TUNIS: The screen goes black and the group of Tunisia youngsters smile as the lights go on. They just watched Avatar at a special screening at one of Tunisia's newly established digital centers. The 3D imagery is captivating to the young crowd of animators. They believe they have just witnessed the future. “Wow, this was something. So vivid and full of colors,” said Yussif Sabry, a 22-year-old recent computer science graduate from England who focused on animation techniques. “We were taught 3D, but this takes it to the next level and I can't wait to get this going in Tunisia and the Arab world.” It is coming sooner rather than later. Tunisia will host 5th Digital Animation Festival (FAN2010) with a focus on 3D technology on May 29-30. According to organizers fo the event, it will be a platform for the exchange of ideas and the recent applications of 3D animation and special effects. The festival is part of the country's continued efforts to bolster the digital sector in the country and they believe that with the global success of Avatar, it is a perfect time to highlight 3D technology and get young people moving toward new means of implementing these sort of creative endeavors. “We have the ability and manpower of the younger generation who wants to be involved in the global drive to have better films and animation,” began Toufic ben Chaheen, a technology consultant with the government, “so why not push this. It can only improve our already amazing creative means. There hasn't been a real animation film in the Arab world, so let's start the ball rolling.” The festival is being organized by the Nabeul Digital Solidarity Association in partnership with the Belgian Synthesis Association, the Autodesk Company and the Cgitrainer and Netinfo training centers. For Sabry and his colleagues it will be an opportunity to see, hear and meet some of the best audiovisual productions in the world. The festival will include professional showings, 3D filmmaking techniques, employment exchange and, of course, screenings of 3D films. “I am so excited about this festival and getting the ability to view and listen to some of the world's leaders on 3D. Tunisia is important to my heart and it is great that we are finally looking closer to home on these projects,” Sabry added. FAN 2010 will showcase a number of 3D and special digital effects applications, including industry, design, film, advertising, architecture and medicine. Chaheen believes it is an important first step into enabling the Arab World to have this sort of technology readily available and a means of getting young people involved in the work that they want to do without having to leave the country. “We believe that for many young tech-savvy people in this country and around the region, staying home is important to our future success. Hopefully, with this festival and future ones like it, we can get young people to realize their dreams here, instead of in Europe or the United States,” he said. BM
