The Imagina Trade Show in Monaco from 31st January to 2nd February 2007
Imagina, the digital image Festival, opens its doors on Wednesday 31st January in the Grimaldi Forum Monaco. David Tomatis, Executive Vice-President of Monaco Mediax, reviews the event. According to David Tomatis, Imagina is aimed exclusively at professionals such as producers, directors, creators of special effects and managers of architectural firms, as well as technical managers of local authorities. They had to reinvent the whole show, which at the beginning was the forerunner for all matters linked to 3D images – and which today is merely commonplace. Thanks to the support of the Monaco Government and our president, in addition to the support of H.S.H. Prince Albert II, Imagina has repositioned itself. Within the fair, visitors can now find the European 3D visual display Forum, which is focused on imaging and 3D simulation technologies, used in the building, urban planning and landscape industries. Some of the top names in industry are taking part in Imagina, including HP, Autodesk, IBM, Vizmaster, Dell, Bionatics … They are expecting over 2000 participants. He said, Digital technology has shown its full capability in everyday applications, with for instance the convergence of internet/television/mobile and all the declinations that lead on from that. Interactivity and its applications have enabled new communications methods to emerge such as online videos and blogs… It is still difficult to imagine how digital technology will revolutionize our behaviour in the future. Finally, regarding the high points of the 2007 edition, Mr. Tomatis explains High-level conferences are on the programme that feature key figures including Rob Coleman, director of special effects for the last two « Star Wars » films, but there will also be a world preview presentation of “Cryengine” technology which incorporates the technology used in video games for architectural and urban planning purposes. As every year, an international competition will be held – the “Imagina Awards” in which all American and European studios, schools and universities take part.