The Capacity Building Support Programme for the Animation Sector (CBSPAS) is dedicated to transforming Nigeria’s animation industry by equipping aspiring animators with specialised technical skills, mentoring, and career development opportunities. Spearheaded by Basement Animation and funded under the Skills Initiative for Africa (SIFA) Financial Cooperation (FC), with support from the Federal Republic of Germany and the European Union, this innovative initiative offers a comprehensive online training experience for young Nigerians aged 18-35, with a focus on women and vulnerable groups.
This free animation training program is delivered entirely online, and the program aims to empower youth by creating employment opportunities and enhancing the capacity of Nigerian animation studios to produce content for global markets.
Participants will benefit from a structured curriculum delivered in 2 cohorts, where 100 individuals will receive foundational training and 40 will advance to more specialised, hands-on technical sessions.
Are you:
Passionate about storytelling through animation?
A creative individual with artistic skills such as graphic design, illustration, or digital art?
Someone who has always wanted to start a career in animation but hasn’t had the opportunity?
Looking to switch to a career in animation from another creative field?
A beginner or someone with informal training who is eager to learn and grow in the animation industry?Excited about developing technical animation skills?
Requirements:
To participate, applicants must:
Be of Nigerian descent and currently residing in Nigeria
Be within the age range of 18-35 at the time of submission.
Have access to a computer and reliable internet (or be willing to acquire them) to participate in the online training.
Demonstrate a creative background or interest in artistic skills that can translate into animation (e.g., graphic design, drawing, photography, video editing).
Commit fully to participating in the programme for its entire duration, which includes the following stages below:
Programme Overview
Stage 1: Intensive Business of Animation Training
Dates: October 2024
Details: A 2-week intensive online training programme focusing on the business of animation and content creation for 50 participants.
At the end of this stage, participants will be assessed based on their progress, with the top 20 from each cohort advancing to the next stage.
Stage 2: 3-Month Technical Training
Dates: November 2024–January 2025
Details: An online technical training stage guided by experienced instructors, focusing on practical animation skills for the 20 selected participants from Stage 1.
Stage 3: 3-Month Project Assignment
Dates: February – April 2025
Details: Hands-on project assignments and mentorship, potentially resulting in the production of four animated short films.
Click the link to apply for the first cohort of the CBSPAS program
Application Opens: September 17th, 2024
Deadline: October 1st, 2024
For Press Inquiries and More Information
For more information on the CBSPAS programme, click the link and for inquiries and partnership opportunities, please contact cbspas@basementanimation.com
<img src="https://www.mtlblog.com/media-library/a-grand-prix-party-in-montreal-right-a-person-in-a-costume-outside-of-a-montreal-event.jpg?id=60250110&width=1200&height=400&coordinates=0%2C142%2C0%2C143"/><br/><br/><p>After years of being one of the flashiest fixtures on the city's nightlife calendar, Montreal's most exclusive<a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/tag/formula-1-grand-prix" target="_blank"> racing weekend party</a> is shifting gears. The event formerly known as the Maxim Grand Prix Party is now Maison Sports Illustrated, and it's doubling down for a two-night run at Windsor Station this June.</p><p>Running June 13 and 14, the revamped bash promises a full weekend of DJs, fashion, and decadence, with headlining sets from HUGEL on Friday and FISHER on Saturday.</p><p>The change in branding reflects a broader evolution for the 5,000-guest event. According to lead promoter Rob Segal, who has produced events surrounding the <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/tag/montreal-grand-prix" target="_blank">Canadian Grand Prix</a> for several years, partnering with Sports Illustrated was a natural next step.</p><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DI4pvVnyTnt/?hl=en" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
<div style="padding:8px;">
<div style="background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;">
<div style="background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAAGFBMVEUiIiI9PT0eHh4gIB4hIBkcHBwcHBwcHBydr+JQAAAACHRSTlMABA4YHyQsM5jtaMwAAADfSURBVDjL7ZVBEgMhCAQBAf//42xcNbpAqakcM0ftUmFAAIBE81IqBJdS3lS6zs3bIpB9WED3YYXFPmHRfT8sgyrCP1x8uEUxLMzNWElFOYCV6mHWWwMzdPEKHlhLw7NWJqkHc4uIZphavDzA2JPzUDsBZziNae2S6owH8xPmX8G7zzgKEOPUoYHvGz1TBCxMkd3kwNVbU0gKHkx+iZILf77IofhrY1nYFnB/lQPb79drWOyJVa/DAvg9B/rLB4cC+Nqgdz/TvBbBnr6GBReqn/nRmDgaQEej7WhonozjF+Y2I/fZou/qAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;">
