ARTFX is launching its training programs: special effects, animation & video games

An ideal location at the crossroads of Europe

Ideally located in the prestigious Plaine Images district , nestled between professional studios in various sectors and the film industry, as well as a startup incubator, the new ARTFX campus, created to meet the growing demands of studios, continues the values ​​upheld in Montpellier since 2004. Open to the outside world and working closely with industry stakeholders, the campus is designed to maximize the exceptional dynamism offered by its central location at the crossroads of Europe.

“The opening of this new campus is a fundamental step in ARTFX’s journey. It gives a real boost to our overall approach to development, innovation, and European collaborations, while allowing us to maintain our independence. And if this academic year can now begin, and under such favorable conditions despite the situation, it is thanks to the ARTFX team, who brought this project to fruition in record time within such a challenging context, and to the unwavering support, from the outset, of all our regional partners. We extend our sincere thanks to each and every one of them.”

explains Gilbert Kiner, the President of ARTFX.

An innovative flipped classroom approach

Designed around workshops led by professionals from around the world, ARTFX's teaching method empowers students to take ownership of their learning. Throughout their studies, they cultivate autonomy, curiosity, maturity, creativity, and technical skills.

In addition to technical skill and creativity, cohesion and teamwork are a central part of the school's pedagogy and DNA.

Advanced training programs at the Master's level (Bac +5), awarding the RNCP Level 7 qualification of Digital Filmmaker, recognized by the State

1. Master's Degree in New Cinema Technologies

2. Master's Degree in 3D and 2D Animation

3. Master's Degree in Visual Effects

4. Master's Degree in Video Games

5. Master's Degree in Video Game Programming & Visual Effects

Tuition

• Admission Test: Free
• Preparatory Year: €5,200
• First Year: €7,100
• Years 2 to 5: €8,100

For Xavier Bertrand, president of the Hauts-de-France region , the arrival of ARTFX contributes to the region's prestige:

“For several years, the Region has supported the development of the image industry in Hauts-de-France. It is also building an entire ecosystem that encourages companies in the sector to set up operations and generates jobs and opportunities for young people training in these professions. This project contributes to a vision of popular and modern culture, a culture accessible to all and which also gives a place to digital arts. Hauts-de-France is becoming a benchmark at the highest level in terms of digital creation and French know-how.”

Damien Castelain, president of the European Metropolis of Lille , also welcomes the arrival of ARTFX in the Lille metropolis and more particularly on the Plaine Images as the result of the collective work carried out on the attractiveness of the territory:

“Metropolitan appeal is at the heart of all our actions: when we develop and manage a center of excellence dedicated to creative industries like Plaine Images, it is to fully realize our ambition: to showcase our expertise in Europe. The arrival of an internationally renowned school like ArtFX allows us to attract students from all over the world and to raise our profile with studios. This is how we intend to strengthen our influence: Hello ArtFX!”

Guillaume Delbar, President of Pictanovo and Mayor of Roubaix , emphasizes the beneficial contribution of ARTFX to the regional and metropolitan ecosystem and the positive message sent to the talents of tomorrow:

“The creative industries sector is transforming and evolving, and today represents a significant part of our regional economy. Pictanovo, as a center of excellence for the Image sector in Hauts-de-France, has been working for over 30 years to structure and enrich the regional ecosystem, which must be competitive and attractive internationally. Welcoming ARTFX here in Roubaix, at the very heart of the regional and metropolitan dynamic around audiovisual, film, and animation, offers young people in our region an additional opportunity to acquire advanced skills in the fields of special effects, animation, and video games, and perhaps even inspire them to become entrepreneurs.”

According to Doriane Becue, Mayor of Tourcoing:

“ARTFX’s arrival in Tourcoing is a powerful signal for our city. The arrival of a school ranked among the best in the world in a prime location enriches the already highly sought-after digital arts offerings in the professional world. With the companies in Plaine Images dedicated to creative industries, a real synergy is emerging, showcasing French expertise in the digital economy. From training to employment, ARTFX’s presence is an extraordinary opportunity for students, employees, businesses, retailers, and residents. ARTFX, welcome to Tourcoing!”

Pierre-Henry Laporterie, appointed last July as head of ARTFX Lille – Plaine Images , is in charge of the teaching and life of the school with a team of 3 dedicated permanent staff and about twenty professional teachers and speakers, supported by the support services located in Montpellier.

About Pierre-Henry Laporterie

Initially trained in fine arts, Pierre-Henry Laporterie began his career in video games at Ubisoft and Etranges Libellule between 1998 and 2005.
For seven years, he progressed through various roles (3D artist, 2D designer, and art director) on AAA projects. This experience allowed him to acquire significant expertise in video game production.

Between 2005 and 2019, his career continued in animated feature films. He participated in various international and national projects for Universal, DreamWorks, Illumination Mac Guff, Onanimation, Folivari, and others, including Sylvain Chomet's "The Illusionist." He worked on the animated storyboard, developed the character designs, and created the film's sets at the studio based in Edinburgh, Scotland. The film was nominated for an Oscar and won a César Award in 2011. Alongside his professional work, Pierre-Henry Laporterie has a passion for teaching. For nearly ten years, he taught at animation schools such as Gobelins, Emile Cohl, Rubika, and ESAAT, helping to supervise final-year projects and leading concept/design workshops. In 2014, these experiences led him to take on the role of educational coordinator and oversee the development of the Paris campus for animation at the ECV school. Between 2014 and 2020, he also took responsibility for the animation course at the school's Lille campus.

Press contacts

ARTFX: Véronique DUMON, Press Officer | +33 6 20 32 01 15 | veronique.d@adalbert-rp.fr
Hauts-de-France Region: Sébastien VOISIN, Director of Communication and Public Relations | 03 74 27 48 88 / +33 6 47 67 14 26 | sebastien.voisin@hautsdefrance.fr
European Metropolis of Lille: Charlotte ROUSSEL, Press Officer | croussel@lillemetropole.fr | 03 20 21 67 82
Roubaix City Hall: Cédric GIRARD, Director of Communication and Events | cgirard@ville-roubaix.fr | 03 20 66 46 85
Mayor of Tourcoing: Astrid CHASTAN, Press Officer | achastan@ville-tourcoing.fr | 03.20.23.37.23
EuraCreative: Véronique DESAMAISON, Marketing & Communications Manager | vdesamaison@euracreative.fr
Pictanovo: Marianne BEAREZ, Communications Manager | mbearez@pictanovo.com | 06 37 10 54 43
Lille's agency: Laura DE MENDONCA, Communications Officer | l.demendonca@lillesagency.com | 06 17 72 61 27