2024 in review: Animation Skills Fund highlights

For the Animation Skills Fund 2024 was an encouraging year of growth and development. Contributions from productions and companies reached over £200,000 with strong leads already in place for more to follow in the new year. The Fund created the Animation Advisor Group, including members from both Animation UK and the British Film Institute (BFI), and increased the diversity of the Animation Skills Fund to better the reflect the industry it supports.

A widened range of activity was provided for productions and houses including bespoke company training while those at different stages of their animation careers had the opportunity to join the Trainee Finder and Make a Move programmes.

There was further support for new entrants as the Fund worked with the Children’s TV Skills Fund to become part of the Dream Big! programme, an entry-level initiative that helps provide vital early experience through paid placements and tailored training. As part of the programme, the Fund was able to bring in Aardman Animation as  a partnering contributor for the first time.

More significant strides in training were made through the delivery of key courses.

Creative Animation was a comprehensive four-session course delivered by Indielab aimed at mid-to-senior level professionals. They explored some of the principle roles of animation including production, direction, production management and leadership and heled sessions, featuring some of the leading figures in animation offering valuable insights into the details and practical steps involved in their roles. Each session was designed to provide practical, actionable knowledge, with participants widely praising the programme’s relevance to contemporary practices.

In addition to Creative Animation there was a specialised three-day animation layout course delivered by Lupus Films and led by Robin Shaw  (Mog's Christmas, The Tiger Who Came to Tea, We're Going on a Bear Hunt). This successful course was delivered directly in response to a call out from the industry for more layout artists, re-affirming the Fund’s ability to work with industry to shape necessary training.

Professional Placement Programmes

2024 marked a significant milestone in ScreenSkills' training efforts, with notable achievements in professional placements:

• The Animation Trainee Finder programme successfully secured multiple first-time placements for emerging talents.
• The DreamBig! Scheme, in partnership with the Children's TV Skills Fund and supported by Adobe Foundation funding, established six paid placements in animation companies—a first for the initiative.

Future Outlook

Looking ahead to 2025, ScreenSkills aims to expand its training and skills development opportunities. The organisation is committed to:

• Extending training programs to additional animation production companies
• Engaging more commissioning organizations
• Exploring potential collaborations with UK feature film productions
• Offering greater access to 'direct to company' training

These ongoing efforts demonstrate the Fund's dedication to identifying industry skills/training needs and nurturing talent and supporting professional growth in the animation industry.