The Astronomers Sun now online!

I'm delighted to announce that after an amazing festival run, “The Astronomers Sun” is now available to view online!

Thanks to Adam Kirk for uploading the film to the Duchy Parade Films YouTube page in breathtaking HD, and for updating the website on which it now resides. We hope this will find a new audience, and we encourage you all to promote it and tell the world!

The Astronomers Sun has had a terrific festival run, playing in over 70 festivals around the world, and embraced both critically and by audiences and winning 16 awards to date. It’s broken Screen Yorkshires record as their most successful animated short film by quite a stretch. It’s a testament to everyone who worked on this film and did so much to make it what it is – to Simon and Jess, and the entire production team who helped bring it to the screen. Major thanks also has to go to Peter Kershaw who has along with me, been promoting it at festivals for going on for two years now and Adam Kirk who has been sending copies of the film in various screening formats to festivals around the world.

Thanks eveyone for supporting us.

Enjoy!

BBC TV News - Young Goole filmmakers win Hollywood awards

Thanks to BBC Look North for covering news of our recent Hollywood award success! You can view the report on the link below. This project was a real educational highlight for me and I'm incredibly proud of our young directors, actors and crew who came together to make these films. I was blessed to have a terrific team of professionals work of this project with me to create a mini film school for young people. Particular thanks must go to Nicola Dixon at Junction who initiated this project, Will and the others at Straight 8 for letting us join forces, and Screen Yorkshire & the UK Film Council for funding the programme and their invaluable support.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-17559277

April Film Festival buzz for Ecuador

We've are exited to be playing in some fantastic festivals in April.
So many in fact, I've set up a seperate blog to handle news for "I wish I went to Ecuador".
http://ecuadorfilm.blogspot.co.uk/

VAFI 3rd International Children and Youth Animation Film Festival Varazdin

12-15 April 2012

Hurry! It's on now!

One Earth Film Festival, Chicago USA

Screening at their opening gala! on 27th April along w another short film from the Field Museum of Natural History "Restoring Earth". I've been told a group of young cyclists will be there who are biking across the USA to raise funds to purchase rainforest land to protect! Wow!

5Point Film Festival, an adventure film
festival based in Aspen/Carbondale. 26-29th April

AniFest, Prague

26 April - 1st May

One of the great European animation festivals.

Bradford International Film Festival, UK

Showing as part of the Widescreeen Weekend

Cinerama! Cinerama! 29th April

We took the pupils who made this film to see "This is Cinerama" at the National Media Museum and inspire them about wide screen cinema, so it's fitting the film is screening on Europes only cinerma screen as part of the 60th anniversary of Cinerama! Treats and surprises from the world of widescreen cinema are promised, with clips, short documentaries and those special touches that make Sunday morning at the Widescreen Weekend so special. I will be there to present the film.

Hollywood award and a letter from Al Gore!!!

We are all celebrating after animated documentary, “I wish I went to Ecuador”, made by 360 children to raise awareness of deforestation in Ecuador and the work of their school teacher to preserve them has landed the award for Best Foreign Animation in the Youth Fest category of the prestigious Hollywood International Family Film Festival!

The film, which has been receiving awards from around the world caught the eye of Al Gore. He explained:

The film tells the story of the life changing expedition of their primary school teacher, Mrs Jones, to the Andes, the Cloud Forest and the Rain Forest and charts her realisation that she needed to do something to help preserve it.
Victoria says the experience has changed her life for the better.“Little did I think when I stepped onto that plane [to Ecuador] that it would turn out like this. I was just going to go away for two weeks, have a good time, find out a few bits about another country and it’s just changed my life, for the better, and hopefully it’s going to change loads of lives, it’s going to change the way we think about our role. It’s going to change the way that children, who live in an inner city area can make a difference to children right on the other side of the world.”

One Hull of a Rainforest aims to raise approximately£250,000 to purchase and protect 100 hectares of land which lie at the heart of the Maquipucuna reserve.

Natasha Banke from One Hull of Rainforest says the global attention is “absolutely incredible” and stresses the organizations message is vital for people outside across the world. “It isn’t just about people in Hull making a difference. It’s about people globally making a difference. “Hopefully people from all over the world will now look at our website and learn more about One Hull of Rainforest and maybe schools globally will start something similar to what we are doing in Hull.”

