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TAL Education Group Announces Unaudited Financial Results for the First Fiscal Quarter Ended May 31, 2024

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BEIJING, Aug. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — TAL Education Group (NYSE: TAL) (“TAL” or the “Company”), a smart learning solutions provider in China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the first quarter of fiscal year 2025 ended May 31, 2024.

Highlights for the First Quarter of Fiscal Year 2025

Net revenues were US$414.2 million, compared to net revenues of US$275.4 million in the same period of the prior year.Loss from operations was US$17.3 million, compared to loss from operations of US$57.8 million in the same period of the prior year.Non-GAAP income from operations, which excluded share-based compensation expenses, was US$0.9 million, compared to non-GAAP loss from operations of US$32.3 million in the same period of the prior year.Net income attributable to TAL was US$11.4 million, compared to net loss attributable to TAL of US$45.0 million in the same period of the prior year.Non-GAAP net income attributable to TAL, which excluded share-based compensation expenses, was US$29.6 million, compared to non-GAAP net loss attributable to TAL of US$19.5 million in the same period of the prior year.Basic and diluted net income per American Depositary Share (“ADS”) were both US$0.02. Non-GAAP basic and diluted net income per ADS, which excluded share-based compensation expenses, were both US$0.05. Three ADSs represent one Class A common share.Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments totaled US$3,418.6 million as of May 31, 2024, compared to US$3,303.3 million as of February 29, 2024.

 

Financial Data——First Quarter of Fiscal Year 2025
(In US$ thousands, except per ADS data and percentages)

Three Months Ended
May 31,

2023

2024

Pct. Change

Net revenues

275,440

414,187

50.4 %

Loss from operations

(57,773)

(17,330)

(70.0 %)

Non-GAAP (loss)/income from operations

(32,260)

876

(102.7 %)

Net (loss)/income attributable to TAL

(45,037)

11,402

(125.3 %)

Non-GAAP net (loss)/income attributable to
TAL

(19,524)

29,608

(251.6 %)

Net (loss)/income per ADS attributable to
TAL – basic

(0.07)

0.02

(126.5 %)

Net (loss)/income per ADS attributable to
TAL – diluted

(0.07)

0.02

(126.0 %)

Non-GAAP net (loss)/income per ADS
attributable to TAL – basic

(0.03)

0.05

(259.0 %)

Non-GAAP net (loss)/income per ADS
attributable to TAL – diluted

(0.03)

0.05

(256.0 %)

 

“In this quarter, our core focus remains on delivering quality products and managing our online and offline operational efficiency to serve learners effectively,” said Alex Peng, TAL’s President and Chief Financial Officer.

Mr. Peng added, “Looking forward, we will make ongoing investments to provide our users with quality learning experiences. Our product capabilities, combined with our operational efficiency, positions us to capitalize on market opportunities and deliver long-term value to our customers.”

Financial Results for the First Quarter of Fiscal Year 2025

Net Revenues

In the first quarter of fiscal year 2025, TAL reported net revenues of US$414.2 million, representing a 50.4% increase from US$275.4 million in the first quarter of fiscal year 2024.

Operating Costs and Expenses

In the first quarter of fiscal year 2025, operating costs and expenses were US$432.1 million, representing a 26.3% increase from US$342.1 million in the first quarter of fiscal year 2024. Non-GAAP operating costs and expenses, which excluded share-based compensation expenses, were US$413.9 million, representing a 30.7% increase from US$316.6 million in the first quarter of fiscal year 2024.

Cost of revenues increased by 43.4% to US$200.0 million from US$139.5 million in the first quarter of fiscal year 2024. Non-GAAP cost of revenues, which excluded share-based compensation expenses, increased by 44.2% to US$197.6 million, from US$137.1 million in the first quarter of fiscal year 2024.

Selling and marketing expenses increased by 25.4% to US$122.4 million from US$97.7 million in the first quarter of fiscal year 2024. Non-GAAP selling and marketing expenses, which excluded share-based compensation expenses, increased by 30.8% to US$118.1 million, from US$90.2 million in the first quarter of fiscal year 2024.

General and administrative expenses increased by 4.5% to US$109.7 million from US$104.9 million in the first quarter of fiscal year 2024. Non-GAAP general and administrative expenses, which excluded share-based compensation expenses, increased by 10.0% to US$98.2 million, from US$89.2 million in the first quarter of fiscal year 2024.

