Animation Celebrates 30 Years of Graduate Success

At Anima 2016, Senior Tutor Tim Webb introduced a selection of recent graduate films. This screening was part of ‘Studying Animation in the UK’, a strand of the festival that brought together tutors from animation courses in the UK to showcase graduate films and students’ talents.

‘I felt proud to present a short programme of films from the last five years, which illustrate the depth of ideas, approaches to narrative, animation techniques and strength in sound,’ said Tim. ‘The talent of our students never fails to amaze me.’

Graduates also enjoyed individual success at Anima 2016. Marcus Armitage’s film My Dad (2014) won the Award for Best Student Short Film. My Dad provides a snapshot of contemporary Britain, focusing on the complex and charged subject of inherited racism. The award from Anima is the latest in a long list of accolades the film has received; in 2015 it was awarded Cristal for Graduation Film at Annecy France, Best Animation at the Smalls Film Festival and received a BAFTA nomination.

Reflecting on the impact of his time at the RCA, Marcus explained: ‘Studying at the RCA gave me a desire to do my own thing, to push my own ideas as far as they can go. You can learn so much in those two years, and most of that comes from the community of motivated students from all kinds of backgrounds. If anything, the RCA taught me to enjoy myself when making my films, and to always take risks.’

Yao Xiang also received special mention in the Best Student Short Film Category at Anima 2016 for her film Fish Is What I Desire (2015). Yao’s film is based on her own personal experience, revealing hidden problems within society and fractured relationships between generations. ‘I was really lucky to have tutors and course mates to help me develop the ideas into the final work,’ Yao explained. ‘It was a big challenge to me, but I really discovered my passion to work with narrative.’ 

‘The MA Animation graduates’ films have continued to grab prizes at major festivals over the last year, where they receive our films eagerly with open arms’ explained Jane Colling, Animation Festivals Co-ordinator. Examples of successes in 2015 include:

Half Wet (2014) by Sophie Gate was shortlisted for Best Student Animation at London Short Film Festival and won the Bronze Jabberwocky Award at Etiudia & Anima in Kraków.

Loop Ring Chop Drink (2014) by Nicolas Ménard won Best Student Film at Anima, Animated Grand Prix at Encounters Bristol, and the Walt Disney Animation Prize for Best Graduation Animation at Ottawa International Animation Festival.

Meanwhile (2014) by Stephen McNally received many accolades including, Best Animation at Sehsuechte Festival Germany, Grand Prize Next Generation at the Brussels Short Film Festival, and Best Student Animation at Animafest Zagreb Croatia.

Small People With Hats (2014) by Sarina Nihei was awarded Best Student Film at the Holland Animation Film Festival and Best Independent Short Animation and Award for Best Sound at Ottawa International Animation Festival.

The River (2015) by Heeseon Kim was the Winner of the Chitrakatha International Student Animation Festival, Ahmedabad India.

Dr Birgitta Hosea, who was recently appointed Head of Animation, reflected on these successes: ‘These award-winning students from MA Animation at the RCA will go on to shape the future of the animation industry. The programme plans to build on these achievements with two new specialist pathways in Documentary and Experimental Animation.’

Two screenings at the Animated Exeter festival looked both to the history and future of Animation at the RCA, featuring innovative films from recent graduates alongside retrospective works. Animation was first established as an independent MA in 1985, although prior to this, it was taught as part of the National Film & Television School. The selected films explore the rich history of animation at the College, alongside the creativity of students from the programme's two pathways.

The current Animation MA attracts artists and makers from a broad background of disciplines including science, maths, architecture, computing, literature and art history, as well as fine art and communications. This multidisciplinary environment is one in which students are trained to be directors who challenge and expand existing methods for the production, exhibition and interpretation of animation.