Toonz to open 10 animation academies

Buoyed by the success of its animation academies in Kolkata and Thiruvananthapuram, the Toonz Animation India-backed Asian School for Film and Media Studies (ASFMS) has firmed up plans to open around 10 animation schools in the country soon.

The Thiruvananthapuram Technopark-based premier animation company launched the ASFMS as a subsidiary firm recently as an entity functioning under the Toonz management.

Speaking with Business Standard here, Toonz Animation India chief executive officer P Jayakumar said each academy would involve an investment of Rs 1-2 crore. Initially, the company will target tier-II metros like Bangalore , Hyderabad and Ahmedabad to start the academies.

The company will have its second animation school in Thiruvananthapuram very soon in a leased building close to Technopark. It will be shifted to the Toonz facility at the Kinfra Film and Video Park in the city suburbs later.

In Kolkata, it operates in association with the West Bengal Electronics Development Corporation.

Jayakumar said the ASFMS was also planning to establish its presence abroad. "We are looking at Singapore, Dubai , China and Sri Lanka to open animation schools under the ASFMS," he added.

"There is a dearth of animation professionals in the country, and we wish to address that issue in an effective way. Further, with a lot of studios coming up in various parts of the country and abroad, there is a need for quality professionals to man them. Toonz's academies would churn out quality professionals through its schools that are soon due".