Industry Talks
2020 archive

Grab a rare opportunity to listen to and interact with the top professionals in the industry! BLON Industry Talks are aimed at common areas of video games and animation. Our guests will speak about storytelling, world building and art development for video games, and what inspired them to choose this unique medium. They will explore the worlds of animation and game distribution, and reveal the success stories behind internationally renowned VR experiences. We hope that the speakers' experiences and insights will inspire others to step into this world, in which everyone can become a creator.

Immersing the audience into legacy with VR
Immersing the audience into legacy with VR

12 Sept, 11:00

Join a free walking tour around VR exhibition and also listen to virtual talk to one of the authors – Javier Garcia-Lajara. Sixteen thousand years ago, a group of humans came back to their seasonal shelter in the north of Spain after a harsh hunting season. However, the entrance had collapsed keeping all their objects, paintings and memories untouched. Until today. <b>Memoria</b> is the bridge between our paleolithic heritage and our present technologies. Javier will explain how they used real-time 3D game engines, photogrammetry, and programming techniques to bring the viewer into ancient caves in virtual reality.

Javier Garcia-Lajara

Javier Garcia-Lajara

Javier Garcia-Lajara has more than 20 years of experience working with digital graphics, first in the most important video game companies in Spain like PyroStudios, creators of Commandos saga and Planet 51, and in the last 5 years focusing his activity in Virtual Reality production. Former Future Lighthouse 3D Dept. Director, creators of many award-winning productions like Melita, Snatch VR, El Ministerio del Tiempo. Specialist in real time 3D production and photogrammetry, Unity and Unreal expertise. Now running his own production company, Overlat. <a href="http://overlat.com">overlat.com</a>

How to produce a high-grossing low budget film
presentation
How to produce a high-grossing low budget film

12 Sept, 13:00

Thorbjørn Christoffersen and Anders Mastrup will talk about the creative challenges in the production of Chequered Ninja in the perspective of keeping the budget low. Also, how to finance, plan and produce a low budget film like Chequered Ninja.

Anders Mastrup

Anders Mastrup

Anders Mastrup (b. 1957) is educated in history, but by accident he ended up as an animation producer. During his student time he participated in and organized radio programming, documentary films, cultural festivals and …….. In 1985 Anders started on the animated feature film “Valhalla”. In 1988, together with 4 animators, he started A. Film. A. Film has ever since been doing feature films, tv series, short films and commercials (all animated). Anders has various credits on films like “FernGully, The last rainforest”, “All Dogs goes to Heaven 2” and “Quest for Camelot”. And he holds producer/exec. producer credits on films like: “Jungo”, “Asterix and the Vikings”, “Luis and the Aliens”, “Up and Away”, “Albert”, “The incredible story of the Giant Pear”, “Pettson & Findus –Pettson’s promise”, “Terkel in Trouble, “Niko and the way to the Stars” and “Chequered Ninja”.

Thorbjørn Christoffersen

Thorbjørn Christoffersen

Thorbjørn Christoffersen (b. 1978) is a self-taught animator and illustrator. He made his debut as a co-director on the film “Terkel inTrouble” (2004) and has since, among other things also co-directed the huge success “Chequeredt Ninja” (2018) together with Anders Matthesen. He also works as an illustrator in collaboration with the author Thomas Brunstrøm. The two have created more than a handful of picture books in the series about Sally's father, which has become a big hit with Danish families with children.

Is it Time for Politically Conscious Games?
presentation
Is it Time for Politically Conscious Games?

12 Sept, 15:00

Since 2014, there has been a certain political realignment in the Western videogames industry. With that, there are plenty of takes as to what it means to be creating videogames politically. The talk would look into some examples of the 20th century conceptual fine art and compare it with the way we do political games. What's effective, what are the possibilities, what's the importance of the modes of production in this realm? Videogames industry campaigner Marijam Didžgalvytė will dive into the state of the discourse around politics in videogames and will assess what are the best examples of ideological affiliations being inflicted on cultural objects. Hear why Untitled Goose Game or Eve Online are better instruments for politics than Papers, Please.

