Writer of The King’s Speech in Wellington for AnimfxNZ

PRESS RELEASE: For immediate release: 4 February 2014

Writer of The King’s Speech in Wellington to speak at digital entertainment event

British-American playwright and film and television writer David Seidler will join some of the biggest and brightest names in the global digital entertainment industry in Wellington for the annual AnimfxNZ conference next week.

AnimfxNZ 14, organised by the NZ GAV Trust with support from Grow Wellington, will be held at Te Papa and Park Road Post over 13, 14 and 15 February and include workshops, networking events and a Desolation of Smaug workshop by Weta Digital.

Seidler won the Academy Award and a BAFTA for best original screenplay for the 2010 film The King’s Speech.

He will join other international industry leaders including Jean-Francois Prevost, Microsoft manager for Asia Pacific of developer relations in X-box gaming platforms; Joseph Olin who spearheaded the introduction of gaming’s most famous heroine Lara Croft; James Gwerztman who was behind one of the most profitable mobile game launches in the Chinese market, and Brian Robbins, marketing, technological and consultancy expert on mobile and gaming projects across the globe

Gerard Quinn, Chief Executive of Grow Wellington, says the conference is a fantastic opportunity for local professionals in Wellington’s digital entertainment sector to connect with key players in the global industry, which means potential for further industry growth.

“The fact that we can attract speakers with the caliber of David Seidler and Joseph Olin, just to mention two, highlights yet again that Wellington is seen by the world as a leader in the industry.”

AnimfxNZ spokesperson and Jos Ruffle says the event is expected to attract around 300 attendees including some of New Zealand's most senior screen and digital professionals, along with students and international visitors. “Our screen and digital sector has many strengths which are reflected in the conference, from high-end visual effects, innovative animation houses and gaming companies.”

Last year NZ game designers where incredibly successful with five New Zealand video game makers acclaimed in international ‘Best of 2013’ lists, says Mr Ruffle. These included game maker Grinding Gear Games, who was named GameSpot's PC Game of the Year Award and PikPok as runner-up for Apple's Best of 2013 Game of the Year. “This is helping to put Wellington on the map as a digital entertainment hub at the centre of the latest advancements in game and visual effects technology.”

ENDS

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