Though mainly thought of as an industry insider's event, there's plenty that a paying member of the public can get from E3
Date: 16-18 June
Location: LA, USA
Tickets: $800
If you're a 3D artist even slightly interested in gaming, E3 is definitely worth checking out – if you can stump up the $800 entry price!
Held in the LA Convention centre this summer, they'll be thousands of gamers getting together to talk about and showcase the latest in the world of video games.
You'll get the latest on interactive entertainment and hear from the most influential people in the industry, with groundbreaking new technologies and never-seen-before products on show.
Although not set in concrete, the organisers imagine this year's IW will be happening around August, and the ticket cost will £280 or so
Date: TBC
Location: Hoxton, London
Tickets: TBC
Returning for its second year, IW is another smaller event with an emphasis on getting attendees mingling and learning directly from industry pros in an informal environment.
A three-day event – which offers free coffee and breakfast – IW hasn't confirmed a schedule for 2015 yet, but if last year's speakers are anything to go by, expect a range of industry veterans, art directors from game and film, taking a number of cracking workshops.
Tickets for this year's Industry Workshops goes on sale 22 February, and proceedings kick off with an art competition running over three categories: character, environmental and vehicle design, with winners receiving a free ticket to the event.
The South By Southwest conference is split into music, film and interactive themes, all of which combines for a world-class creative show, hosting demos, presentations and screenings in all three areas.
And whenever you're suffering information overload, you can go to a film premiere or listen to one of the many bands lined-up to play throughout the conference period.
There's a little wait until the full scheduling comes out, but based on last year's event, this will be a singular – if pricey – experience.
Short and sharp and fairly young, MIA is becoming a 'do not miss' event in our calander
Date: 16-17 October
Location: Miami, USA
Tickets: TBC
In its fifth year, MIA is a conference that looks at computer animation, gaming, visual effects and motion graphics, film, web design and visual arts.
Hosting world-renowned speakers, various universities and artists from some of the world&'s top studios, the MIA Animation conference is full of practical and inspirational content.
This two-day event has become an exciting event for speakers and attendees alike. And if last year is to be repeated, the organisers call for volunteers, which could be a cool way of accessing all areas of the conference.
BFX is designed to celebrate and promote the visual effects industry in the UK
Date: September
Location: Bournemouth
Tickets: TBC
Launched in 2012, the BFX VFX and animation festival runs later on in the year, but actually opens up shop in the summer.
Opening in July with a seven-week competition for VFX and animation students from HEI's, it is followed in the Autumn by a 5-day programme of events; masterclasses, a speaker series, screenings, an awards ceremony and other public showcases taking place across Bournemouth in September.
Last year BFX boasted a free recruitment fair with studio presence from Animal Logic, Framestore, ILM, Double Negative, MPC, The Mill and Axis Animation.
