A major digital arts networking experience, as the organisers describe it, is coming to Malta for the next three years.

Trojan Horse was a Unicorn (THU) has accepted the Maltese government's bid to host its annual event on the island, which focuses on digital arts in sectors such as film, games and marketing. The event'

For its first year, the event will be held from 24-29 September at Fort St Elmo and the Mediterranean Conference Centre, with about 1,500 expected to attend.

THU is a platform where companies and individuals in the games, film and marketing industry meet to share ideas, talk about their experiences, work together and learn. Previous editions included many renowned and Academy Award-winning artists for films such as Avatar, The Jungle Book, Titanic, and Brave, to name a few.

It is a six-day event which primarily focuses on networking and the sharing of ideas for those in the digital arts industry, from big names to students and start-ups.

At a press-briefing, Parliamentary Secretary for Digital Economy and Innovation Silvio Schembri stressed the fact that Malta's digital art's industry is bigger than what appears on the surface. Through the gaming industry - and by gaming eSports, fantasy football and other digital games are being referred to, and the film industry, this sector has been steadily growing.

It was explained that through events such as this, which bring in the biggest industry names to the country, it will help to attract more talent to the Maltese shores.

The THU experience deals with inspirational talks by the biggest industry players, called 'knights', mentorships, career guidance, idea sharing, and recruitment.

Recruitment is the most crucial aspect for Malta as the gaming industry is built on human capital, meaning talented people are required to help it flourish.

Co-founder Andrea Luis explained that event that brings together artists, innovators and big industry names that are shaping the world of animation, films and games and our day to day life.

Together with Scott Ross, who is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (OSCARS) and The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (EMMYS), he described the experience as a fusion of a 'TED-talk' with the infamous Burning Man festival - where digital innovation meets art. He has worked on over 100 of the world's largest special effects films and has lectured extensively about the creative process, content and technology in over 30 countries around the world.

Photos by James Caruana.