On Thursday, 25 April, UK Screen Alliance and Animation UK held an awards ceremony at the UK Screen Alliance 20th anniversary gala dinner, at Stationers’ Hall in London. As 2024 marks 20 years since the Alliance was established, the evening honored the special anniversary and highlighted the outstanding achievements made in the industry over the recent years with an awards ceremony. The event also celebrated their more recent partnership with Animation UK and their collective achievements.
“The gala dinner is an important opportunity to mark the significant strides made within animation sector, by the sector, showcasing the unwavering dedication of Animation UK activists and supporters,” commented Kate O’Connor, Executive Chair of Animation UK.
The Outstanding Contribution awards highlighted individuals who have gone above and beyond in their sectors across five categories: Outstanding Contribution to Visual Effects, Outstanding Contribution to Animation, Outstanding Contribution to Post-Production, Outstanding Contribution to Skills Development and Outstanding Contribution to Diversity and Inclusion. These awards — sponsored by Tysers Live, Simons Muirhead Burton, LucidLink and Percy & Warren — were presented to the winners by host Zoe Lyons.
Outstanding Contribution to Visual Effects, sponsored by Tysers Live, was award to Sara Bennett from Milk VFX w. The nominators noted Bennett’s exceptional ability to seamlessly blend artistry and technology, to create awe-inspiring visual effects that enhance the storytelling process, and that as an Academy Award winner, Sara has been a huge champion for diversity in her company, as well as, an inspiration to the wider VFX community.
The award was presented by Paul Hillier, Director of Media, Film and TV at Tysers Live. The shortlisted nominees were Hayden Jones (Industrial Light & Magic), Jean-Claude Deguara (Milk VFX) and Jeremy Smith (Jellyfish Pictures).
Outstanding Contribution to Animation, sponsored by Percy & Warren, went to Oli Hyatt from Blue Zoo. The category was closely fought and showcased the exceptional depth of talent in the U.K.’s animation community. The nominators remarked that Hyatt’s bold and innovative voice has been an influential and disruptive force for good in animation and children’s education, not just in the U.K., but across the world.
The award was presented by Tessa Laws, CEO of Percy & Warren. The shortlisted nominees were Kris Kelly (Enter Yes), Martin Pope and Michael Rose (Magic Light Pictures) and Ruth Fielding & Camilla Deakin (Lupus Films).
“Oli Hyatt’s unflagging determination and bold vision, and as Founder of Animation UK, earning him the Outstanding Contribution to Animation award, epitomizes the spirit driving our industry forward, alongside the strong field of all the outstanding winners and nominees,” added O’Connor.
Outstanding Contribution to Post-Production, sponsored by Tysers Live, was awarded to Natascha Cadle and Dave Cadle from ENVY Post Production. The award was presented by John Claffey, Managing Director of Tysers Live.
This category was unique, as Natascha and Dave were unanimously nominated, further demonstrating their dedication and remarkable contribution to the sector. The nominators praised the duo for the way they continuously inspired the post landscape, through their high levels of customer service and devotion to the development of diverse talent through their own internal academy, which has launched the careers of hundreds of young people.
Outstanding Contribution to Skills Development, sponsored by LucidLink, went to Amy Smith from Framestore. The nominators highlighted Smith’s commitment as a leader in shaping the skills landscape and commended her for being a true ambassador for the sector in terms of outreach, to ensure that anyone, whatever their circumstances or background, could have an opportunity to enter, train and progress to a rewarding career.
The award was presented by Rupert Watson, Senior Director Sales for EMEA at LucidLink. The shortlisted nominees were Phil Attfield (NextGen Skills Academy), Rowan Bray (Clear Cut Group) and Tom Box (Blue Zoo).
Outstanding Contribution to Diversity and Inclusion, sponsored by Simons Muirhead Burton, was won by Phil Attfield from NextGen Skills Academy. This category was also closely fought, and the nominators praised how Attfield has tirelessly worked towards implementing new pathways into the creative industries, to promote diversity and inclusion by breaking down the barriers that hinder disadvantaged groups.
The award was presented by Nick Miller, Co-Head of Film and TV at Simons Muirhead Burton. The shortlisted nominees were Alixe Lobato (Flying Duck Studio Lab), Louise Hussey (Industrial Light & Magic), and Simon Devereux (Framestore and ACCESS:VFX).
“The breadth of outstanding talent shown by the winners and nominees honored tonight is truly breathtaking,” said Neil Hatton, CEO of UK Screen Alliance. “Their contribution to our industry really shows that the U.K. is second to none when it comes to people with exceptional skill and commitment. It augers well for the future.”
O’Connor concluded, “The evening is an opportunity reaffirm our commitment to fostering an environment of creativity, inclusivity and progress within our brilliant sector with Animation UK, working within the UK Screen Alliance to propel animation to new heights of creativity, inclusivity and business success.”
