April 30, 2008 -- When Summer Menefee, director of the Family Resource Room at Children's Hospital Boston, described how important it was for her group to be able to inform and inspire their patients and families, CDIABU students took the challenge to heart.

Inspired by the need to make cancer an accessible topic for kids, CDIABU's 3D animation department has developed an animated short titled The Adventures of Zak and Dakota, the story of a child battling cancer. Upon completion, this resource will be translated into multiple languages and made available worldwide. "It's not just that our students get a real world experience from this project," says 3D animation instructor Andrew Britton. "They also get to make a difference."

And making a difference is exactly what they will attempt on May 10, 2008, when the Center hosts a 24-hour animation marathon devoted exclusively to completing this project for Children's Hospital Boston. Students and alumni will work from 5:00pm on May 10 to 5:00pm on May 11, coming together, generating ideas and just animating, animating, animating. Food, drink, nap areas and prizes will be provided. Donations are welcome.

This project is part of the Practicum Program at CDIABU, a dynamic opportunity allowing students to complete real-world projects, create new networks and build portfolios to serve them professionally. The school has partnered with non-profit organizations locally, globally and online, who can benefit from the impact and reach of digital media. Embracing the power of technology, Practicum encourages students to innovate and to inspire.

CDIABU is committed to making media that matters. Our faculty members work closely with the non-profit community to explore how digital media creates networks, raises awareness and mobilizes resources. Under the guidance of these faculty advisors and using the knowledge gained during their certificate programs, students develop video, digital photography, websites, marketing materials, 3D animation and audio production projects with organizations making a difference in the world.

BU's Center for Digital Imaging Arts has two US locations in Waltham, MA and Washington, DC which offer intensive, practical, hands-on, career-oriented training in the rapidly emerging digital arts fields of Photography, Digital Filmmaking, Graphic & Web Design, Audio Production, Web Development and 3D Animation. For more information please call 800-808-CDIA or visit http://www.CDIABU.com