Total share-based compensation expenses allocated to the related operating costs and expenses decreased by 28.6% to US$18.2 million in the first quarter of fiscal year 2025 from US$25.5 million in the same period of fiscal year 2024.

Gross Profit                                                                                                                                 

Gross profit increased by 57.6% to US$214.2 million from US$135.9 million in the first quarter of fiscal year 2024. The gross margin for the first quarter of fiscal year 2025 was 51.7%, compared to 49.3% in the same period of the prior year.

Loss from Operations

Loss from operations was US$17.3 million in the first quarter of fiscal year 2025, compared to loss from operations of US$57.8 million in the first quarter of fiscal year 2024. Non-GAAP income from operations, which excluded share-based compensation expenses, was US$0.9 million, compared to Non-GAAP loss from operations of US$32.3 million in the same period of the prior year.

Other (Expense)/Income

Other income was US$13.2 million for the first quarter of fiscal year 2025, compared to other expense of US$6.8 million in the first quarter of fiscal year 2024.

Impairment Loss on Long-term Investments

Impairment loss on long-term investment was US$3.8 million for the first quarter of fiscal year 2025, compared to nil for the first quarter of fiscal year 2024.

Income Tax Expense

Income tax expense was US$2.3 million in the first quarter of fiscal year 2025, compared to US$3.5 million of income tax expense in the first quarter of fiscal year 2024.

Net (Loss)/Income Attributable to TAL Education Group

Net income attributable to TAL was US$11.4 million in the first quarter of fiscal year 2025, compared to net loss attributable to TAL of US$45.0 million in the first quarter of fiscal year 2024. Non-GAAP net income attributable to TAL, which excluded share-based compensation expenses, was US$29.6 million, compared to Non-GAAP net loss attributable to TAL of US$19.5 million in the first quarter of fiscal year 2024.

Basic and Diluted Net (Loss)/Income per ADS

Basic and diluted net income per ADS were both US$0.02 in the first quarter of fiscal year 2025. Non-GAAP basic and diluted net income per ADS, which excluded share-based compensation expenses, were both US$0.05 in the first quarter of fiscal year 2025.

Cash Flow 

Net cash provided by operating activities for the first quarter of fiscal year 2025 was US$246.8 million.

Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Short-Term Investments

As of May 31, 2024, the Company had US$2,222.6 million of cash and cash equivalents and US$1,196.0 million of short-term investments, compared to US$2,208.7 million of cash and cash equivalents and US$1,094.6 million of short-term investments as of February 29, 2024.

Deferred Revenue

As of May 31, 2024, the Company’s deferred revenue balance was US$641.9 million, compared to US$428.3 million as of February 29, 2024.

Conference Call

The Company will host a conference call and live webcast to discuss its financial results for the first fiscal quarter of fiscal year 2025 ended May 31, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time on August 1, 2024 (8:00 p.m. Beijing time on August 1, 2024).

Please note that you will need to pre-register for conference call participation at https://register.vevent.com/register/BI0948a7548cbb4383b037c2d80666f8ec.

Upon registration, you will receive an email containing participant dial-in numbers and unique Direct Event Passcode. This information will allow you to gain immediate access to the call. Participants may pre-register at any time, including up to and after the call start time.

A live and archived webcast of the conference call will be available on the Investor Relations section of TAL’s website at https://ir.100tal.com/.

Safe Harbor Statement

This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates” and similar statements. Among other things, TAL Education Group’s strategic and operational plans contain forward-looking statements. The Company may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its reports filed with, or furnished to, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, in its annual reports to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the Company’s beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: the Company’s ability to continue to provide competitive learning services and products; the Company’s ability to continue to recruit, train and retain talents; the Company’s ability to improve the content of current course offerings and develop new courses; the Company’s ability to maintain and enhance its brand; the Company’s ability to maintain and continue to improve its teaching results; and the Company’s ability to compete effectively against its competitors. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in the Company’s reports filed with, or furnished to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is as of the date of this press release, and TAL Education Group undertakes no duty to update such information or any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

About TAL Education Group

TAL Education Group is a smart learning solutions provider in China. The acronym “TAL” stands for “Tomorrow Advancing Life”, which reflects our vision to promote top learning opportunities for students through both high-quality teaching and content, as well as leading edge application of technology in the education experience. TAL Education Group offers comprehensive learning solutions to students from all ages through diversified class formats. Our learning solutions mainly cover enrichment learnings programs and some academic subjects in and out of China. Our ADSs trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “TAL”.

About Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In evaluating its business, TAL considers and uses the following measures defined as non-GAAP financial measures by the SEC as supplemental metrics to review and assess its operating performance: non-GAAP operating costs and expenses, non-GAAP cost of revenues, non-GAAP selling and marketing expenses, non-GAAP general and administrative expenses, non-GAAP (loss)/income from operations, non-GAAP net (loss)/income attributable to TAL, non-GAAP basic and non-GAAP diluted net (loss)/income per ADS. To present each of these non-GAAP measures, the Company excludes share-based compensation expenses. The presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. For more information on these non-GAAP financial measures, please see the table captioned “Reconciliations of non-GAAP measures to the most comparable GAAP measures” set forth at the end of this release.

TAL believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide meaningful supplemental information regarding its performance and liquidity by excluding share-based expenses that may not be indicative of its operating performance from a cash perspective. TAL believes that both management and investors benefit from these non-GAAP financial measures in assessing its performance and when planning and forecasting future periods. These non-GAAP financial measures also facilitate management’s internal comparisons to TAL’s historical performance and liquidity. TAL computes its non-GAAP financial measures using the same consistent method from quarter to quarter and from period to period. TAL believes these non-GAAP financial measures are useful to investors in allowing for greater transparency with respect to supplemental information used by management in its financial and operational decision making. A limitation of using non-GAAP measures is that these non-GAAP measures exclude share-based compensation charges that have been and will continue to be for the foreseeable future a significant recurring expense in the Company’s business. Management compensates for these limitations by providing specific information regarding the GAAP amounts excluded from each non-GAAP measure. The accompanying tables have more details on the reconciliations between GAAP financial measures that are most directly comparable to non-GAAP financial measures.

For further information, please contact:

Jackson Ding
Investor Relations
TAL Education Group
Tel: +86 10 5292 6669-8809
Email: ir@tal.com

 

TAL EDUCATION GROUP

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands of U.S. dollars)

As of

February 29,
2024

As of

May 31,
2024

ASSETS

Current assets

   Cash and cash equivalents

$ 2,208,756

$ 2,222,591

Restricted cash-current

167,656

275,966

Short-term investments

1,094,593

1,195,981

    Inventory

68,328

80,984

Amounts due from related parties-current

343

376

    Income tax receivables

1,543

    Prepaid expenses and other current assets

159,498

153,159

Total current assets

3,699,174

3,930,600

    Restricted cash-non-current

81,064

79,865

    Property and equipment, net

405,319

438,670

    Deferred tax assets

4,620

4,938

    Rental deposits

16,947

18,523

    Intangible assets, net

1,988

1,637

    Land use right, net

189,049

186,862

    Amounts due from related parties-non-current

59

59

Long-term investments

284,266

279,852

Long-term prepayments and other non-current assets

14,359

21,600

Operating lease right-of-use assets

231,104

340,231

Total assets

$ 4,927,949

$ 5,302,837

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

Current liabilities

Accounts payable

$ 127,321

$ 132,267

Deferred revenue-current

400,286

613,470

Amounts due to related parties-current

96

95

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

491,911

519,899

Operating lease liabilities, current portion

62,604

72,269

Total current liabilities

1,082,218

1,338,000

Deferred revenue-non-current

27,993

28,438

Deferred tax liabilities

2,360

2,254

Operating lease liabilities, non-current portion

176,614

273,461

Total liabilities

1,289,185

1,642,153

Equity

Class A common shares

152

153

Class B common shares

49

49

Additional paid-in capital

4,256,957

4,275,160

Statutory reserve

165,138

165,033

Accumulated deficit

(694,270)

(682,763)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(65,928)

(73,659)

Total TAL Education Group’s equity

3,662,098

3,683,973

Noncontrolling interests

(23,334)

(23,289)

Total equity

3,638,764

3,660,684

Total liabilities and equity

$ 4,927,949

$ 5,302,837

 

TAL EDUCATION GROUP

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share, ADS, per share and per ADS data) 

       For the Three Months Ended

        May 31,

2023

2024

 

Net revenues

 

$ 275,440

 

$ 414,187

Cost of revenues (note 1)

139,513

200,008

Gross profit

135,927

214,179

Operating expenses (note 1)

  Selling and marketing

97,657

122,428

  General and administrative

104,923

109,682

Total operating expenses

202,580

232,110

Government subsidies

8,880

601

Loss from operations

(57,773)

(17,330)