The film is now being shown at some of the leading environmental film festivals worldwide and can be viewed on YouTube.

2 Hollywood awards for Goole Straight 8!

Two young directors from Goole, who took part in a film-making project at Junction last Spring, are celebrating after their films won awards in the Youth Fest category of the prestigious Hollywood International Family Film Festival.    

"Going Up" won the Best Foriegn Comedy award. Directed by Harvey Griffin (aged 15) and co-written by Sam Pratt it featurs young crew members and actors from Goole.  Harvey gave an acceptance speech live to the Hollywood audience from his home via a live video link. He said he was honoured and “proper chuffed” to win the award!

Pitch perfect performances from Mathew Oldreive Francesca Jackson. PS a little bit of trivia - watch out for my cameo!

going up - a straight 8 film by harvey griffin from straight eight on Vimeo.

Hannah Turner (aged 13) made her first film aged 7. Her film “Man from the Moon” was awarded finalist for Best Foreign Drama and combines animation with live action. It again used a young cast and crew from Goole supported by a terrific performance by Alec Cark (aged 77) who travelled from Sowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire to play the title role. He said, “Great news about Hollywood. I knew I'd get there one day!”  For experience for Hannah has been life changing. She said, “I have thoroughly enjoyed the entire process and it has encouraged me to continue making films and pursue a career in film making. I would also like to thank everyone who helped me to make this possible. I am really 'over the moon'"


man from the moon - a straight 8 film by hannah turner from straight eight on Vimeo.

Charlie Studdy, Arts & Leisure Manager at Junction said ‘We are immensely proud of what these young people have achieved; they really put so much hard work into the planning and creativity in these films.  I’m delighted that they have won awards in Hollywood, a great opportunity for two teenagers from Goole to showcase the fantastic talents the youth of Goole has to offer.’ 

The film making project was made possible by a grant from Screen Yorkshire and UK film Council through the Regional Investment Fund for England.  Sally Joynson, Chief Executive at Screen Yorkshire, said: “This is an amazing achievement for these young filmmakers – to win International Film Awards in Hollywood shows how Yorkshire and Humber is a hotbed of filmmaking talent across all ages. I’d like to congratulate both teams on this brilliant success, next stop the OSCARs!”

Congratulations everyone!

Driving Inspiration - call UK aniamtors

Sorry for the lack of posts - been totally busy on losts of exciting projects - and none more exciting than this - an international co-production education programme for the Paralypics. 10 countries are partnering with UK schools to produce a spcial aniamted film for the cultural Olympiad for London 2012 and I've been asked to direct it.



Driving Inspiration is about telling the stories of the Paralympic Games and Paralympians through dance, theatre, visual arts, creative writing, music and film, and the personal journeys of the disabled artists. It is about inspiring young disabled and non-disabled people to identify and fulfil their own dreams, and to celebrate diversity.



We have truly inspirationsal artist working on this - but none more inspirational than Acadamy nominated animator Gary Schwartz, who's going to be kick of the project and work video link with all the international schools for some very specail masterclasses!



Gary calls it 'great big Animated International Exquisite Corpse Anijam'!



I’m urgently looking for good animators with some experience facilitating workshops with young people – who also have a disability, a hidden disabiltiy (such as dyslexia like me) or a learning difficulty to get in touch and help  lead UK workshops.

I’m looking for animators with a disability who are comfortable working with a group of children and young people to facilitate the creation of a piece of animation working to a brief, and comfortable talking about their disability to groups of young people.

I’m ideally looking for people with experience of working with young people in community or schools settings, but professional experience is equally – if not more important.

iving Inspiration partners disabled artists with paralympians, to share their inspiring success. Driving Inspiration is a project led by Creative Bucks a partnership between the District and County councils of Buckinghamshire. This project has been funded by Art Council England, and the South East's Legacy Trust project, Accentuate, to encourage young people to explore the inspiration behind the achievements of Paralympics Athletes.

