Animation

The key purpose of the Animation Skills Fund, formerly known as the animation levy, is to support the development of animation freelancers and talent at all levels - bringing new entrants into the industry and advancing career development. Productions that pay in gain access to funding for training and career development programmes.

The fund was created in 2013 following the introduction of UK tax relief for the animation sector. It was agreed that any production utilising the tax credit would contribute to a fund managed by ScreenSkills.

How the Animation Skills Fund works

Productions pay 0.5% of their production budget spent in the UK into the fund. Contributions are capped at £41,800 per production (the cap increases each year in line with RPI). To maximise the opportunities they could benefit from, animation productions should contact ScreenSkills as soon as possible about contributing to the fund. Your commitment to the levy does not have to coincide with your application for tax credit.

Since 2013 the fund has raised more than £380,000, which has been invested in training and career development for the UK animation industry. Decisions about how the funds are spent are made by the Animation Skills Council which is made up of industry leaders in the sector and includes representatives from the Animation UK skills group, who are key stakeholders.

What the Animation Skills Fund supports

Animation productions that pay into the fund are able to access up to £10,000 to support the skills development training of those working on active productions or for the development of their staff or business.

Training can be at any level, from trainee to heads of department, and could include:

• new entrant training and mentoring
• shadowing, mentoring or ‘stepping up’ programmes
• professional development of employees and freelancers
• external training programmes

For more information about the Animation Skills Fund or to apply for funding please email: info@screenskills.com.