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For aspiring creators – especially recent grads – animation industry internships are one of the best paths to landing that first permanent/full-time gig. Among these, and arguably one of the most prestigious, is Sony Pictures Imageworks’ iCAD Internship Program – an annual, 8-week program running each summer in Vancouver, Montreal, and Los Angeles.

Vancouver Film School is pleased to announce that over the past summer, two 3D Animation & Visual Effects grads – Daniela Gonzalez and Hannah Liquido – earned coveted spots in Sony’s 2025 internship program, supercharging their animation skill sets by working on a variety of creative projects, including the trailer for Sony’s upcoming animated film, GOAT () and other classified projects!

We spoke with these ɫ���� 3D Animation alumni this week on their experience at Sony, as a ɫ���� student, and what lies ahead for their exciting careers.

ABOUT THE SONY IMAGEWORKS INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

Sony Pictures Imageworks’ highly-competitive internship program is designed to support emerging CG artists and recent graduates as they transition into professional studio environments. Interns train and collaborate inside Imageworks’ active feature-production pipeline, receiving the same foundational onboarding as newly hired artists before moving into specialized exercises aligned with their areas of interest. Throughout the program, participants work alongside experienced mentors, build both artistic and technical skills, and gain insight into the full scope of careers across animation and VFX production through studio speakers, workshops, and events.

Open to top-performing students and recent grads from leading programs, the iCAD internship offers hands-on, paid industry experience within one of the world’s most respected animation studios. Benefits include ongoing training with subject-matter experts, access to professional development sessions and screenings, and immersive exposure to the collaborative processes behind live-action and animated feature films, making it a powerful launch pad for the next generation of CG talent.

Q&A WITH DANIELA GONZALEZ & HANNAH LIQUIDO

Describe your experience in the internship program.

DG: It truly was a dream come true. The first two weeks were focused on training, where we learned the studio pipeline, internal tools, and department-specific workflows. We also got introduced to our teams and had the chance to understand how the rigging department collaborates with other disciplines.

For the remaining six weeks, we were assigned to an actual production. We received tasks directly from the leads and were treated like part of the team from day one. In my case, I had the opportunity to publish several assets into the pipeline, which felt absolutely surreal! It was incredibly rewarding to contribute to something real and see my work move forward in the production process.

HL: I was hired for the Compositing role during the Sony iCAD Internship, so my work was deeply involved in the world of visual effects and integration. The first couple of weeks were a bit intense as I got up to speed on the company’s workflows and methodologies. After that, things settled in nicely.

How has the internship benefited your career? Has it opened the doors to additional opportunities?

DG: It was honestly one of the best ways to get my foot in the door. Throughout the program, I always felt really supported – people were always willing to help, explain things, and guide me through the workflow because they knew interns were there to learn. That environment made it much easier to grow and build confidence.

The internship led to a full-time opportunity, and I returned this past October as an Associate Rigger. I’ve learned so much in such a short time, and it’s been really rewarding to be able to ask questions, troubleshoot with the team, and learn directly from such talented artists. It all adds up to a really rich learning experience.

HL: The hands-on experience gave me insight into how different departments collaborate to bring a project to life, and I got to sharpen both technical and creative skills, from post-production processes.

Beyond the skills, the internship expanded my professional network in ways I never imagined. Meeting producers and directors behind some of my favourite childhood movies was absolutely jaw-dropping moments! Most importantly, I connected with amazing people in the industry, and I’m excited to keep growing and taking the next steps in my career.

Can you describe your experience in ɫ����’s 3D Animation & Visual Effects program? Do you feel it prepared you for the demands of the 3D & VFX industry?

DG: My career path definitely took a few turns. When I graduated, I finished with an animation-focused demo reel. I happened to graduate during a particularly rough moment in the industry, so there were almost no junior openings at the time. I enrolled in the BCIT Technical Arts program (as part of ɫ���� Pathways), and that’s where everything clicked. Learning more about the technical side of the pipeline helped me discover a genuine interest in rigging. My animation background turned out to be a real advantage – understanding how animators think and what they need from a rig helped me approach rigging with a more artist-friendly mindset.

From my experience, there isn’t a single “recipe” for success. It’s a mix of hard work, constant self-study, staying curious, and being willing to build your path step by step. ɫ���� gave me a strong creative foundation, and combining that with further technical training and a lot of persistence ultimately prepared me for the industry in a way that feels very personal and rewarding.

HL: What I loved about the program is that it lets you explore all departments such as modeling, animation, and visual effects through hands-on group projects that really mimic industry experience.

With the introduction of electives, there’s now much more flexibility to explore multiple areas and focus on the subjects that interest you most, rather than being limited to a stream you might not enjoy. If you enjoy building a portfolio across different streams, this change lets you learn so much more and really broaden your skills! While I would have appreciated something like this during my time, my experience still worked out well. It really helped me identify and focus on my strengths, which was incredibly valuable.

What’s next in your career? Any exciting opportunities on the horizon?

DG: Right now, I’m focused on continuing to learn and grow. There’s definitely a learning curve when you’re starting in a new position, so the past few months have been packed with intense but incredibly rewarding experiences. Every week I feel myself getting more comfortable, more confident, and more excited about the work I’m doing.

I also recently received an unexpected scholarship to pursue a dual master’s in 3D Modeling and Rigging, so things got quite busy – in the best way. I’m genuinely happy with where I am, and when I look back, I can see how every step (even the hard ones) led me here. This is a really exciting chapter, and it still feels like just the beginning.

HL: I’m looking forward to further evolving my artist skills! I’m really excited to take on more challenging compositing roles and meet incredible inspiring professionals and learn from them and their stories. Someday, it would be amazing to meet a celebrity and perhaps one that I have had the chance to do compositing work on!

What advice do you have for aspiring animators?

DG: Ask a lot of questions – and don’t settle for just one answer. I’ve always loved learning, so I constantly looked for new workshops, tutorials, feedback sessions, and opportunities to share my work. There is always room to improve, and learning from different artists and different perspectives will only make you stronger. You have to be ready to rise to the challenge, push yourself, and stay curious even when it feels overwhelming.

For my fellow Latin American artists: don’t give up. Studying abroad adds extra layers of complexity – moving to a new country, navigating a second language, being far from home – but it’s a life-changing experience. You grow not only as an artist but as a person. Embrace the challenge, cherish the journey, and make the absolute most of the opportunity. It’s worth it.

HL: Focus on one skill you are strong in and build your project around that. From my experience as a student and as a former Teaching Assistant at ɫ����, a lot of students struggle with just getting started. Animation is a team effort, so learning to take direction, improve from critique, and stay open to feedback is key.

Vancouver Film School is intense and fast-paced, but that’s what makes it so valuable. It really reflects the pace of the industry. The instructors bring real studio experience into the classroom, and the connections you make with peers and mentors can open doors long after graduation.

HOW TO GET STARTED IN ɫ����’S 3D ANIMATION & VFX PROGRAM

Recognized by Animation Career Review as the #1 Global Animation School, ɫ���� gets aspiring animators fully-trained for the 3D & VFX industry – all in 1 short year. Book an appointment with a ɫ���� Admissions Advisor to discover the program, admissions requirements, scholarship opportunities, and how ɫ���� prepares students for animation careers!

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