Calcutta, April 25: Toonz Animation plans a 2D and 3D training facility in Mumbai. The company had set up its first institute in the city in partnership with Webel and also has a facility in Trivandrum. With the global animation market expected to cross $70 billion in 2005, Indian animation houses are exploring the opportunities in the training sector.

Currently, there are nearly 10,000 people in the animation industry, whereas the immediate demand is for 50,000 animators.

The Trivandrum-based company’s COO P. Jayakumar said, “We are exploring the possibility of setting up an academy in Mumbai. We are in the process of commissioning a market research study to gauge the feasibility of the project.”

“Mumbai conforms to certain other parameters like proximity to the entertainment industry, the huge pool of English-speaking populace and access to cutting-edge technology,” said Jayakumar.

A one-year diploma course in 2D and 3D animation costs around Rs 1 lakh and a six-month course Rs 60,000. Toonz will develop the curriculum for the courses in collaboration with foreign experts.