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One of the top 10 schools worldwide in VFX, 3D animation and video games
In 2022, ARTFX was selected by The Rookies as the top ranking school in VFX and animation (for the 3rd year in a row) in the “production excellence” category, which recognizes the quality of graduation team-based projects.
ARTFX students’ graduation projects have been nominated in nearly 1,000 international festivals. They received 1 award at the VES Awards in 2019 and 2 Genie Awards for best student film (2018 and 2021) at the Paris Images Digital Summit (PIDS).
The independent school ARTFX was founded in 2004 in Montpellier by Gilbert Kiner, a French pioneer in special effects. He began his career in the 80s as a rigging editor for the private channel Canal+, before leaving for Mikros Image to shape the first “trick effects” department. Gilbert Kiner worked at Medialab Technology and then Mainstreet studios, where he supervised the visual effects of various feature films and commercials, working with directors such as Alain Resnais, Jean-Paul Goude, Jean-Baptiste Mondino, Mathieu Kassovitz, Bruno Dumont, Claire Denis, Peter Greenaway among others.
Eager to pass on his expertise, he surrounded himself with enthusiasts working in animation and special effects to found his own school – the first VFX school in France – after unsuccessful attempts to develop a curriculum within a public university. As technologies evolved, special effects, 3D animation and video game industries became increasingly intertwined. Similarly, digital technology has changed the manufacturing processes of 2D animation, which is making a powerful comeback. ARTFX has therefore developed its educational resources to train aspiring artists in these different professions, based on a common core curriculum.
Creation of the ARTFX school in Montpellier, with a course in 3D animation and special effects.
Co-creation of the Réseau des écoles d’animation (network of animation schools: RECA), of which ARTFX is still an active member.
The film ‘The Archiver’, directed by three ARTFX students, received rave online reviews and received one million views.
1st nomination of a film directed by ARTFX students at the VES awards (the equivalent of the special effects Oscars)
Video games course launch
Programming course launch at the request of studios, to train technical directors in video games and special effects.
Genie Awards for best student film 'The Endless' at the Paris Images Digital Summit
Foundation art class launch
ARTFX ranks 1st worldwide in special effects (The Rookies)
2D animation course launch
ARTFX is once again ranked as the school worldwide for special effects (The Rookies)
Opening of 2 campuses in Lille – Plaine Images and Paris – Enghien-les-bains (the Paris campus specializes in 3D animation and special effects)
March 2020: launch of the AKB (ARTFX Knowledge Base) digital flipped classroom platform
Genie Awards for best student film 'Time's Down' at the Paris Images Digital Summit
Opening of a student residence on the ARTFX campus in Montpellier (215 student apartments) and a private projection room
ARTFX is once again ranked as the top school worldwide for special effects and animation (The Rookies)
ARTFX winner of the "La Grande Fabrique de l'Image - France 2030" call for projects
Commissioning of the ARTFX campus in Lille - Plaine images, an 18,000 m2 building (school, film studios + student residence)
ARTFX has developed an original teaching approach, which prevents competition and encourages collaboration amongst students. Being a good team player is just as important as technical excellence and creativity necessary to produce a film or a video game. ARTFX courses combine traditional art disciplines (drawing, sculpture, photography, etc.) with training in the most advanced technologies (software and filming equipment). Graduated students make excellent technicians with an acute artistic awareness and solid knowledge of the entire film- or game-making process. Better still, they are equipped with the toolbox they need to continue learning in a rapidly evolving industry.
4master’s-degree program recognised by the State through registration in the Répertoire national des certifications professionnelles (national directory of professional certifications)
1100students (2022-2023 academic year)
3campuses in France
65nationalities
920current alumni (including 70% abroad)
50permanent staff members
80professors
86.5%of students satisfaction rate (according to a “Happy at School” study conducted in 2021 on 168 students)
The Team
Juliette LedouxChargée des Admissions et AlumniService AdmissionBiographie
Thomas SponyLead Texture LookdevÉquipe pédagogiqueBiographie
Charles ChoreinSuperviseur CGÉquipe pédagogiqueBiographie
Claire TrolléResponsable Pédagogique des Enseignements Artistiques en classe préparatoire et Année 1, intervenante en créativitéÉquipe pédagogiqueBiographie
Tiphaine Duflot (alias Mrs D)Responsable des étudiants internationaux Équipe pédagogiqueBiographie
Sophie MayeuxIntervenante Nuke compositing 3DBiographie
Robert WagtIntervenant en dessin d'observationBiographie
