth for in-demand careers, as well as supporting the local economy.
Submissions for KingstOON 2016 opened on Monday, November 30, 2015 and close on January 31, 2016.

To sign up and get full details about the 2016 KingstOON Festival visit www.kingstoonfest.com, www.facebook.com/kingstoonfest and https://twitter.com/kingstoonfest.