Alma

OK, so there aren't many posts from me at the mo as I'm very busy working a little hush hush number, which hopefully won't be too hush hush for much longer! One of the things we are doing at the mo is being treated to some wonderful films and I thought I'd share one of them with you.


The wonderful, and deliciously spooky, short film "Alma" by Pixar alum, Rodrigo Blaas. Picked out by Andrew Allen at Short of the Week Enjoy!

Goole film-makers get Hollywood nominations

Two young directors from Goole, who took part in a film-making project at Junction last Spring, have had their films nominated in the Youth Fest category of the prestigious Hollywood International Family Film Festival. 
  

Harvey Griffin (aged 15) directed a short film entitled Going Up, which also featured young crew members and young actors from Goole. Harvey is pleased to have been nominated and, as there appears to be only one nomination in the Comedy category, looks set to scoop the award.
Hannah Turner (aged 13) made her first film aged 7. Her film “Man from the Moon” is nominated for Best Drama. and combines animation with live action. It again used a young cast and crew from Goole supported by a terrific performance by Alec Cark (aged 77) who travelled from Sowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire to play the title role. He said, “Great news about Hollywood. I knew I'd get there one day!” Hannah is ecstatic to have been selected for the Hollywood screening, saying “I found the process very interesting and I have learnt a lot from the entire film course.”

Charlie Studdy, Arts & Leisure Manager at Junction said ‘We are immensely proud of what these young people have achieved; they really put so much hard work into the planning and creativity in these films. I’m delighted that they have been nominated in Hollywood, a great opportunity for two teenagers from Goole to showcase the fantastic talents the youth of Goole has to offer.’

Goole Straight8 was a 6 month film project for young people held at Junction, led by professional film-maker David Bunting. David, who started making films as a child on Super 8 before working on films like “Shaun the Sheep”, Disney’s “The Tigger Movie” and Channel 4’s “The Astronomers Sun” says ‘“While any film festival success is a real accomplishment, the truth is a Hollywood nomination is a massive deal for any filmmaker and our young filmmakers should be very proud of what they have accomplished. Their films will be screened on a Hollywood lot along with the best films made by young people from around the world. What’s really remarkable is our films were short on film and unedited, under strict competition rules set by Straight 8. Making films is hard enough, but the added challenges of editing in camera, meant our young filmmakers really had to plan every element of their film – with no chance of a second take. And maybe that’s the ultimate reason for their success. All of the professionals who worked with the young people put a huge amount of trust in them and our young people rose to the challenge! The whole thing was like a mini film school.”
Both films were made for Straight8 - a film competition like no other, in which entrants are provided with 8mm film and only get one shot at capturing their short movie. There is no opportunity to edit what has been filmed, and the first time the filmmakers got to see their work was at the premiere last summer at the ICA in London. Each applicant sent their unprocessed reel of film to the festival, who developed and viewed it to make their selections. Due to the tough challenge of making the film, it is usually experienced film-makers and degree-level film students that enter their work – it is very rare that young people get such an opportunity to have their work shown at this level. Straight8 Festival organiser Will Cummock said ‘Straight 8 is a tough challenge for any filmmaker, so it's fantastic to see young people taking it on so successfully’.

The film making project was made possible by a grant from Screen Yorkshire and UK film Council through the Regional Investment Fund for England. Sally Joynson, Chief Executive at Screen Yorkshire, said: “This is an amazing achievement for these young filmmakers – to be recognised internationally and have your film screened in Hollywood is something they won’t forget. It just goes to show how Yorkshire and Humber is a hotbed of filmmaking talent across all ages. I’d like to congratulate both teams on this brilliant achievement.”

California Hero

It’s official – a group of children from Hull are heros in California! “The Lion at Home”, made by pupils at Bricknell Priamry School in Hull in partnership with the National Media Museum and the Ferens Art Gallery just keeps roaring on! It recieved an honorable award in the Student Animation category for the 2011 MY HERO International Film Festival. What makes this award truly astounding is it won in the Student Animation Category, beating postgraduate entries!!

David Kelly, Associate Media Director at The MY HERO Projects said, he was "utterly charmed" by the films energy and humor.