</div>
</div>
<p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;">
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DI4pvVnyTnt/?hl=en" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">See on Instagram</a>
</p>
</div>
</blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><p>"We felt it was time to elevate the event," Segal told MTL Blog. "With the amount of production, talent, and energy we put into this, it made sense to turn it into a two-night spectacle."</p><p>SI already has a footprint in major race cities like Miami, Las Vegas, and Austin. Now, it's bringing that same Maison SI party concept to Montreal — complete with a redesigned venue, new production partners (Toronto's CRUEL and Quebec's Midway Group), and a reimagined experience at Windsor Station.</p><p>This year's layout flips the venue entirely, allowing guests to enter through the courtyard near the Bell Centre for a "more immersive, stage-forward experience." The visual theme will be a nod to the golden era of Formula 1 in the late 1960s, with the space transformed using retro racing-inspired design cues.</p><p>"We're kind of throwing back to that wonderful period in Grand Prix — the late 60s. That type of vibe," Segal noted. </p><p><em></em>According to the <a href="https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/maison-si-returns-june-13-15-2025-with-a-massive-race-weekend-pop-up-celebration-at-montreal-s-windsor-station-834812867.html" target="_blank">official party announcement</a>, guests can also expect fashion shows, beauty lounges, brand pop-ups, and even live art — all set against the backdrop of one of Montreal's most historic train stations.</p><p>While the full guest list is still under wraps, past editions have welcomed celebs like Diplo, French Montana, Eugenie Bouchard, <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/gsp-georges-st-pierre-hot-sauce-ufc" target="_blank">Georges St-Pierre</a>, and Minka Kelly. Segal says this year's event is set to top them all.<em></em></p><p>"It's certainly the most spectacular. It's probably the most expensive by a long ways to put on. The talent this year — Fisher and Hugel — those are two of the biggest acts we've ever had."</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image">
<img alt="The 2024 Maxim Party in Montreal." class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="44b6e28223681dae8f14e2edb2d249fc" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="9b26e" loading="lazy" src="https://www.mtlblog.com/media-library/the-2024-maxim-party-in-montreal.png?id=60249663&width=980"/>
<small class="image-media media-caption" placeholder="Add Photo Caption...">Over 5,000 guests will turn Montreal's Windsor Station into a rocking club this June.</small><small class="image-media media-photo-credit" placeholder="Add Photo Credit...">The Feldman Agency</small></p><p>General admission starts at $175, while VIP options range from cocktail cruiser tables to stage-side lounges that run into the thousands. Three tiers are available depending on group size and proximity to the stage.</p><p>Maison SI is only one part of Segal's Grand Prix weekend playbook. He's also behind the Crescent Street Grand Prix Festival, which will return this year with expanded attractions and a first-ever takeover of de Maisonneuve Boulevard, where new sponsor activations and experiences will unfold alongside the usual Crescent Street festivities.</p><p>Tickets for Maison SI are available now at <a href="https://maisonsi.tixr.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">maisonsi.tixr.com</a>.</p><p>The Canadian Grand Prix will take place at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on Sunday, June 15, 2015. </p><h3>Maison SI</h3><br/><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DJZn64MNPRq/" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
<div style="padding:8px;">
<div style="background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;">
<div style="background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAAGFBMVEUiIiI9PT0eHh4gIB4hIBkcHBwcHBwcHBydr+JQAAAACHRSTlMABA4YHyQsM5jtaMwAAADfSURBVDjL7ZVBEgMhCAQBAf//42xcNbpAqakcM0ftUmFAAIBE81IqBJdS3lS6zs3bIpB9WED3YYXFPmHRfT8sgyrCP1x8uEUxLMzNWElFOYCV6mHWWwMzdPEKHlhLw7NWJqkHc4uIZphavDzA2JPzUDsBZziNae2S6owH8xPmX8G7zzgKEOPUoYHvGz1TBCxMkd3kwNVbU0gKHkx+iZILf77IofhrY1nYFnB/lQPb79drWOyJVa/DAvg9B/rLB4cC+Nqgdz/TvBbBnr6GBReqn/nRmDgaQEej7WhonozjF+Y2I/fZou/qAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;">
</div>
</div>
<p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;">
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DJZn64MNPRq/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">See on Instagram</a>
</p>
</div>
</blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><p>Price: Tickets start at $175</p><p>When: June 13 and 14</p><p>Address: 1100 Av. des Canadiens-de-Montréal, Montreal, QC</p><p><a href="https://lastation1889.ca/" target="_blank">Maison SI website</a></p>