Marijam Didžgalvytė

Marijam Didžgalvytė

Marijam is a writer on video games / technology and politics whose work has been published on GamesIndustry.biz, Kotaku, Novara Media, Waypoint and many others.

Open Mic
presentation
Open Mic

12 Sept, 20:00

An interactive networking evening during which a microphone will be presented for three minutes to anyone who wants to introduce themselves, present their companies, projects, ideas, find like-minded people or colleagues.

Lithuanian Gamedev Industry Overview
presentation
Lithuanian Gamedev Industry Overview

12 Sept, 17:00

“Lithuanian Game Developers Association” (LŽKA) for the last several months conducted a research of Lithuanian games industry, and together with “Lithuanian Innovation Center” prepared a detailed overview of the industry and recommendations for its growth. Ričardas will share the main facts about the current situation and ideas for the future.

Ričardas Jaščemskas

Ričardas Jaščemskas

Following games industry inside and out for more than 20 years. From writing and editing gaming magazines to covering social media, events and communications for several Lithuanian game development studios.

Puppy's Adventure In Hollywood
presentation
Puppy's Adventure In Hollywood

12 Sept, 23:00

This is a presentation of animation film in development PUPPY BITES BACK, which began as short film, but after visiting Hollywood ambitiously grew in to series. Gediminas will share initial sketches, pre-production stages, working experience with Kaz Prapuolenis and insights of effort to pitch this project to US TV channels.

Gediminas Šiaulys

Gediminas Šiaulys

Gediminas's works have gained recognition at some of the world’s leading art and design magazines and have become a synonym for the “New Eastern European Design”. In 2009 Canadian magazine Boards included PetPunk in the top 6 of its “New Wave of Designers”, and in 2010 leading UK's design magazine Computer Arts featured PetPunk as “The New Wave of Animation”. Gediminas Šiaulys, together with PetPunk, are the first Lithuanians to win the “Young Guns” prize from the Art Directors Club of New York and have also been invited to numerous international festivals. These include the European Design Conference (Stockholm), Visuelt (Oslo), Picotplasma (Berlin), Onedotzero (London), Anima (Brussels), Arsenale (Florence), the Holland Animation Film Festival (Utrecht), Anima Mundi (Brazil), Zlin (Czech Republic) and many others.

Making of AWAY
presentation
Making of AWAY

13 Sept, 01:00

In the presentation Gints Zilbalodis will talk about how he made his first feature film AWAY by himself. What led up to it, lessons learned and what he is working on next.

Gints Zilbalodis

Gints Zilbalodis

Gints Zilbalodis (1994) is a Latvian filmmaker and animator. His fascination for filmmaking began at an early age watching classic films and making shorts and commercials. He has made 7 short films in various mediums including hand-drawn animation, 3D animation and live-action and often mixing their characteristic aesthetics.

Award Ceremony
Award Ceremony

13 Sept, 18:00

Announcement of the Winner of the International Competition Programme, the award will be handed over by the International Jury for the Best Animated Short Film 2020. Also, the Lithuanian Animation Association will present the Annual Lithuanian Animation Artist Award.

Let's play!
Let's play!

13 Sept, 20:30

Time to play and find out, how good you are in animation and video games. Take part in the quiz individually or with your colleagues and prove that you are the best!

I have an idea! What's next?
talk
I have an idea! What's next?

13 Sept, 03:30

During the discussion, representatives of the Lithuanian Film Center, Creative Europe Desk Lithuania MEDIA office, the Lithuanian Council for Culture, the Agency for Science, Innovation and Technology will talk about the possibilities for animation and video games in Lithuania and how to finance the idea you have.

