DigiBC, a leading advocate for British Columbia’s creative technology industries, and Netflix, one of the world’s leading entertainment services, have established The DigiBC Creative Technology Gateway Scholarship.
This initiative will empower the next generation of animators through hands-on industry training in Vancouver Film School’s globally recognized 3D Animation & Visual Effects, Classical Animation and Animation Concept Art programs. VFS has been ranked the #1 Global Animation School by Animation Career Review.
“With the generous support of Netflix, DigiBC is proud to launch The DigiBC Creative Technology Gateway Scholarship, providing opportunities for learners to develop and hone their creative skills at Vancouver Film School’s internationally recognized animation and visual effects programs,” said Loc Dao, Executive Director of DigiBC. “Through this scholarship, Netflix is investing directly in the next generation of talent and providing an exciting opportunity not only for three deserving recipients, but more broadly for our creative technology sector and the future of digital storytelling in BC.”
All applicants interested in the March 2 start date must apply by the January 16, 2026 deadline. Prospective recipients for the scholarship must both complete the official Gateway Scholarship application (form available here) and apply to enroll in VFS. The Scholarship application (start here). The winner of the first start date placement will be announced February 2.
The Gateway Scholarship program offers three full-tuition scholarships (one per start date) for the above mentioned VFS programs. Additional deadlines and start dates are: March 9 for May 4 start (announced April 6) and May 4 for June 29 start (announced June 1).
Vancouver Film School is recognized as a leading film school in North America by multiple industry publications. The school’s alumni work on the industry’s top projects, most recently Superman, Lilo & Stitch, Wicked: For Good and Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters, and for top studios like Netflix, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Hulu, Apple, A24 and 20th Century Fox.
At the 2025 Oscars, 107 alumni were credited on nominated/winning films, while 250 alumni were credited at the Golden Globes, and 449 alumni were credited on nominated/winning series at the 2025 Emmys — with two alumni personally nominated for their work on The Last of Us.
“Vancouver Film School is proud to offer The DigiBC Creative Technology Gateway Scholarship, in partnership with DigiBC and Netflix — an initiative that will cultivate Canada’s next generation of creative talent,” commented VFS Managing Director Jonathan Bell. “This partnership will strengthen the connection between VFS’s globally recognized education and the creative industry, while ensuring that aspiring filmmakers and animators have access to world-class training opportunities.”
