Humber Polytechnic showcases international collaboration at France x Canada 2.0 during Toronto Games Week

Humber Esports managed on-site logistics, livestream production and more

By Randy Girard, Humber Esports Marketing and Communications Specialist on
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A group of smiling people are standing together. Many of them are wearing Humber Polytechnic shirts.

Humber Polytechnic hosted France x Canada 2.0: Empowering Inclusive Play, a cross-cultural celebration of esports, education, and innovation, at Humber Downtown campus in Toronto. The event was a key highlight of Toronto Games Week, which was held in conjunction with the city's first-ever Video Game Month.

Now in its second year, France x Canada brought together students, educators, industry leaders, and esports professionals from both countries to explore the power of international collaboration in gaming. The one-day event offered a blend of competition, conversation, and community-building, reflecting Humber’s commitment to experiential learning and inclusive industry engagement.

The day featured a Minecraft exhibition presented by Girls Who Game, showcasing the creativity and problem-solving of young players in a design-focused environment. A global panel discussion on the Olympic Esports Movement followed, highlighting the growing intersection between traditional sport institutions and competitive gaming. The event culminated in a headline Tekken 8 show match between emerging Canadian and French players, streamed live on Twitch.tv to a global audience.

A person speaks into a microphone while standing in front of a screen that has Girls Who Game on it.

“This wasn’t just about showcasing top players,” said Bernard Mafei, senior administrator of Humber Esports. “It was about modeling what the future of inclusive, international esports can look like when students, institutions, and industry work together.”

The event was co-presented by the Ambassade de France au Canada, Institut français, Women in Games France, Esport Canada, Dell Technologies, and Incendium. Humber Esports managed on-site logistics, livestream production, and event promotion, with students playing an integral role in operations and post-event content creation.

In the final Tekken 8 matchup, Team France’s Akaane and Bila faced off against Team Canada’s BoosterBlast and Drakidus, delivering a high-energy showdown that captured the excitement and spirit of international competition.

A group of smiling people pose for a photo.

France x Canada 2.0 continues a growing tradition of global partnership within Humber Esports, reinforcing the institution’s position as a national leader in post-secondary gaming and a platform for student opportunity, cultural exchange, and sector innovation.