"It tells a lovely story with such zest and aplomb that I was surprised to find out that the filmmakers were a team of Year 4 students, learning animation from David Bunting. We at MY HERO were ready to program the film on its own merits, but knowing that it was inspired by the imagination of such young artists made that decision particularly rewarding."

You can veiw the film along with the other winning films on the website's new 2011 MY HERO Film Festival Winner's page

Creativity in the Classroom workshops for 2012

I'm really pleased to announce an exciting series of training courses I'm running with Kudlian Software, makers of I Can Animate, around the country next year, when I'll be taking my popular teacher training day on the road. In this hand hands on learning day, teachers be trained through the whole process of animation filmmaking, from concept to animation and post production, creating a short piece of animation to take back to school. Dates so far are 24th January in Bradford, a special iPad day on 22nd Feburary in Linconshire, 28th February Hull and 2nd March in Leeds.

To register visit

www.kudlian.net/getcreative.html

or for more information call 01926 842544 or email

info@kudlian.net

Q&A at the BFI

Fresh from success at BAF, "I wish I went to Ecuador" is screening at London's BFI as part of We the Peoples Film Festival! The film has become a favourite on Your World View and I've been invited to travel down to London for a Q&A. The film is really making waves - today Victoria meets Lord Prescott to talk about One Hull of a Rainforest and I'm looking forward to sharing the outcome of the meeting to the BFI audience. The film, which was made for the big screen is screening in full HD cinema resolution and 5.1 surround so check it out at the BFI if you can make it.

BAF Best Film by Young Animators

Hot off the heals of the award success at Kids for Kids UK, "I wish I went to Ecuador" (Bricknell Primary School) was awarded the coveted BAF award for Best Film by Young Animators on Saturday. BAF received more entries this year than ever before for this award and the competition from around the world made this award truly special.

The jury of distinguished animators Barry Purvis, Linda McCarthy and Irina Margolina said:

We were so impressed by the epic cinematic quality of this film, not only with its glorious colours, but with its inventive technique. On top of this was a very powerful and moving message presented with such charm and infectious energy.

Kudlian Software supported the award and generously presented Victoria from Bricknell School with copies of I Can Animate 2, Pro Animate and a HD webcam. It's the perfect gift as Kudlian supported production of the film and customised Pro Animate, achieving a technical milestone - the first film made by children to be filmed in HD CinemaScope and mastered in DCP.

From left: Festival director Deb Singleton, myself, Victoria Jones, Kudlian Software MD James Betts

The awards on 12th November coincided with the groundbreaking BBC documentary project, Britain in a Day and we filmed the whole day from Victoria's perspective. The rushes are available for viewing along with thousands of others on YouTube.

Jury at Leeds International Film Festival

I am really honoured to have been invited on the Jury at this years Leeds International Film Festival. 5 full days of films coming up! I’m too thirds through judging the international animation competition and boy are there some extraordinary film in the category. I feel inspired and privileged just to have seen them. For those in the area, it's an amazing festival - well worth checking out.

Tenacity and Talent

I've been invited by Animated Yorkshire to join this industry panel of animators the Bradford Animation Festival, showing short clips of recent work and sharing experiences of the highs and lows of the animation business. Joining me will be Tim Searle (Baby Cow Animation), Rob Millington (The Neighbourhood), Linda McCarthy (Tiny Elephants), Mole Hill (Animator/Director/Designer) and Matt Howarth (Puppetman Productions). I feel quite intimidated just reading the list! Take a look at the Animated Yorkshire website for more information about the panel members. Friday 11th November, 12-2.30pm. You can book tickets here.

New film debuts at arts festival

Good write up about the premiere of Betty and Dorothy in todays Ripon Gazette

Grand Prize for I wish I went to Ecuador

“I wish I went to Ecuador”, Bricknell Primary School's conservation film mentored by myself, was awarded the Grand Prize for Outstanding Film - twice! - at the Kids for Kids UK Film Festival this weekend in the 6-12 category, by both the professional and youth jury. Kids for Kids UK is set-up to help promote young film and media makers throughout the UK. KFK UK is the national partner of the international Kids for Kids Film Festival Movement which comes under the umbrella of CIFEJ (International Centre of Film for Children and Young Adults). The next nomination will be at the Bradford Animation Festival on Saturday 12 November! Congratuations to everyone. The film is inspired by one primary teacher's life changing visit to the Andes, the Cloud Forest and the Rain Forest. You can see the film online on Your World View.

