Published: 08-02-2010

The next Nick Park could quietly be honing their skills at the South West's leading animation festival, Animated Exeter, taking place between 11 - 20 February 2010.

Foundation degree students from Plymouth College of Art have given their free time to help out at the Arts Council funded festival of animation, launching on the 11 February with Exeter Castle bathed in jaw dropping animation. For more details, please visit www.animatedexeter.co.uk

At nine days, Animated Exeter is the longest UK animation festival and includes a packed programme of over 140 animated films featuring work from the best in the business to groundbreaking new talent. Screenings, events and workshops will take place all over the city, appealing to animation lovers of all genres.

The Plymouth students will be able to observe techniques, styles and developments from the leading lights in international animation – whether it’s US animator Rose Bond whose work will light up Exeter Castle on the 11,12 and 13 February; watching the Brothers McLeod’s latest film, The Moon Bird or being involved in screen-talks from luminaries such as the talented independent animator, Bill Plympton.

With hands-on access to the nine days of ground-breaking animated films, workshops, master-classes and awards, the students will become the public face of the festival, helping with stewarding, workshops and loading film reels. Rosie Jones, festival co-ordinator is delighted to have them on board, saying, ‘It’s great having these Devon animation students involved, they already know so much about the world of animation which they can build on and share with members of the public coming to the festival – they make terrific guides.’

Animation Exeter started in 2000, initiated by Exeter City Council, and now attracts audiences of over 12,000. It has quickly established its reputation as one of the strongest specialist film education programmes in the UK. Visitors can take part in hands-on workshops or attend inspiring exhibitions covering a wide variety of animation styles. There’s a careers fair for securing jobs in the industry as well as master-classes from the Spielbergs of the animated world. The awards ceremony will showcase the very best emerging talent, with awards given during the festival (and after, in the case of the British Animation Awards).

This year Animated Exeter is not only branching out as a new independent company but also embarking on ambitious new commissions, thanks to Arts Council funding.

Chris Humphrey, Interim Executive Director, Arts Council England, South West says: 'We’re delighted to fund Animated Exeter, it opens up the world of top quality animation, making it accessible to all. We welcome these talented Devon students to take an active part in the festival and the programme of master-classes, exhibitions and workshops taking place – they will be able to build on their skills and offer the public a great insight from the knowledge they already have.’