Ali Bordbar

3D Art and Animation Production (Art Institute of Vancouver)
Photo of Ali Bordbar, Entertainment Arts Instructor

Regular Faculty 

Ali Bordbar is a seasoned 3D artist, educator, professional photographer, and real-time production specialist with over 20 years of industry experience and 15 years of teaching in post-secondary education. Based in Vancouver, Ali has taught at numerous institutions and mentored a diverse range of students, blending technical training with creative exploration. His work spans VFX, animation, game development, and photography, including contributions to TV, commercials, and major productions such as Call of Duty, Mortal Kombat, FIFA, Back 4 Blood, Gears of War, Battleborn, Need for Speed, Expeditions: Rome, and Transformers.

Ali is passionate about storytelling and cinematic production, with a strong focus on real-time workflows using Unreal Engine. He has also participated in international academic collaborations, hosting exchange programs with schools from Denmark and Brazil. Currently, Ali is exploring the future of real-time production and AI through his company, Elated Dharma Production Inc. At his studio, the focus is on creating engaging, story-driven projects inspired by Canadian nature, history, heritage, and art.

Courses taught

  • ENTA 1101: Digital Photography in Entertainment Arts
  • ENTA 1121: Intro to 3D for Entertainment Arts
  • ENTA 1323: Industry Prep in Entertainment Arts 3D
  • ENTA 1323: Industry Prep in Entertainment Arts VFX
  • ENTA 1221: Intro to Modeling
  • ENTA 1113: Photography for VFX
  • ENTA 2314: VFX Portfolio
  • ENTA 2311: VFX Project: Preproduction
  • ENTA 2312: VFX Project: Production
  • ENTA 2313: VFX Project: Production Final

Areas of Interest

Ali’s areas of interest include real-time rendering, technical art, virtual production, cinematic storytelling using Unreal Engine, and professional photography. He is especially engaged in the creative potential of interactive storytelling and worldbuilding, as well as the educational impact of emerging technologies. His ongoing focus lies in preparing students for the demands of the 3D and VFX industries, fostering career readiness through mentorship, demo reel development, and industry-aligned training.

Beyond the screen, Ali is an avid outdoorsman with a love for hiking, backpacking, and spending time in nature. He also has a background in mixed martial arts, reflecting his lifelong interest in discipline, movement, and personal growth through physical activity.