Making The Astronomers Sun

If you are interested in knowing more about the production of "The Astronomers Sun", then this vodcast should be of interest. Writer/Directors Simon Cartright and Jessica Cope discuss the making of the film with me. It sounds like we recoreded it in a toilet, but it's worth a listen.

California hero

Maybe it's a reference to the heroic children who made it, it's heroic success, or simply because the hero is the price of heroic icons, a lion, but “The Lion At Home" is a finalist in the 2011 MY HERO International Film Festival. They celebrate stories of heroism via their festival, multi-media events, and through our parent organization The MY HERO Project, a media-arts non-profit based in Laguna Beach, CA! You can watch it now on the Kids for Kids new film website. Bowing October 21st, KIDS FIRST!’s top rated shorts for children will be available for viewing at http://shorts.kidsfirstmedia.com. The portfolio of indie shorts includes animation, live action, student and independent shorts and features the KIDS FIRST! Best of Fest Winners.

Betty and Dorothy premieres at Masham Arts Festival Tuesday 25 Oct

I'm looking forward to the red carpet photo call for young and old stars of Masham animated film World Premiere, which sheds light on a true WW2 romance - 25^th October, 7.30pm at Masham Town Hall.Commissioned by Masham Arts Festival, ittells the uplifting story of two of Mashams oldest surviving residents.

Betty and Dorothy is animated by pupils at Kell Bank C.E. Primary School in Healy, North Yorkshire where I've spent the last few weeks working with the pupils. Back in 2009 i worked with Kell Bank to make the critically acclaimed “Leeds Pals” which commemorates the 750 people who died from the Leeds regiment on July 1st, 1916. The film won nominations and awards worldwide, from Hollywood to Bollywood and it's been a joy to be back at this very special school.

In the new film, “Betty and Dorothy”, Betty Thorbutt and Dorothy Kibbat reveal an extraordinary period of change in country life, through war and peace, and a friendship that remained constant through it all. At 9 minutes it's been the longest film I've every created with a school, though it's apt for this story which spans a lifetime. It reveals an astonishing period of change in British country life through war and peace and a friendship that remained constant through it all. brings to life an incredible World War 2 romance between a teenage farmer’s daughter and a German Prisoner of War, Willi Kibbat, shedding rare insight on an important part of British history.

Dorothy’s daughter, Christel, who accompanied her mother to a private screening of an early version of the film at Kell Bank School on Tuesday said, “It was a very special experience to meet the wonderful children and teachers of Kell Bank School and see the stories and paintings of our farm and village life made into a film. They told so well of our friendships across the years and how even our enemies can become friends if we all work together, as the POW’s did on our farms after the war. I’m very glad that Willi’s unique story is remembered in this way.”

Evoking the watercolour artwork of Nidderdale, the film was lovingly handcrafted with local artist Simon Palmer, winner of the Royal Academy Turner Watercolour Award and Masham based artist Ian Scott Massie teaching the pupils how to paint with watercolour. Dave Aston from the Digital Audio Company, who is known for Sound Design on ITV classic dramas ‘A Touch of Frost’and ‘Wire in the Blood’and Channel 4’s multi-award winning “The Astronomers Sun”, worked with children in Hull to bring to life the sounds of countryside and the drama of World War 2 in Digital stereo.

Dorothy, who celebrated her 82^nd birthday this year, will be joining the young animators and the crew on the red carpet for the premiere and a Q&A. We will also be screening Leeds Pals and "The Astronomers Sun". 25^th October, 7.30pm at Masham Town Hall.

Monday, 24 October 2011BEST ANIMATION at the Santa Fe Independent Film Festival

A huge thank you to the audience and jury at the Santa Fe Independent Film Festival, USA who presented "The Astronomers Sun" with it's 16th award for BEST ANIMATION last weekend. This is the 3rd award in a row from New Mexico and it's humbling to see the NM audience take the film to their hearts.