Let's Talk About Game Design
talk
Let's Talk About Game Design

13 Sept, 08:00

Talented and experienced game designers will share their thoughts and ideas in a discussion about modern gameplay, its creative challenges and will try to answer the all-important question – "What does a player want?". Tough questions from the audience are more than welcome!

Gediminas Tarasevičius

Gediminas Tarasevičius

Discussion moderator. Experienced and versatile game designer, game culture expert. Director of "Lithuanian Game Developers Association".

Laurynas Vainius

Laurynas Vainius

A veteran of game design, currently developing the first Lithuanian slasher in a newly formed studio "Golem House".

Dmitrijus Babičius

Dmitrijus Babičius

The expert of minimalist game design, creator of "PyroMind", "The Final Riddle" and other uniquely designed games.

Born for VR: Making Wonderful You
Born for VR: Making Wonderful You

13 Sept, 10:00

<a href="http://www.jameswpollock.com">by James Pollock</a> Created by BDH Immersive, Wonderful You is a virtual reality journey through the strange world of your developing senses; sight, sound, touch, taste and smell. Wonderful You is your story – a journey through your epic first 9 months of life in your mother’s womb. Join immersive designer James Pollock as he talks about the challenges faced and lessons learned in creating BDH's biggest VR experience to date, as well as the audience response since its release.

James Pollock

James Pollock

James Pollock is an immersive media designer and multidisciplinary creative based in Bristol, England. Since working at creative studio Burrell Durrant Hifle, James has lead design on a number of virtual reality projects, from science and nature documentaries, to rollercosters through famous surrealist paintings, to interactive live-action dramas. His role involves working through projects from early concepts, throughout production and release, leading design and coordinating development efforts. <a href="http://jameswpollock.com">jameswpollock.com</a> <a href="http://bdh.net/immersive">bdh.net/immersive</a>

How Heretic was made
presentation
How Heretic was made

13 Sept, 13:00

Dominykas will tell us how their team has created Heretic demo. We will cover various technical pillars of the demo - from special effects to realistic human rendering.

Dominykas Kiauleikis

Dominykas Kiauleikis

Dominykas has been working in Unity Demo Team since creation The Blacksmith Demo (2015). He has worked on The Adam, Book of the Dead and Heretic demos.

Flying Solo or One Man Band
talk
Flying Solo or One Man Band

13 Sept, 15:00

A fireside chat dedicated to developers who create the games only by themselves. The creators of hit games will talk about why they chose such a lonely path, their daily life, challenges and achievements.

Arvydas Žemaitis

Arvydas Žemaitis

Successful solo game creator in Lithuania, who found his loyal audience with management style games and has released five projects globally for PC/VR/PS4/XBOX platforms.

Aurimas Garuolis

Aurimas Garuolis

The creator of piggish games, responsible for dozen titles, such as "Iron Snout", "Bacon May Die" and the latest "Card Hog".

Andrius Jovaiša

Andrius Jovaiša

Fireside chat moderator. A veteran technology journalist and avid games fan, creator of podcasts and radio shows.

Aivaras Klimas

Aivaras Klimas

Žaidimų kūrėjas pradėjęs veiklą 2013-ais metais. Sukūrė „Sector Six“ - šaudyklę su RPG elementais, šiuo metu kuria RPG „Light of the Locked World“. Meilė žaidimams gimė bežaidžiant Flash žaidimus, „RuneScape“ ir „Maximos“ lentynų klasiką: „Silverfall“, „Beyond Good & Evil“, „Akimbo: Kung-Fu Hero“.

Coffe with Artists
Coffe with Artists

13 Sept, 23:30

Cozy and informal talk with Lithuanian animation directors about their work and all the dirty secrets of animation industry.

