Graduates showcase films
at Manchester Animation Festival

11 Nov 2019

Two BA (Hons) Animation graduates are having their films screened at the Manchester Animation Festival this week.

Taylor Freshwater and Megan Earls are having their work showcased at the UK’s largest animation festival, now in its fifth year and taking place at HOME, a newly opened cross-arts venue in Manchester.

Taylor’s animation is called ‘Crossover’ and is the story of a young basketball enthusiast who finds a retro basketball in his local park, which takes him to the golden age of streetball. He contrasts the nostalgia and vibrant energy of times past with the more sober and lifeless present day.

'Crossover' animation still, by Taylor Freshwater

“I am a big fan of old school Hip-Hop and basketball,” said Taylor. “When I was younger the basketball court would always be packed, but now the park is always empty. So, I’ve combined these two themes and brought basketball back to its origin through animation.”

‘Crossover’ has also just been selected to be screened at The New York International Children's Film Festival (NYICFF) next March, an Oscar-qualifying event and North America’s largest film festival for kids and teens.

Megan’s animation is called ‘Borderline’. Set in Belfast and Liverpool, the film raises awareness about the issue of illegal abortion in Northern Ireland.

Her poignantly animated short highlights how everyday people were forced to travel to England to get access to safe abortion, and the need for change. Thankfully, as of 22 October 2019, abortion was finally decriminalised in Northern Ireland. 

A number of competitions will run throughout the festival, from short films and student films to commissioned films and immersive films. As well as this, the festival will present animated feature films, retrospectives, masterclasses, workshops, screen talks and Q&As with national and international directors as well as panel discussions giving a broad and dedicated insight into the animation industry.

Manchester Animation Festival is on now until 14 November 2019 at HOME, Manchester.

To learn more about studying Animation at UCA visit the course pages.