Two animation events across the UK were highlighted today, in The Guardian newspaper’s listings supplement, The Guide:

The British Animation Awards: “When you consider that past contributors have included Nick Park, Steve Bell and Tim Burton, you get a good idea of the quality expected in this competition. Plus you – yes, you – get to take part in the voting, a process made both easy and entertaining. All you have to do is attend three programmes (check the website for venues) that each deliver a mix of commercials, music videos and short films (like Gaelle Denis’ Fish Never Sleep). Then vote in each category. The winners will be announced at a London award ceremony in March, which will be attended by the cream of British animators – who probably don’t get out that much”. Various venues, Sunday 8th to 26th February.

Animated Exeter: “A festival showing 130 films is no big deal but one showing 130 films all made one frame at a time still is. Animation is now correctly considered a medium rather than a genre, and the variety of techniques is matched by a broad mixture of styles and themes. Here you get everything from big hits such as Spirited Away and Finding Nemo, back to the early computer experiments of Lillian Schwartz and the twisted folk tales of Jiri Trnka. Aardman Animation are typically well represented and there are also workshops and an exhibiton of puppets and artwork from [British television] teatime classics like The Clangers, Mr Benn and Ivor The Engine“. Exeter, Monday 9th to 21st February.