Interest income

22,981

22,522

Other (expense)/income

(6,845)

13,151

Impairment loss on long-term investments

(3,767)

(Loss)/Income before income tax expense and

loss from equity method investments

(41,637)

14,576

Income tax expense

(3,519)

(2,295)

Loss from equity method investments

(71)

(985)

Net (loss)/income

$ (45,227)

$ 11,296

Add: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests

190

106

Total net (loss)/income attributable to TAL
    Education Group

$ (45,037)

$ 11,402

Net (loss)/income per common share

Basic

$ (0.21)

$ 0.06

Diluted

(0.21)

0.06

Net (loss)/income per ADS (note 2)

Basic

$ (0.07)

$ 0.02

Diluted

(0.07)

0.02

 

Weighted average shares used in calculating net
    (loss)/income per common share

   Basic

211,319,973

201,567,132

   Diluted

211,319,973

205,382,443

Note1: Share-based compensation expenses are included in the operating costs and expenses as follows:

For the Three Months

Ended May 31,

2023

2024

Cost of revenues

$ 2,409

$ 2,362

Selling and marketing expenses

7,428

4,375

General and administrative expenses

15,676

11,469

Total

$ 25,513

$ 18,206

Note 2: Three ADSs represent one Class A common Share. 

 

 

 

TAL EDUCATION GROUP

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF

COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS)/INCOME  

(In thousands of U.S. dollars)

For the Three Months Ended

 May 31,

2023

2024

Net (loss)/income

$ (45,227)

$ 11,296

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax

(23,813)

(7,580)

Comprehensive (loss)/income

(69,040)

3,716

Add: Comprehensive income attributable to
   noncontrolling interests

(461)

(45)

Comprehensive (loss)/income attributable to 

TAL Education Group

$ (69,501)

$ 3,671

 

 

 

TAL EDUCATION GROUP

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF

CASH FLOWS

(In thousands of U.S. dollars)

For the Three Months
Ended

May 31,

2023

2024

Net cash provided by operating activities

$ 125,516

$ 246,793

Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities

160,915

(124,635)

Net cash (used in)/provided by financing activities

(151,237)

5

Effect of exchange rate changes

(4,510)

(1,217)

Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

130,684

120,946

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at the beginning of
   period

2,294,907

2,457,476

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at the end of period

$ 2,425,591

$ 2,578,422

 

 

 

TAL EDUCATION GROUP

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures to the Most Comparable GAAP Measures

(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share, ADS, per share and per ADS data)

  For the Three Months 

   Ended May 31,

2023

2024

Cost of revenues

$ 139,513

$ 200,008

Share-based compensation expenses in cost of

  revenues

2,409

2,362

Non-GAAP cost of revenues

137,104

197,646

Selling and marketing expenses

97,657

122,428

Share-based compensation expenses in selling and

  marketing expenses

7,428

4,375

Non-GAAP selling and marketing expenses

90,229

118,053

 

General and administrative expenses

 

104,923

 

109,682

Share-based compensation expenses in general and

  administrative expenses

15,676

11,469

Non-GAAP general and administrative expenses

89,247

98,213

Operating costs and expenses

342,093

432,118

Share-based compensation expenses in operating

  costs and expenses

25,513

18,206

Non-GAAP operating costs and expenses

316,580

413,912

Loss from operations

(57,773)

(17,330)

Share based compensation expenses

25,513

18,206

Non-GAAP (loss)/income from operations (note 3)

(32,260)

876

Net (loss)/income attributable to TAL Education 
Group

(45,037)

11,402

Share based compensation expenses

25,513

18,206

Non-GAAP net (loss)/income attributable to 
TAL Education Group (note 3)

$ (19,524)

$ 29,608

 

Net (loss)/income per ADS

Basic

$ (0.07)

$ 0.02

Diluted

(0.07)

0.02

Non-GAAP Net (loss)/income per ADS 

Basic

$ (0.03)

$ 0.05

Diluted

(0.03)

0.05

ADSs used in calculating net (loss)/income per 
ADS

Basic

633,959,919

604,701,396

Diluted

633,959,919

616,147,329

ADSs used in calculating Non-GAAP net
(loss)/income per ADS

 Basic

633,959,919

604,701,396

 Diluted

633,959,919

616,147,329

Note 3: The tax effect of share-based compensation expenses was immaterial in the first quarter of fiscal year 2025.

