British Animation Awards Preview: All-Women Best Undergraduate Finalists
As you may have known, the 2020 British Animation Awards finalists were announced last month – the awards that recognise all forms of animation from student work to commercials, children’s entertainment, short and experiential films, music videos and new technologies.
In an encouraging sign for the industry, all four finalists in the Best Undergraduate category are women; with two of these being UCA Farnham graduates, with Falmouth University and Arts University Bournemouth comprising the other two.
Make a note of these names as they embark on their career, as we take a look at the four films that have been nominated…
Border Line – by Megan Earls (UCA Farnham)
Border Line is a film that raised awareness about the issue of illegal abortion in Northern Ireland. Lesley Adams, the Programme Director of UCA’s BA Animation course said: “Megan’s film highlights the difficult physical and emotional journey that some Northern Irish women are forced to take each day to access the same healthcare rights as women on the mainland.”
Border Line by Megan Earls
Dear England – by Marta Lemos (UCA Farnham)
Marta Lemos is also nominated for her film Dear England, which is about the hard life lived by immigrants across Europe in a post Brexit era, including Marta’s own personal experiences. Lesley explained: “Dear England is a breakup letter to the UK in response to Brexit. As a European student, she grew up admiring this country and was excited to study here, so she had a particular perspective and response to the debates.”
Dear England by Marta Lemos
Towels – by Prawta Annez & Camilla Kjaernet (Falmouth University)
Towels is a 2D experimental short student animation that explores the concept of territory and tells a cautionary (and timely) tale about the consequences of isolation.
The film is a team effort, with a mixture of 3rd years and 2nd years working together. The animation has already achieved acclaim with it being shortlisted and screened in numerous film festivals, including the Learning on Screen Awards and winning Best Animation at last year’s Royal Television Society (RTS) Devon and Cornwall Student Awards.
Towels by Prawta Annez & Camilla Kjaernet
Andy Joule, Head of Animation & Visual Effects, said: “We’re immensely proud that Towels has been nominated. It’s well-deserved and such a resounding confirmation of the quality of Prawta, Camilla and their talented team’s work. This was their debut animation and the film has already generated so much success. We wish them all the luck at the awards.”
Cats Can’t Swim – by HaiLing Morgan (Arts University Bournemouth)
“In an anthropomorphic world, a young cat boy wants to win his school swimming contest with the support of his mum.”
Cats Can’t Swim was made by a team of students from the Arts University of Bournemouth in one year. HaiLing Morgan explains: “I wrote it thinking it was important to encourage young people that its important to take pride in the hard work, even if it does not result in success in the end.”
Cats Can’t Swim by HaiLing Morgan
This year’s British Animation Awards take place on Thursday 12th March at BFI in London. Follow Skwigly for more news from the awards night.