When the industry calls, Vancouver Film School answers! In 2023, the Invictus Games Foundation first contacted us to inquire about a collaboration between the 2025 Vancouver Whistler Games and VFS. They’d heard of Vancouver Film School’s reputation of being a leading North American film school and had pitched the idea of VFS collaborating from a film production standpoint. But what Invictus would soon discover is that Vancouver Film School is MORE than a Film School and that there was limitless potential to this collaboration.
This initial query soon manifested into an exciting, large-scale motion capture & motion design project, where VFS provided access to Beyond Capture Studios’ 64,000 cubic ft. motion capture volume, additional campus space, and the work of many talented VFS students and staff, culminating in powerful visual storytelling and an unforgettable experience for everyone involved.
HOW VANCOUVER FILM SCHOOL CONTRIBUTED TO THE INVICTUS GAMES 2025
It all started back in 2023. Ian Mollard, Executive Producer for the 2025 Invictus Games, reached out to VFS following the 2023 World Wheelchair Rugby European Championships. He was so impressed with the student camera operators that worked that event, and he wondered if he could repeat the experience for the 2025 Invictus Games.
Ian was given a personalized tour of Vancouver Film School’s campus, including our hidden gem: Beyond Capture Studios. He was blown away by the possibilities that Beyond Capture – and VFS’s powerful community of creatives – could offer the 2025 Games, and a new partnership was born.
Official plans began forming in late 2024, with the intent to create high-impact visual content to air during the sporting events. The concept: present the competitors as ‘unstoppable’ and showcase their driving spirit through the power of motion capture and 2D animation. The inspiration: symbolic West Coast Indigenous art that uses animal spirits (eagles, whales, bears, wolfs, and more) as vessels of the competitors’ unstoppable strength, fortitude, and prowess.
Production of the VFS motion capture footage took place on November 1. Decorated paralympic athlete Zac Madell was invited to participate as a subject, to ensure accurate movements were captured. The results were truly spectacular and were enjoyed by all who attended the Invictus Games.
This is just the tip of the iceberg regarding the collaboration between Vancouver Film School & Invictus Games. Other highlights include:
- 10+ students from VFS’s Digital Design program helped create additional motion design elements for broadcast.
- A large crew of VFS alumni and faculty worked behind the scenes during the Invictus Games, serving as camera operators and video editors.
- Additional office space was provided within VFS’s Film campus for Invictus Games’ Master Control team. This served as a central hub for broadcast and was equipped with all required software.
VFS and Beyond Capture Studios teamed up with the Invictus Games to create motion capture content for the 2025 Vancouver Whistler Games.THE INVICTUS GAMES’ INTERNATIONAL REPUTATION
An international multi-sport competition for wounded, injured, and sick military service personnel, the Invictus Games’ impact has been felt around the world for over a decade, with seven competitions across London, Sydney, Düsseldorf, and now Vancouver.
With a clear mission – to change and save lives through sports – the Invictus Games were founded in 2014 by Prince Harry as a result of the profound impact that his deployment in Afghanistan and a visit to the US Warrior Games in 2013 had on him. From these experiences, the Invictus Games Foundation was born, a platform that would offer a recovery pathway for wounded, injured, and sick service people, with an aim to help them reclaim their purpose and identity.
Beyond the competition itself, the Invictus Games Foundation aims to inspire recovery, improve quality of life, raise awareness for those who serve, showcase their resilience, and help these servicepeople reconnect with their community. The name “Invictus” means unconquered, and there couldn’t be a better word that encapsulates the spirit of this organization.
ABOUT THE 2025 INVICTUS GAMES
Currently underway thru February 16, this year’s Invictus Games are hosted in Vancouver & Whistler – the first time BC has had the pleasure of hosting this prestigious event. It’s also the first time winter sports have been included, with Alpine Skiing and Snowboarding, Nordic Skiing, and Biathlon, Skeleton, and Wheelchair Curling all making their debut.
This is in addition to the traditional events, including Indoor Rowing, Sitting Volleyball, Swimming, Wheelchair Rugby, and Wheelchair Basketball. Over 500 competitors from 20+ nations have gathered to compete.
The opening ceremony took place on February 8 at BC Place in Vancouver, with a lineup of A-list performers including Coldplay’s Chris Martin, Nelly Furtado, Katy Perry, and more. Things will wrap up on February 16 at Rogers Arena with performances from Barenaked Ladies and others.
In addition, this year’s games emphasize inclusivity and reconciliation, being held in partnership with First Nations on their traditional territories. In an official statement, Prince Harry commented “The Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 will offer a global platform to expand the range and profile of winter adaptive sports. With deep respect, I’m also pleased to share that the Games in Canada will be held in partnership with the First Nations, in the spirit of truth and reconciliation with Indigenous communities.”
Watch below to see how Vancouver welcomed the 2025 Invictus Games:
AN UNFORGETTABLE OPPORTUNITY
“We’re so honoured to have been a part of this year’s Invictus Games” commented Colin Giles, VFS’s Head of Animation. “To contribute our expertise in motion capture and animation to such a meaningful global event and bring this powerful concept to life was the most rewarding work. At Vancouver Film School, we take immense pride in collaborating with industry partners whenever creative and technical excellence are needed. This has been an extraordinary opportunity for our staff and students that will be remembered forever.”
It's not often that one is presented with an opportunity to make a real, global impact. For the VFS staff and students who were able to contribute creatively to this year’s Invictus Games, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to use their skill set to honour the resilience and determination of Invictus competitors on a world stage.
Head on over to our Instagram to view the final product:
FAQ
1. What was Vancouver Film School’s role in the 2025 Invictus Games?
VFS collaborated with the Invictus Games to create high-impact motion capture content for broadcast during select sporting events. This included providing access to Beyond Capture Studios, campus facilities, and the creative expertise of VFS students, faculty, and alumni.
2. How did VFS students contribute to the project?
Numerous students from VFS’s Digital Design and Animation creative arts programs helped create motion graphic and motion design elements for the Games’ broadcast, with additional support as camera operators and editors.
3. What was the inspiration behind the motion capture content?
The creative concept showcased Invictus competitors as ‘unstoppable,’ using West Coast Indigenous-inspired animal spirits such as eagles, whales, bears, and wolves to represent their strength, resilience, and determination.