 

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SOURCE TAL Education Group

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Ricoh and LG Announce Global Partnership to Enhance Workplace Experience Solutions

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Expanding communication services capability in the global B2B market

TOKYO, Sept. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Ricoh Company, Ltd. today announced that it has concluded a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with LG Electronics (LG), a trusted partner offering innovative products and customized solutions for diverse industries worldwide, to collaborate on digital solutions for workplaces. Pairing Ricoh’s communication services and LG’s display products, this partnership will deliver B2B customers in the global market an elevated user experience and exceptional customer value. Through this partnership, Ricoh will further enhance its capability in the Workplace Experience domain, one of its growth areas, and it aims to be the top global audiovisual (AV) integrator.

Partnering with LG, Ricoh will strive to enhance its communication services in the Workplace Experience domain. Integration of high-quality devices such as signages and displays into Ricoh solutions will enrich Ricoh’s product and service portfolio and achieve a stable global supply. In addition, the two companies will jointly drive associated sales and marketing efforts and explore new business opportunities as the partnership unfolds.

Takahiro Irisa, Senior Corporate Officer and President of Ricoh Digital Services and Paik Ki-Mun, Senior Vice President and Head of the Information Display Business Unit of LG Business Solutions Company, present the signed memorandum of understanding.

As its mid-term vision, Ricoh aims to provide consistent global services as a workplace services provider in the changing workplace. In the Workplace Experience domain, Ricoh provides solutions enabling seamless collaboration in offices and other workplaces where hybrid work has become commonplace, enhancing people’s creativity. Ricoh empowers customers to focus on value adding, creative tasks and achieve organizational growth through its integrated solution propositions of hardware, software, and managed services that comfortably utilize them.

“The pairing of Ricoh’s office solutions with LG’s advanced display products will deliver impressive value to customers and further establish LG as one of the most trusted providers of integrated solutions in the B2B market,” said Paik Ki-Mun, Senior Vice President and Head of the Information Display Business Unit of LG Business Solutions Company. “LG will continue to pursue strategic partnerships with innovative global companies to create customized solutions for today’s business environment.”  

Takahiro Irisa, Senior Corporate Officer and President of Ricoh Digital Services Business Unit, Ricoh Company, Ltd. said “We firmly believe that this global strategic partnership with LG will accelerate Ricoh’s Workplace Experience business. Through the synergy between LG’s advanced display products and Ricoh’s communication services, we will continue to offer optimal workplace to our customers as a workplace services provider. Ricoh will continue to execute strategic partnerships to empower our customers to achieve fulfilment through work.”

 

 

| About Ricoh |

Ricoh is a leading provider of integrated digital services and print and imaging solutions designed to support the digital transformation of workplaces, workspaces and optimise business performance.

Headquartered in Tokyo, Ricoh’s global operation reaches customers in approximately 200 countries and regions, supported by cultivated knowledge, technologies, and organisational capabilities nurtured over its 85-year history. In the financial year ended March 2024, Ricoh Group had worldwide sales of 2,348 billion yen (approx. 15.5 billion USD).

It is Ricoh’s mission and vision to empower individuals to find ‘Fulfillment through Work’ by understanding and transforming how people work so we can unleash their potential and creativity to realise a sustainable future.

For further information, please visit www.ricoh.com

 

###

 

© 2024 RICOH ASIA PACIFIC PTE LTD. All rights reserved. All referenced product names are the trademarks of their respective companies.

 

 

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Wright, Moore, DeHart, Dupuis & Hutchinson Provides Notice of Data Security Incident

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LAFAYETTE, La., Sept. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Wright, Moore, DeHart, Dupuis & Hutchinson (“WMDDH”) has become aware of a data security incident that may have involved individuals’ personal information. WMDDH is providing notification to the potentially involved individuals about this incident, providing steps they can take to help protect their personal information, and offering the opportunity to enroll in complimentary credit monitoring and identity protection services.

What Happened. On or around July 11, 2023, WMDDH became aware of unusual network activity and immediately took steps to secure our systems. We launched an investigation with the assistance of leading cybersecurity experts to determine what happened and whether sensitive or personal information may have been affected during the incident. As a result of the investigation, we identified that certain WMDDH data may have been acquired without authorization. WMDDH then engaged an independent team to conduct a comprehensive review of all potentially affected data, and on May 8, 2024, that review determined that personal information may have been affected. WMDDH then worked diligently to identify contact information to effectuate notification and prepare the services being offered to affected individuals, as provided in more detail below. This process was completed on July 18, 2024.

