India's Toonz Animation, run by a group of former Disney and Turner executives, is to launch an animation school in May.

Based in Thiruvananthapuram, Toonz Animation India was recently ranked among the top 10 animation studios in the world. According to Bill Dennis, president and CEO, the Toonz initiative is aimed at meeting the acute shortfall of trained personnel in the country - even as the animation industry holds the prospects for rapid growth.

Those who enrol for the Toonz programme would get the chance to work on the company's international projects as a part of the course content. They will also have the opportunity to work in the development and pre-production departments.

Toonz Animation School will hold courses in three areas: Animation for six months; layout for six months and In-between/Clean up for four months.

The company has also struck a deal with a financial institution to provide support to the students who join the course. The best student will be provided with a placement in Toonz Animation's studios in Thiruvananthapuram and Mumbai. The company recently established offices in Japan and Australia.