Quebec’s visual effects industry continues to expand with the announcement that France-based FX and animation shop BUF is opening a Canadian office.

BUF Canada will set up shop in the greater Montreal area, the company announced Monday, with capacity for approximately 80 positions in its first year and “the ability to expand to 125 artists in the next three years,” according to a statement.

In addition to ongoing FX and animation work – its resume includes work on recent FX-heavy endeavors such as Life of Pi and The Grandmaster – BUF Canada is also setting up a research and development department to create new software for special effects.

BUF’s entry into Canada follows the migration of several other high-profile firms into Quebec in the last year, including U.K.-based FX giants Framestore and Cinesite, thanks to industry-friendly tax breaks and incentives.

Montreal International, a non-profit, private-public partnership that strives to attract international organizations and direct foreign investments to Montreal, has been meeting with BUF executives since 2012, Dominique Anglade, president and CEO of Montreal International, told Playback.

“This project…highlights the many advantages offered by Greater Montreal that have attracted industry leaders, such as the availability of a qualified and creative labour pool and a favourable business environment,” Anglade said.

The company also has offices in France and Belgium.

Montreal skyline image courtesy of Shutterstock