DNEG Group, a visual effects studio and entertainment services technology company known for its work on “Dune” and “Oppenheimer,” has acquired Prime Focus Technologies, an AI-powered media tech company.
The acquisition aims to help the Group leverage PFT’s media workflow and automation software suite, Clear and Clear AI, to offer streaming platforms, studios, broadcasters and brands transformational solutions to help manage content, video collaboration and automation in the content production and distribution process.
“Acquiring the software-as-a-service business of PFT advances the DNEG Group’s status as an end-to-end solutions provider, enabling its expansion into media tech and distribution services, including fulfillment, localization and marketing, and allowing the Group’s worldwide M&E client base to realize the financial, operational and strategic benefits of managing the entire lifecycle of their content with one trusted partner,” according to the statement.
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The completion of the acquisition follows the announcement last week of a $200 million investment in the DNEG Group by leading Abu Dhabi-based investor United Al Saqer Group. The investment helped launch the company’s new division, Brahma, which is developing a “comprehensive AI-powered, photo-real CGI creator which will democratize photo-real content creation in a wide range of applications.”
American Film Institute Announces Recipients of the 2024-25 Canva Fellowship at the AFI Conservatory
The American Film Insitute announced the recipients of the 2024-2025 Canva Fellowship at the AFI Conservatory.
Eliana Alcouloumre (Directing), Katheryn “Silas” Croddy (Cinematography), Frida Gonzalez (Editing), Cierra Hendrix (Producing), Khairi Reynolds (Production Design) and Lindsay “Elle” Tilden (Screenwriting) are the six recipients. Over the course of their two-year AFI Conservatory MFA program each will receive a $40,000 scholarship, with a total of $240,000 awarded to the six recipients.
The Fellows will attend the AFI Conservatory starting this fall.
For the second year in a row, Canva has joined with AFI to further their shared mission to educate and inspire the next generation of filmmakers to create visually impactful work. The scholarship will support one Fellow from each of the six disciplines at the AFI Conservatory: Cinematography, Directing, Editing, Producing, Production Design and Screenwriting.
“The AFI Conservatory is dedicated to educating emerging filmmakers, both in the art of filmmaking and how to become leaders in their creative communities,” said Susan Ruskin, Dean of the AFI Conservatory. “We are grateful that Canva continues to collaborate with us to create new opportunities for our AFI filmmakers as they share their voices and diverse stories with the world.”
The inaugural recipients of The Canva Fellowship at the AFI Conservatory recently completed their first year at the AFI Conservatory and shared their thoughts about their creative journey. View video.
“We’re thrilled to partner with AFI for a second year to support this talented group of creatives in taking their careers to new heights. This program is close to our hearts at Canva because we believe in the power of visual storytelling to transform and inspire. Each of these recipients represents a unique voice and vision that we are excited to see flourish,” said Kristine Segrist, Global Head of Consumer Marketing at Canva.
The American Pavilion Student Program to Launch in Australia
The American Pavilion is expanding its student program to Sydney, Australia, where its AmPav student intensive will launch at SXSW-Sydney in October.
The program, taking place from Oct. 13 through 21, will offer exclusive access to festival activities at SXSW Sydney, networking opportunities, cultural exploration in Australia and industry insights from leaders across film, music, technology, interactive media and more.
Applications for the program are now open for university film, media, business, journalism, event, culinary and hospitality students and recent graduates. For more information about the intensive, visit The American Pavilion website.