What Information Was Involved. The information involved may have included individuals’ names, Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, financial account numbers, passport numbers, and/or medical/treatment information.

What We Are Doing. As soon as WMDDH learned of the incident, we took the measures described above and implemented additional security features to reduce the risk of a similar incident occurring in the future. We are also providing information about steps individuals can take to help protect their personal information.

Additionally, we are offering impacted individuals the opportunity to enroll in credit monitoring and identity protection services through Equifax®.

What You Can Do. Please review this notice carefully, along with the guidance included with this notice about additional steps that can be taken to protect your information.

WMDDH takes the security of information in its possession very seriously and has taken steps to prevent a similar event from occurring in the future. We deeply regret any concern or inconvenience this may cause.

Additional information is also available via WMDDH’s website.

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NAWI, a feature film whose visual effects were created by graduates from the Academy of Interactive Entertainment (AIE), has been officially nominated by Kenya for entry into the 97th Academy Awards in the category of Best International Feature Film. NAWI is a heartfelt story about a young girl’s journey towards empowerment and aims to shed light on a pressing issue that affects countless young women in the Turkana region of Kenya.

CANBERRA, Australia, Sept. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — NAWI, a feature film whose visual effects were created by graduates from the Academy of Interactive Entertainment (AIE), has been officially nominated by Kenya for entry into the 97th Academy Awards in the category of Best International Feature Film. NAWI is a heartfelt story about a young girl’s journey towards empowerment and aims to shed light on a pressing issue that affects countless young women in the Turkana region of Kenya.

“The film has a very important social message to tell so it was rewarding in many ways to be able to contribute to this project. NAWI was a fantastic opportunity for our graduates to put their skills to the test on a full-length feature film,” said Tom Pugh.

AIE graduates and teachers were given the opportunity to work on the film’s visual effects through AIE’s ongoing partnership with Learning Lions, who produced the film with Film Crew & Baobab Pictures. AIE is proud to support Learning Lions non-profit mission to enable young adults in marginalised rural communities of East Africa to become digital creatives by providing game development training and technology.

The visual effects for NAWI were brought to life by AIE teachers and experienced industry professionals, Thomas Magill and Tom Pugh, who were tasked with supervising the visual effects and liaising with the film’s Directors, Apuu Mourine, Kevin Schmutzler, Tobias Schmutzler and Toby Schmutzler. They assembled a team of recent AIE graduates and worked out how to create the effects required to immerse audiences in Nawi’s world.

“Graduates were able to take the skills they had learnt in class and apply them to cinema-quality footage. There was even a bit of nervous excitement working with professional expectations and deadlines,” said Tom Pugh.

Thomas Magill explained that most of the work involved compositing such as fixing blemishes, removing unwanted folds in clothing, changing pages in a book and removing background actors that were in the wrong place.

“We had a river shot where there was only a sandbank, and we had to create an entire island! There were several shots filmed in a dry riverbed which required us to create floodwater. We had to draw upon various disciplines: not just digital compositing but also visual effects creation and fluid simulations,” said Thomas Magill.

Both teachers enthused that the directors were a pleasure to work with and the collaboration was smooth.

“The film has a very important social message to tell so it was rewarding in many ways to be able to contribute to this project. NAWI was a fantastic opportunity for our graduates to put their skills to the test on a full-length feature film,” said Tom Pugh.

Learning Lions and AIE look forward to seeing NAWI progress through two rounds of voting by members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to narrow the list of submitted films down to five nominees for the Best International Feature Film.

About Academy of Interactive Entertainment (AIE)

AIE offers practical, career-focused courses delivered by industry-experienced teachers in 3D animation, game development, visual effects and film. Since 2019 AIE has sponsored scholarships to their Certificate and Diploma programs to Learning Lions student. AIE provided laptops and is supporting with opportunities at various gaming companies around the world for paid part-time and full-time work.

https://aie.edu.au/

About Learning Lions

Learning Lions is fighting poverty with digital opportunity. Established in 2015, Learning Lions equips local youth with essential IT and media skills, and empowering them to become entrepreneurs and self-sustaining individuals. By leveraging digital services, these aspiring entrepreneurs not only support themselves but also provide opportunities for others through employment and mentorship.

https://www.learninglions.org/

Media Contact

Neil Boyd, Academy of Interactive Entertainment, 61 434273190, neilb@aie.edu.au, https://aie.edu.au/

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SOURCE Academy of Interactive Entertainment

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