Free

Animation 2018

13 new short films from new and emerging animators, commissioned through a prestigious initiative by the BFI, BBC Four, and BBC Arts.

As part of BFI's yearlong celebration of British animation, BFI and BBC set out to find the most exciting and original filmmakers working in animation, from across the UK. 

The 13 commissioned films encompass a number of different approaches, using styles and techniques ranging from hand-drawn images to live-action puppetry, stop motion, CG, 2D and 3D, and covering a diverse range of genres from science-fiction to documentary; celebrating the medium of animation in all its breadth.

Development and delivery of the animations were managed by independent production company Wingspan Productions which previously produced the successful BFI/BBC collaboration Listen to Britain in 2017.

The films are grouped below under four curated themes, reflecting the presentation from their BBC Four broadcast on 2 December 2018.

 

Read more Close

ANIMALS

Watch for free

Outside the BoxOutside the Box

Animation & Artists Moving Image20184 mins

A bird desperately wants to escape his lonely work in order to find the one he loves again.

Watch for free

The Penguin Who Couldn't SwimThe Penguin Who Couldn't Swim

Animation & Artists Moving Image20186 mins

A disabled penguin feels isolated from the rest of her colony.

Watch for free

QuarantineQuarantine

Animation & Artists Moving Image201813 mins

A post-Brexit pagan dance fantasy about a troupe of Morris-dancing badgers forced to confront the animals quarantined in a facility built above their burrow.

OTHER WORLDS

Watch for free

Childhood MemoriesChildhood Memories

Animation & Artists Moving Image20184 mins

A multilayered autobiographical animation exploring personal memory.

Watch for free

MeteorlightMeteorlight

Animation & Artists Moving Image201810 mins

Sci-fi animation set in an alien world. When a child discovers a dark secret at their father's factory, they must choose between what is right and what is easy.

Watch for free

UkiUki

Animation & Artists Moving Image20186 mins

A short stop-frame animation following a lonely Inuit who struggles to survive after an oil tanker leaks oil off the coast of Alaska, killing all the wildlife in the area.

OBSESSION

Watch for free

Frank's JokeFrank's Joke

Animation & Artists Moving Image20186 mins

A comedic look at how our brains can keep us awake at night and the mercurial nature of memory.

Watch for free

The Three Crow BoysThe Three Crow Boys

Animation & Artists Moving Image201810 mins

Animation narrated by Tim McInnerny, set in London in the wake of a terrible war. A lonely old blind man receives three unexpected visitors, and tragedy follows.

Watch for free

\\_sleeper\\_sleeper

Animation & Artists Moving Image20187 mins

The story of Frank, a recluse who wakes each day to a strange anomaly.

LOVE

Watch for free

Slug LifeSlug Life

Animation & Artists Moving Image20187 mins

A curious woman creates her own perfect partner, a beautiful, talking giant slug.

Watch for free

HairHair

Animation & Artists Moving Image201810 mins

Mary and Archie are obsessive shavers. Archie hates hair, and Mary loves Archie. But when Mary wonders what might happen if she let it grow, it threatens their relationship.

Watch for free

O, Hunter HeartO, Hunter Heart

Animation & Artists Moving Image20187 mins

Nature and domesticity collide in this dark love story featuring stop-motion puppets.

Watch for free

Ladder to YouLadder to You

Animation & Artists Moving Image20184 mins

Eric misses his Elsie, but in his darkest moment she shows him that true love never dies.

Animated Britain

Animation 2018 is part of our Animated Britain collection.

Listen to Britain 2017

BFI and BBC's previous initiative produced 12 films inspired by Humphrey Jennings and Stewart McAllister's classic documentary.