We’re thrilled to be attending CAFÉ Conference 2023!
Discover the latest in VFX and animation at this year’s CAFÉ Conference! Showcasing the talents of the industry while celebrating the richness of the work of local and international actors, CAFÉ brings professionals together to share their knowledge through technical conferences, business meetings, exclusive soirées, and more!
WHERE: Montréal, Quebec, Canada
WHEN: May 16th – 17th
TICKETS: Click here!
We have an exciting line-up of panels & presentations lined up at this year’s conference. Scroll for more!
Endure and Survive: Crafting the Post-Apocalyptic World of The Last of Us
Nick Marshall (DFX Supervisor) & Melaina Mace (CG Supervisor)
Tech Stage | Tuesday, May 16, 4:00 – 4:45 PM EDT
In this keynote session, DNEG’s DFX Supervisor Nick Marshall and CG Supervisor Melaina Mace will delve into the creative process behind bringing the post-apocalyptic world of The Last of Us to life through stunning visual effects. Nick and Melaina will offer an in-depth look at the VFX techniques used to create the photorealistic environments for the show. From Austin to Boston to Salt Lake City and Jackson Hole – the DNEG team grew ivy, constructed skylines, built mountains and destroyed buildings. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain exclusive insights into the VFX work that made HBO’s The Last of Us a visual masterpiece.
The Future of Rendering – Meeting the Demand for Realism and Complexity
Philipp Wolf (Executive-in-Charge – Corporate Strategy)
Tech Stage | Wednesday, May 17, 11:00 – 11:45 AM EDT
Join Philipp Wolf (Executive-in-charge – Corporate Strategy) as he moderates a panel discussion about the challenges of keeping up with the demand for greater realism and shot complexity, while reducing rendering’s high cost in time and resources.The panel will delve into the latest advancements in hardware and software development for rendering, how the panelists are working to improve rendering performance and efficiency while reducing costs and environmental impact. Additionally, they will also discuss the importance importance of collaboration across the industry in developing and implementing these solutions.
Collaborating for Innovation
Martine Bertrand (Senior Researcher AI)
Tech Stage | Wednesday, May 17, 1:00 – 1:45 PM EDT
Catch Martine Bertrand (Senior Researcher AI) in this interactive panel exploring the benefits of collaboration between VFX/Animation companies and academic institutions for research and development. We’ll examine the reasons why there are few collaborative R&D projects in our industry compared to related industries like video games, explore successful collaborative projects in Europe and discuss ways to foster more collaboration in Quebec and the rest of Canada.
We’ll encourage audience participation to generate concrete proposals for fostering applied research in the VFX and Animation industry. Our goal is to create a roadmap for stronger partnerships between companies, schools, universities, and government bodies to advance innovation and growth in this dynamic field.
Meet our Talent Acquisition team!
Education Zone
Living Space | May 16 & 17, 2:30 PM EDT
Presented by SYNTHÈSE, our DNEG Talent Acquisition teams are conducting mock interviews alongside specialized human resources agency, RHUM! Stop by for interview advice and demo reel reviews from VFX industry professionals.