ARTFX, RANKED AS ONE OF THE WORLD'S BEST SPECIAL EFFECTS SCHOOLS, CHOOSES THE LILLE METROPOLITAN AREA AND THE PLAINE IMAGES SITE OF EURACREATIVE #OPENINGBACKTOSCHOOL2020!

“I quickly sensed a genuine desire to champion the digital industry as the driving force of the region and to support this already mature ecosystem. The international positioning of the Lille metropolitan area, at the crossroads of major Northern European capitals, while being just one hour from Paris, also fosters a very interesting intercultural dynamic. Finally, I wanted a city rich in culture that offers a living environment conducive to the development of my students, and that is what I have found here. The Lille metropolitan area is a perfectly relevant destination for our establishment, and I am delighted with our upcoming opening.”

ARTFX: a valuable addition to the regional and local ecosystem

For Xavier Bertrand, president of the Hauts-de-France region, the arrival of ARTFX is an additional asset that fully contributes to the region's influence:

“For several years now, we have been actively supporting the development of the image industry in Hauts-de-France. We are building an entire ecosystem that encourages companies in the sector to set up operations and generates numerous jobs as well as future opportunities for young people training in these promising fields. Beyond this economic strategy, I also want to champion a particular vision of culture: that of a popular and modern culture, a culture accessible to all, and one that also gives a place to digital arts. Hauts-de-France is becoming a benchmark at the highest level in digital creation and French expertise, and we can be proud of that.”

Damien Castelain, president of the European Metropolis of Lille, also welcomes the arrival of ARTFX in the Lille metropolis and more specifically on Plaine Images as the result of 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 the leading organization for the Image sector in Hauts-de-France, has been committed for over 30 years to structuring and enriching 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.”

A popular school that is now recruiting!

ARTFX will take possession of its premises at Plaine Images to begin a phase of renovations to prepare the future spaces. The first class, with admissions starting on November 8, 2019, will consist of approximately 120 students who will join ARTFX Lille in September 2020. By 2025, the school will welcome between 300 and 400 students. These future talents will then go on to conquer the national and international stage, with the best hoping to join projects of the caliber of The Lion King, Game of Thrones, X-Men, Avengers, or Assassin's Creed…