Software outfit Foundry, is to support the ACCESS: VFX mentoring programme for a fourth year.
Created by ACCESS:VFX in 2019, the programme has seen a 155% increase in global sign ups since 2021 and today supports over 2,293 mentees to VFX, animation and gaming industry mentors.
ACCESS:VFX is a global non-profit organisation focused on driving inclusion and diversity in the VFX, animation and gaming industries.
The e-mentoring programme was created in 2019 and began with 100 mentees looking for routes into the industry. Now the initiative has partnered over 2,293 creatives aged 13 to 65 with dedicated mentors working in VFX, animation and gaming. The programme matches mentors and mentees in the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and recently expanded to mainland Europe with the support of new sponsor, Netflix.
ACCESS: VFX has added new updates to the programme for 2023 that includes a Q&A feature. Users fill out their details and can choose to sign up as a mentor or to ask the VFX community a question. The new feature means that those looking for one-off advice from professionals can quickly seek the answers to their questions without becoming a part of the programme.
“Our mentors’ remarkable work is crucial to help drive change. The VFX, animation and gaming industries are difficult to break into for those just starting out, and even more so for those with underprivileged backgrounds. Thanks to Foundry’s continued support we can keep providing the next generation with the necessary tools and skills for their creative careers, whether that’s nearby or the far corners of the world,” says Simon Devereux, Founder of ACCESS: VFX “Foundry’s collaboration is fundamental to the global growth of the e-mentorship scheme and our goal to diversify and expand the pool of talent across all disciplines.”
“At Foundry, we understand the significance of providing new talent with accessible tools and support to facilitate their job search, be it for students or lifelong learners. As part of our dedication to increasing accessibility for aspiring creatives from diverse backgrounds to grow and thrive in the industry, we are delighted to announce our continued support for the Access VFX mentor programme for the fourth consecutive year.” comments Jen Goldfinch, Senior Director of Marketing at Foundry.
Jon Creamer
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