ANIMATED EXETER LIGHTS UP CITY LANDMARK TO LAUNCH INTERNATIONAL ANIMATION FESTIVAL

Leading UK Animation Festival 11 Feb – 20 Feb

HISTORIC Exeter Castle will be lit up with jaw-dropping animation to celebrate the launch of this year’s Animated Exeter film festival (11th – 20th February). Funded by Arts Council England, South West, internationally acclaimed US artist Rose Bond has created a breath-taking piece that uses the Castle as the giant backdrop for a swipe at injustice, class and punishment. Entitled ‘Broadsided’, the premiere will be shown free continuously over 3 evenings (11/12/13 February), launching nine days of ground-breaking animated films, workshops, master-classes and awards.

Animated Exeter is the southwest’s leading independent animation film festival. At nine days, it is also the longest and includes a packed programme of over 140 animated films, featuring work from the best in the business to emerging talent. Screenings and events will take place all over the city, appealing to all ages.

The festival, which started in 2000, now attracts audiences of 12,000+ and 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, including Bill Plympton and Aardman Animations. 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 becomes an independent non-profit making company, thanks to Arts Council funding.  Spokesperson Gillian Taylor says: 'We are delighted to fund Animated Exeter which really opens up the world of top quality animation and makes it accessible to all. The programme of master-classes, exhibitions and schools workshops offers lots of opportunities for people to get more closely involved in animation. This year’s launch event Broadsided! is a challenging, dramatic piece which will be a real talking point in the city and a great kick-start to the festival.’

www.animatedexeter.co.uk