Sheridan College: the school that trained Pixar and DreamWorks animators

There are movies that we watch without knowing which part of the team visited the same place. Shrek, How to Train Your Dragon, several Pixar titles: many of the professionals behind these productions studied at Sheridan College, a public college located in Oakville, in the heart of Ontario, Canada. The institution now ranks second in the world ranking of animation schools, and in the summer of 2026, it opened its doors to students aged 16 to 19 through its Animation Camp.

Three weeks. Real certificate. Tools used by the industry. This is the type of program that changes the course of those who want to pursue a career in digital creation.

‍

The school behind the movies you've ever seen

Sheridan didn't make it to second place in the world rankings by chance. The institution has been building a reputation for decades that the animation market recognizes, and alumni are spread across the world's leading studios.

What puts Sheridan at this level is not just the curriculum. They are the partnerships with the industry, the teachers that came from inside the studios and an infrastructure designed for those who want to work with real animation. Therefore, studying there, even for three weeks, already represents contact with a methodology that few places in the world offer.

‍

What is Sheridan's Animation Camp

The Animation Camp is an intensive summer program offered by Sheridan College's Trafalgar campus. It works in English, with a total focus on practical training for teenagers who are already interested in animation, games, design or any digital creative area.

Program Information:

‍

What students learn in the 3 weeks

The content of the Animation Camp goes beyond theory. The student works with the same tools used by industry professionals:

• Toon Boom — standard software in animation companies around the world
• Procreate — digital illustration platform widely used in storyboarding
• Adobe Photoshop — present in almost every creative pipeline
• Claymation — stop-motion animation technique with clay modeling
• Storyboarding — creation of visual scripts, an essential skill in any production

What's more: during the program, students pay a visit to Jam Filled Studio, a professional real animation studio, in operation, with productions for television and streaming. This type of contact with the market, even during the course, is what differentiates Animation Camp from any conventional online course or workshop.

‍

A public college with a global reputation

Sheridan College is not a private institution focused solely on the international market. It is a Canadian public college, part of the Ontario education system, with accreditations recognized throughout Canada and abroad.

For those who are still evaluating how the structure of Canadian colleges works, it is worth understanding the difference between the available modalities, both for intensive summer programs and for long-term courses. This comparison is well explained in How to choose between public and private college in Canada in 2025. Sheridan's position within this system makes the certificate issued by her even more relevant for those who intend to pursue a career in the creative field.

‍

Why Canada makes sense for those who want to work in animation

The Canadian creative industry is one of the most active in the world in producing content for television, streaming, and games. Ontario, in particular, is home to a significant number of studios and creative technology companies. It's no coincidence that Sheridan is exactly there.

To understand the ecosystem surrounding the creative area in Canada, the article on Trending Careers in Ontario in 2025 provides an overview of how local institutions prepare professionals for a market that continues to expand.

In addition, Canada offers a multicultural and safe environment, which makes the experience even more accessible for international students. For those who are considering the country as a destination for longer studies, the article with the 5 Best Cities to Study in Canada in 2025 helps you understand what each city has to offer in addition to classes.

‍

What is included in the program

Sheridan's Animation Camp is structured to receive international students without parents having to worry about the details of logistics. The package includes:

• Campus housing
• Meals during the program period
• Health insurance
• Outings and activities outside the classroom

This structure also makes the program accessible to those arriving from another country for the first time. For students who want to take a bigger step, Public college in Canada by Be Easy offers long-term programs with the same security and specialized support.

‍

Sheridan as a starting point for an international career

Three weeks in Sheridan doesn't make for a complete animator. But they open a door that many young people didn't know existed. The contact with industry tools, professors who came from the studios, and colleagues from different countries creates a reference that influences career choices.

For those who are still considering the exchange as a next step, the article on exchange for teenagers with programs and destinations for 2025 presents a broader view of the available modalities. And those who want to learn more about the functioning of Canadian colleges can find a detailed guide at How does public college work in Canada.

‍

Frequently Asked Questions about Animation Camp at Sheridan College

1. Do I need to have previous animation experience to participate? No. The Animation Camp was designed for students with an interest in the area, not necessarily with previous technical training. The program covers the fundamentals in a practical way, starting from scratch with the main tools used in the industry.

2. Is the certificate issued by Sheridan internationally recognized? Yes. The certificate is issued directly by Sheridan College, a Canadian public institution ranked second in the world in animation. It can be used in portfolios, applications for higher education courses, and as a professional reference in any country.

3. The program works in English. What language level is required? The program requires functional English to accompany classes and interact with teachers and classmates. Advanced English is not required, but students need to be comfortable in everyday situations and classroom settings.

4. How does housing work during Animation Camp? Students stay at Sheridan College's own Trafalgar campus. Accommodation, meals and health insurance are included in the program, which guarantees an organized and safe routine during the 3 weeks.

5. Can the Animation Camp influence the application for higher education courses in animation? Absolutely. Having a Sheridan certificate in history, along with practical experience with tools like Toon Boom and Procreate, strengthens any portfolio. For those thinking of pursuing an undergraduate degree in the creative area, this type of program is a relevant differential.

‍

Be Easy

Be Easy is an official partner of Sheridan College's Animation Camp in Brazil and accompanies the process from start to finish: registration, documentation, travel logistics, and support during the program. With 17 years of experience in exchange, our team knows every detail of this process and ensures that students arrive in Canada with everything resolved. Contact us and find out how to secure a place in the summer of 2026 at one of the best animation schools in the world.