Chintis Lundgren

Chintis Lundgren

Chintis Lundgren is an Estonian-born animator currently living in Croatia. Self-taught, Lundgren’s body of work includes an assortment of quirky music videos, PSAs and short films featuring a light, absurdist tone along with distinct anthropomorphic characters. In 2011, Lundgren created her own animation studio called Chintis Lundgreni Animatsioonistuudio and later co-founded Adriatic Animation, an animation studio based in Croatia. Her films (including the award-winning shorts, Manivald (2017) and Life with Herman H. Rott (2015)) have screened at numerous international festivals including Sundance, Annecy, Animafest Zagreb, Hiroshima and Ottawa.

Jon Frickey

Jon Frickey

After being awarded his Diploma in Communications Design from the HAW Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, Jon worked as Art Director with Scholz und Friends Berlin. Since 2006, he has been a freelance animation director and illustrator. He wrote and animated more than 50 contributions for the satirical TV show extra3. With the production company SFA, which he founded together with Till Penzek, he has produced animations for WDR Quarks und Co., Arte Karambolage, Sesame Street (NDR / KiKa), etc. His short film CAT DAYS/NEKO NO HI premiered at the 2018 Berlinale. The animation film has received numerous international awards, including two prizes at FILMFEST DRESDEN, and qualified for the Academy Awards. CAT DAYS was nominated for the German Short Film Prize and the European Animation Awards. Jon Frickey regularly does illustrations for magazines, packaging and advertising, for which he has received ADC awards. Jon Frickey lives and works in Hamburg.

Kaspar Jancis

Kaspar Jancis

Born on May 8, 1975 in Tallinn. He has been interested since childhood in drawing comic strips and writing stories for which he made illustrations himself. His first moving pictures came into being in the corners of his school notebooks. Later in his school years, his brother’s friend, who was a member of a film club, helped him make a short plasticine puppet animated film. This was followed by a two-year period as a working youth, which was not particularly educational, but was brimming with adventures. During that time he began working systematically with music. He has been part of the creative core of several rock groups, written song lyrics, made arrangements and created tunes. He enrolled at the Tallinn Pedagogical University in 1996. He completed his first films at that school – the silent film “Dr. Maisarve and the Matshalka Case” (1996) and the cutout puppet film “Flight of the Little White Helicopter” (1996), which was screened at rock concerts and also on television. He transferred from the Pedagogical University to the Turku Arts and Media School in Finland in 1997 to study animation under the guidance of Priit Pärn. He made his debut film “Romance” (1999) in Turku, and it has participated in several international film festivals.

Malte Stein

Malte Stein

Malte Stein is an independent animation film maker and writer based in Berlin. In 2013, he graduated from the University of Film and Television “Konrad Wolf” in Potsdam Babelsberg with a diploma of animation. Before that, he studied scriptwriting and draw a lot of comic stories since the 90`s. He is currently working on two independent animation films. His films “Blue Dream” from 2013 and “Flood” from 2018 were screened on many Festivals all over the world and won quite a number of Awards.

Elli Vuorinen

Elli Vuorinen

Elli Vuorinen is an independent animation director, who lives and works in rural Finland. Her works often balance between surreal, delightful and disgusting. Although her approach is often humoristic the films deal with significant themes of melancholy, solitude and hope. Elli's style is versatile - blending of minimal and handcrafted, she creates works that are playful and bold. Different animation techniques inspire her work. Elli's farm studio allows her to work with everything between large scale stop motion to 2D computer animation. She graduated as an Animation Director from Turku Arts Academy. Her five previous films have been shown at various festivals and won numerous awards. She has done many commissioned works and worked in several TV and film productions as a animator, editor, director and designer.

Lizete Upīte

Lizete Upīte

Born in 1987, Lizete Upīte is an animation film director from Latvia. Lizete began her studies in audiovisual media in Baltic Film and Media school, Estonia, but after Erasmus exchange studies in Portugal, changed her major to animation. In 2013, after finishing school of directing animation La Poudrière in France, Lizete has been working on several animation projects as well as directed her two animation short films "Night Walks" (2018, produced by Atom Art (Latvia)) and "Riga's Lilac" (2019, coproduced by Papy3D (France) and Atom Art (Latvia)).

