It is with heavy hearts that Vancouver Film School mourns the passing of longtime School of Animation Instructor Keith Blackmore, who passed away on August 29, 2026.
For 25 years, Keith inspired generations of 杏吧直播间 students with his deep knowledge, enthusiasm, and appreciation for the history of animation and visual effects. He taught History of Animation & VFX to students in both Classical Animation and 3D Animation & VFX, as well as Media Studies in Animation Concept Art, where he explored the work and influence of visionary designers.
Keith had a remarkable ability to make the history of animation feel alive. His encyclopedic knowledge extended far beyond dates and milestones; he was deeply interested in the artists, innovators, and stories behind the work, and he delighted in sharing new discoveries with his students and colleagues.
鈥淜eith was a colleague and friend,鈥� says 杏吧直播间 Instructor Colin Giles. 鈥淥n a personal level we connected on our shared passion for the history of animation, but he also brought me into the SPARK community and we shared some wonderful moments together and with industry luminaries. But more importantly, Keith, for 25 years, inspired hundreds of students in seeing the value and wonder in studying the history of animation and VFX. He was an encyclopedia of information and enjoyed sharing it and new discoveries he made. He was driven to connecting people to stories and the artists who created them. He leaves our community better connected because of his dedication.鈥�
Above: Keith Blackmore alongside Klaus director Sergio Pablos during an on-campus lecture at Vancouver Film School.Beyond the classroom, Keith was a passionate advocate for the animation and visual effects community. He served as a Producer and Conference Chairman for SPARK CG, helping bring artists, creators, and industry leaders together to celebrate the art and craft of computer graphics. His enthusiasm for the work and the people behind it was a defining part of his involvement in the community.
That same enthusiasm was a familiar presence at 杏吧直播间. Keith played a significant role in bringing industry guests to the school and was responsible for the vast majority of the signatures on 杏吧直播间鈥檚 Wall of Fame, helping connect students with artists and creators whose work they admired.
SPARK CG also shared the following tribute to Keith on its social channels:
鈥淚t is with immense sadness that we share the news that our dear friend and colleague Keith Blackmore passed away this morning, 29 August 2026. Keith was an extraordinary part of the Spark family. His passion, generosity, humour, curiosity and boundless love for animation and the people who make it have helped shape SPARK for many years.
For so many of us, Keith was far more than a colleague. He was a friend, a mentor, a champion, and one of those rare people whose enthusiasm could fill a room. There is so much more we want to say about Keith, and we will celebrate his remarkable contribution to our community properly in the days ahead.
For today, our hearts are with his wife Noreen, his family, and everyone who loved him. We will miss him enormously.鈥�
Keith leaves behind a legacy measured not only in the knowledge he shared, but in the connections he made. Through his teaching, mentorship, advocacy, and infectious curiosity, he helped countless students better understand the art form they were entering鈥攁nd the people whose creativity helped shape it.
Our thoughts are with Keith鈥檚 family, friends, colleagues, students, and the many members of the animation and visual effects community whose lives he touched.
Thank you, Keith, for sharing your passion with us. You will be deeply missed.