BFX Competitions

BFX Competition
BFX Easter Jams
Caraciture Competition
BFX Game Jam
Sculpting Competition
Video Gallery

BFX Competition

The BFX Competition is a short animation competition. Participants are provided with scripts prepared by charity organisations. You have a 9-week online production period, to bring the briefs to life. Participating teams benefit from virtual mentor sessions with industry professionals and regular online meetings with the charities you choose to work with.

The normal length of the resulting film is 30 seconds. The competition is open to teams consisting of UK Higher Education students. All winners will be announced at the Awards Ceremony during the BFX Festival. 

We are delighted to be working with the following charities in 2023: 

The RNLI, The Dorset Ukrainian Community, Kushti Bok, Beyond Reflections, and National Park City Foundation. 

The BFX Easter Jam returned for its second year and once again partnered with the BU Animation Society.

Oleg Fryazinov, Principal Academic in Computer Animation and BFX organiser, said: “Game jams are common for gaming courses in universities, but animation jams and other short competitions are quite rare. ”

BU students had three weeks to create an artefact within the theme and benefit from two, two-hour Zoom sessions with industry mentors. Support this year came from Saga Alayyoubi of EPIC Games, Kate Gabriel of The Mill, Boyan Georgiev from DNEG, and Sian Warren of MPC Film. Kate and Boyan also represent Siggraph London, a non-profit, volunteer organisation for animators.

Here are the winning works, and runners-up across the three categories, the overarching theme was Life on Land with various subcategories.

Winner

On the theme of deforestation, Dario Splendido won the category of modelling and texturing with his render called Spirits of the Dead trees. Dario studies BSc (Hons) Games Design at Bournemouth University.

Runner-up

Radu Caraus was runner-up in the modelling and texturing category. Radu studies BA (Hons) Visual Effects at Bournemouth University.

Winner

Under the theme of extinction, the category of lighting and rendering was won by Josiah Naguar. Josiah studies BSc (Hons) Games Design at Bournemouth University.

Runner-up

Andria Theocharous was runner-up in the lighting and rendering category with his nebula painting illustration. Andria studies BA (Hons) Computer Animation Art & Design at Bournemouth University.

Winner

In the real-time art category Klaris Shtambari won with his piece entitled Invasive Species. Klaris Shtambari studies BSc (Hons) Games Design at Bournemouth University.

Runner-up

Lily Larsimont was runner-up in the real-time art category with her art animation called Baby Rainforest. Lily studies BA (Hons) Computer Animation Art and Design at Bournemouth University.

BFX Game Jam

This event takes place each year and usually takes place in the 3-days prior to the BFX Festival starting. More information will be released closer to the 2023 event.

Video Gallery

BFX has a 10-year history, a variety of competitions, and Game Jams have, and continue to be, hosted annually. Peruse through previous entries.

Caricature competition

The 10th annual BFX Festival in 2022 saw the inaugural Caricature competition take place. Entrants were invited to create a caricature of a visiting industry guest from the BFX Speaker Series.

Dara McGarry Caraciture

Dara McGarry Caraciture

Amy Backwell caraciture

Amy Backwell caraciture

Matt Traynar Caraciture

Matt Traynar Caraciture

Sculpting competition

Entrants had 30mins to speed sculpt either a human, creature or a cartoon of our choosing. Here are the two winners from 2022. 

Dylan Brandford

Lucas Meade