Professionals are encouraged to attend this collaborative event where CASO, VES, TAAFI and Ontario Creates will share updates on their efforts to support the industry, feature guest speakers, and wrap up with round table/virtual breakout sessions to engage attendees on questions/topics impacting the industry.
This event is targeted to the professional VFX community only as experience is essential to the conversation.
Studios are encouraged to allow in-person and virtual attendance
Many thanks to Host Sponsor CIBC Entertainment Banking
The Ontario Computer Animation and Special Effects (OCASE) tax credit is currently a vendor-based incentive, the only one of its kind in the world. CASO recently conducted a survey to gather Membership feedback on expanding OCASE eligibility to include both producers and vendors. A subcommittee of members reviewed the results and debated whether to maintain the current approach, broaden eligibility, or transition OCASE into a producer-focused tax credit.
The CASO Board strongly urges all Members to join the Virtual Town Hall January 8th, 2026 at Noon to hear the pros and cons of the subcommittee's suggested approach.
Read MoreThis year’s State of the Industry panel explores Canada’s potential in a rapidly evolving global animation landscape.
Speakers
Wes Lui - Co-General Manager House of Cool Inc./Wildbrain
Dan Fill - President, Dark Slope Studios
Tamara Boutcher - Head of Feature Animation Production, Cinesite
Andrew Pelekis - CEO, Claynosaurz
Moderator- Virginie Lavallee - Co-Founder, The Happy Producers
Read MoreCASO Members are welcome to attend the 2025 CASO AGM, where they will vote on a new Board, hear about accomplishments and priorities and mingle with guests.
Read MoreReturning this summer, the highly successful Computer Animation Studios of Ontario Production Management for Animation and VFX Workshop Series.
Hosted virtually by The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University and in partnership with The Creative School Pro the CASO PM Workshop Series provides real-world professional mentorship in production management upskilling!
Starting July 7th and running virtually 6-8 pm Monday-Thursday for 8 weeks, the team will guide participants through four production-ready workshops: Foundations, Budgeting/Scheduling, Technical Pipelines and full Production. Each workshop is $500 and by completing all four, candidates are qualified as a Production Manager, ready for any CASO partner studio!
SPECIAL CASO Studio Price $400/workshop.
Use Discount Code: CASO20SUMMEROFF25
Sign up someone from your studio and help them advance their career in production management.
Join us Wednesday May 14th, 9:30-11:30am for a CASO Members meeting at the Ontario Investment and Trade Center, 250 Yonge Street, Toronto to discuss the unprecedented state of the animation and vfx industry.
Please ensure a representative from your studio is in attendance so your voice can be heard as we openly discuss the issues at hand.
CASO's GR firm, Sussex's federal team is meeting with Finance Canada on Friday, where we hope to get more information on Trump's tariff. They are expecting greater clarity following tomorrow's meeting between Carney and Trump and will keep the CASO Board informed. In addition, CASO has scheduled calls this week with government and industry stakeholders to exchange knowledge, gain insights and explore solutions aimed at fostering recovery and growth.
Next week we need to hear input from your studio.
CASO, VES Toronto and TAAFI collaborated to bring together a TOWN HALL event. In it we discuss the current and future state of the animation/vfx industry to ensure realities are heard, opportunities are known and problems have solutions, as together we plot a path forward.
Many thanks to our host - Creative School Pro @ TMU
Read MoreCASO, VES Toronto, and TAAFIare collaborating to bring together an Animation/VFX Town Hall event in an ongoing effort to share information as we work to improve industry stability and encourage all members of the community to contribute to the conversation.
Event is in-person (limited seating), online and recorded.
Presentation/Panel Discussion 7 - 8:30pm
As the global marketplace for animation faces ongoing shifts and slowdowns, studios are confronted with the need to make critical decisions on how to navigate these challenging times. This panel brings together industry leaders from the Computer Animation Studios of Ontario to discuss the strategies studios are using to adapt and thrive. From sticking with traditional production models to exploring new markets and diversifying services, this discussion will reveal how Ontario studios are positioning themselves to remain competitive and innovative in a constantly changing industry.
Read MoreUnderstand and practice project management principles and practices for digital entertainment production including animation, gaming VFX, and film. Qualify as a Production Lead or Manager within the CASO Studio network in Ontario immediately after the completion of all four workshops. Don’t miss a chance to gain competitive skills that are highly sought after in the digital entertainment industry today!
Workshop 1: Fundamentals of Production Management (Fundamentals)
Workshop 2: Production Finance, Scheduling & Budgeting (Business)
Workshop 3: Creative & Technical Production Pipelines (Processes)
Workshop 4: Production Planning (Operations)
Come and meet some talented folks from our CASO studios at the TAAFIxCASO Job Fair.
Don’t forget to put your profile on the New CASO Job Portal and watch for great job postings
Read MoreJoin us May 14th to Help Establish Priorities to Keep CASO Working for You
Ensure your studio has…
- A voice with key government policy makers
- Access and input on professional development opportunities
- Participation in marketing that promotes growth and international competitiveness.
Read MoreThis workshop will explore the fundamental principles of Project Management, examining the mindset and skillset needed to manage Animation and VFX projects successfully. Participants will gain an understanding of Animation and VFX pipelines and the role of Production Management within the production framework. Learn the fundamentals in managing people, schedules, budgets and resources as well as the importance of planning, tracking, problem-solving and communication. Discover how effective Production Management leads to the smooth delivery of projects on time and on budget, fosters teamwork and contributes to a happy and healthy work environment for the entire production team.
Read MoreOn April 24th two CASO studios leads, pioneering the integration of artificial intelligence into their studios work, sat down to discuss how A.I. is reshaping the animation and visual effects industry in Ontario.
Special thanks to Jonathan Bronfman of Monsters Aliens Robots Zombies for representing visual effects, Eran Barel of Snowball Studios for representing animation and Ben McEvoy of Friends and Enemies who has hosted many discussion on this topic.
At our February 1st webinar we delved into how studios are redefining talent management and development strategies to align with industry changes and new advancements, identifying the skills that will be pivotal in the coming years and how we, as a community can collaboratively foster these abilities to ensure our collective growth and success in Ontario's film and animation industry.
Read MoreOn October 25 representatives from CASO studios, VES Toronto and HOMAD - Heads of Media Art and Design joined for a virtual discussion on how to bridge the gaps in education for our animation and vfx graduates to ensure student success and shorten the length of time to productivity for studios.
Read MoreFeaturing:
Len Pendergast - Global Incentives
Paul Moyer - Eggplant Picture & Sound
Nick Iannelli - Take 5 Productions
Moderator & CASO Co-Chair Matt Bishop - Sinking Ship Entertainment
Read MoreJoin CASO members at the Gladstone Hotel June 6th for AGM 2023. Don’t miss the special guest - Neil Lumsden, Minister of Tourism, sports and Culture. Honored guests will arrive post the AGM meeting for networking and cocktails.
Read MoreNavigating a Career in Animation
Featuring: Sue Jung - Head of Talent Acquisition, Guru Studios, Joe Giampapa - Head of Story, House of Cool, Morena Protti - Modelling Lead, Guru Studio, Terry Bradley - VFX Supervisor/Head of Studio, Sinking Ship Entertainment
Read MoreJoin our studios, valued partners and colleagues at the 2023 TAAFIxCASO Animation Job Fair
Booth Discounts Available for CASO Member Studios
To learn more visit https://www.taafi.com/jobfair/2023/
Read More