Moritz Biene

Moritz Biene

Moritz Biene is a Berlin based animation artist. He studied animation at Film University Konrad Wolf Potsdam Babelsberg. For more than nine years he works in animation, contributing to many different projects, ranging from commercial Videos to TV-series and Computer Games.

Piotr Milczarek

Piotr Milczarek

Piotr Milczarek was born and lives in Lodz. He studied animation and special effects at the Film School in Lodz, where he is currently working as an assistant. He has directed short films such as 'The Comic Book,' 'The War of the Worlds,' 'Mr Mister' and The Cockroach." He has also cowritten the script for 'Moonshine' by Michał Poniedzielski, cooperated on the award-winning 'Switeź' by Kamil Pola (storyboard, artwork), as well as worked as an animator of Balbina Bruszewska's 'The City is Flowing' and Magdalena Osińska's 'Little Joys.' Otherwise, he creates storyboards for commercials

Gediminas Skyrius

Gediminas Skyrius

Gediminas is an illustrator, working in the fields of animation, concept art, games, books and prints. He was the background artist for "Snow Shelter", and many other animated films. Gediminas is also a big fan of fantasy and sci-fi art, architecture and basketball.

Pijus Balkaitis

Pijus Balkaitis

Pijus Balkaitis, born 1991, animation BA at Vilnius Academy of Arts, works with 2D animation and graphics.

Pijus Čeikauskas

Pijus Čeikauskas

1995 born in Vilnius. 2012 finished Eduardas Balsys gymnasium of Arts in Klaipeda with an animated short OPEN-HEARTED TREE. 2017 finished BA animation degree in Vilnius Academy of Arts with an animated documentary short HOLY ROUTINE. Currently studying MA Graphics in Vilnius Academy of Arts. Full package of animator, illustrator, street artist and visual artist also known as Pidžin.

The ABC of Animation: peculiarities of production in Lithuania
The ABC of Animation: peculiarities of production in Lithuania

14 Sept, 02:00

Why three minutes of animation takes three years? Animation production in Lithuania. The diferences between drawn and puppet animation? The differences between illustrator and animator? What does stop motion mean? How much does the animated film cost? Cosy and informal discussion with experienced producers: Agnė Adomėnė, Marija Razgutė, Giedrė Burokaitė. Before the panel, you will be able to watch their newest films: Milk Bar, Matilda and the Spare Head, Snow Shelter.

Giedrė Burokaitė

Giedrė Burokaitė

Giedrė Burokaitė (1985) is a film producer. She holds a BA degree in Cultural History and Anthropology and a MA degree in Arts management. She works in film production since 2012. Giedrė produced number of short films and a feature lenght documentary „Animus Animalis“ (dir. Aistė Žegulytė), which was premiered at DOK Leipzig, CPH:DOX, Hot Docs and other festivals. Currently she is working on two short animated films and a VR project.

Agnė Adomėnė

Agnė Adomėnė

A founder and producer of the production company ART SHOT, Agnė Adomėnė, has educational background in culture management (The Master of Management, Department of UNESCO Cultural Management and Cultural Policy, Vilnius Academy of Arts) and works in film business since 2009. Founded in 2012, independent production company ART SHOT focuses on developing, producing and co-producing artistic animated films. n 2016 ART SHOT production “Nuopuolis”, Eng. “Ragnarok” (Short puppet animation directed by Urtė Oettinger and Johan Oettinger, Lithuanian – Denmark co-production) was awarded by Lithuanian Film Academy as The Best Lithuanian Animation Film of the year.

Marija Razgutė

Marija Razgutė

Marija Razgutė – film producer, International Short Film Festival “Vilnius Film Shorts” organizer, European Film Forum “Scanorama” international short film competition programme “New Baltic Cinema” coordinator, Lithunian Short Film Agency “Lithuanian Shorts” co-founder, cinema education project “Film Forge” coordinator.