Revving Up the Animation Scene: FLAMIN Animations 2024-2025 Program Shakes Things Up

– FLAMIN Animations, currently in its fourth year, is a commissioning programme dedicated to nurturing early-career Black artist animators in the UK.
– The programme was established in 2021 with the primary goal of aiding new artist animators in their pursuit of a career centered around the moving image.
– Apart from professional development support, the programme also provides funding to these emerging talents for the creation of a new short animated film.

Artist Animators, Assemble!

– FLAMIN Animations has announced the participants of the 2024-2025 lineup, further strengthening their commitment towards diversifying the animation scene.

A New Chapter of Animation

Now brace yourself for the “hot take”. Animation lovers, hold on to your pencils (or digital styluses)—FLAMIN Animations is turning up the heat in the animation kitchen! With the bedroom light of the United Kingdom’s animation scene flickering, FLAMIN’s program is the jolt of electricity we’ve been hoping for. It’s like a superhero series, but instead of capes, they wear creativity. This isn’t just a sassy strut on the red carpet of animation. No, this is the springboard that shoots deserving, emerging talents higher into the animation stratosphere. So, pencil this in your animation chronicles; it’s not just another program—it’s a game-changing initiative! Bring on the applause, the animated tales, and the boundless imagination. Bravo, FLAMIN, for making the animation world a more colourful, inclusive, and vibrant stage!

Welcome to the fourth edition of the remarkable FLAMIN Animations commissioning program. Exclusively curated for early-career Black artist animators in the UK, this initiative was first launched in 2021 with a mission to provide development support and funding for upcoming short animated films. This year we are thrilled to announce our partnership with the multi-award-winning studio, Blinkink, who will offer personalised assistance to the chosen participating animators.

From Left to right 1st row: Caroline James, Aliyah Harfoot; 2nd row: Jess Stephens, Faye Craig (Courtesy: Film London)

We are excited to reveal the FLAMIN Animators selected for 2024-25:

Faye Craig
Aliyah Harfoot
Caroline James
Jess Stephens

Managed by the Artists’ Moving Image Network at Film London, FLAMIN focuses on underrepresented Black artists in the fields of animation, art and film. FLAMIN Animations is an embodiment of Film London’s unwavering commitment to promoting diversity, equality and inclusion.

Our studio partner for this edition, Blinkink, is an eminent production house renowned for its innovative short-form video content crafted for industries such as advertising, music, gaming and fashion. They have collaborated with global brands like Nike, Amazon Music, Spotify, and have worked closely with esteemed artists like Dua Lipa and Drake. Along with the FLAMIN team, they will offer guidance to selected animators, equipping them with necessary skills for industry success.

FLAMIN Alumni have had impactful presences in festivals, including London International Animation Festival, B3 Biennial of the Moving Image, and the renowned Edinburgh International Film Festival. They have won accolades such as the esteemed Margaret Tait Commission, and their work has been showcased on public screens worldwide.

Reflecting on her experience, FLAMIN Animator 2023, Gisela Mulindwa shared:

Being a part of FLAMIN Animations opened a world of opportunities. It encouraged me to explore themes that were close to my heart, helped me refine my animation skills, and provided an incredible platform to share ideas and receive constructive feedback. It truly has been a truly transformative journey!

Each selected animator will be awarded £3,000 to create captivating 2-3 minute animations and gain industry insights through personalized workshops conducted by Film London’s FLAMIN Team and Blinkink.

Adrian Wootton OBE, CEO of Film London and the British Film Commission, commented:

We are absolutely delighted to unveil this year’s promising line-up for the FLAMIN Animations program. This initiative aims to nurture underrepresented talent, and with the support of Blinkink, these artists will be able to bring their creative visions to life, solidifying their standing in the animation industry.

Blinkink’s Executive Producer, Josef Byrne, added:

We are incredibly proud to be associated with FLAMIN Animations, a remarkable initiative by Film London that champions diversity within the animation industry. We eagerly look forward to the unveiling of this year’s work.

For more information regarding FLAMIN Animations, visit filmlondon.org.uk