AN INTERNATIONALLY recognized animation studio is expanding its operations in the Visayas, specifically in Cebu City.
Manila-based Toon City, which is recognized as one of the top animation studios in the Philippines and the world, is now looking at Cebu as a major source for animators.
Roderico Rene de Guzman, vice president for Toon City and chief operations officer of Toon City Academy (TCA) said developing Cebu as a major hub for animation could boost the industry’s goal of increasing animation earnings to one percent of the US$270 billion global animation industry.
At present, the country’s animation industry revenues stand at $20 million to $30 million.
Toon City, which ranked 22nd best in the world, is working with the likes of Disney, Warner Bros. and Universal Studios.
Juan Miguel del Rosario, president and chief executive officer of Toon City, noted there’s a huge demand for animators in the country due to the rising demand for animation from global entertainment companies.
“Toon City is looking for animators. There’s a lot of work, and we know for a fact that people in Cebu are very talented. And we would like to expand our reach by asking the young people of Cebu to join Toon City or Toon City Academy,” de Guzman said.
The TCA is the official training arm of Toon City, with veteran Filipino animators as instructors. It will start operations of its Cebu City facility by June this year.