TORONTO, Oct. 27, 2016 /CNW/ - Groupe Média TFO inaugurated its virtual universe laboratory (LUV) with the Honourable Mitzie Hunter, Minister of Education of Ontario and Minister of Francophone Affairs Marie-France Lalonde. The LUV announcement came on the heels of two other ground-breaking developments: the historic distribution agreement with American online-learning giant PBS Education, and the launching of the first Canadian smart screen series, MaXi.
Groupe Média TFO introduces LUV: the virtual universe production laboratory of a new digital generation for French-language educational content.
"It's important that Ontario's students engage with technology and develop global competencies like critical thinking, problem solving and creativity. Thanks to partners like Groupe Média TFO, students have access to online educational resources that will allow them to build on these skills and ensure they thrive in tomorrow's economy."
— The Honourable Mitzie Hunter, Minister of Education
LUV is a one-of-a-kind incubator for a whole new generation of digital educational productions designed to excite learners in Ontario, in Canada, and beyond.
Born of collaborative research on TV production sets across the world, LUV's greatest asset is its original method of anchoring software and technologies from the field of digital video game production.
On top of using LUV for its own productions, Groupe Média TFO aims to offer LUV's services to external production companies.
"Our priority is to provide exciting and engaging content for learner audiences. By changing the way we create, we exponentially multiply the production possibilities for our artists, offering an unlimited number of learning worlds. LUV is the result of combining several innovative solutions into a single, dynamic process delivering remarkable creative potential"
— Glenn O'Farrell, Président et chef de la direction
The technology was assembled by an international and multidisciplinarian team: Ross (Iroquois, Ontario), Epic Games (Raleigh, North Carolina), Zero density (Istanbul, Turkey), Stype (Zagreb, Croatia), Mo-sys (London, UK). Toronto's own CEV and Applied Electronics integrated the technology.
"By putting virtual reality at the heart of its production system, the Groupe Média TFO continues to distinguish itself by its creative and forward-looking ideas. Congratulations to TFO as you establish yourself as a key player in the field of French education and learning thanks to bold innovations and the reach of your products across North America."
— The Honourable Marie-France Lalonde, Minister of Education
MaXi, the First Canadian Educational Animation Series for Smartphones
Yesterday, at the Canadian animation conference, Cartoon Connection, Groupe Média TFO and FRIMA, a transmedia entertainment studio, together announced the release of MaXi. MaXi is the first Canadian animation series produced and designed for tablet and smartphone viewing and adaptable to linear formats. Developed by Franco-Ontarian and Quebecois talent, MaXi is an educational and fun smart-series for children aged 9-12. The 26 x 11-minute episode series will be available starting in Spring 2017 on iOS and Android. Watch the trailer
PBS Learning Media to Distribute TFO's Productions across the USA
Groupe Média TFO very recently concluded an historical agreement with PBS Learning Media to distribute its award-winning French-language content produced in Ontario across all 55 American states and territories, including providing access to 1.8 million teachers. This strategic partnership transforms the role and presence of TFO in the United States, following the April 2016 announcement that the Louisiana Public Broadcasting, also a member of the PBS network, would distribute TFO content.
About Groupe Média TFO
Groupe Média TFO is an essential destination for audiences seeking innovative educational and cultural content in French, at the vanguard of digital learning. TFO operates numerous digital platforms including the number one French-language YouTube channel in Canada. Its content has been awarded multiple prizes, from Austin to Amsterdam (Kidscreen Awards, Gemini Awards, Cassies, IBC Awards, SXSW Film Design Awards, and many more). Proud of its public heritage, TFO celebrates the French fact in Ontario and beyond. For more information about Groupe Média TFO, visit www.groupemediatfo.org or follow Groupe Media TFO on Facebook and Twitter.
SOURCE Groupe Média TFO
Image with caption: "(from left to right) Norm Kelly, Councillor for the City of Toronto / Hon Marie-France Lalond, Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs / Hon Mitzie Hunter, Minister of Education / Carole Beaulieu, Chair of Groupe Média TFO's Board of Directors / Glenn O'Farrell, Groupe Média TFO's President and Chief Executive Office Groupe Média TFO, and the little Frank during the inauguration of Groupe Média TFO's virtual universe laboratory (LUV) (CNW Group/Groupe Média TFO)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20161027_C1994_PHOTO_EN_805970.jpg
Information and Interview Requests: Carole Nkoa / [email protected], Franco-Ontarian Communities and Public Relations Officer, Office: 416-968-8313 / Cell: 416-606-5113
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