Welcome to the British Animation Awards 2024
Hello everyone!
The BAAs team would like to offer sincere thanks to all who continue to support the BAAs; be that through the vital sponsorship or the invaluable advice and help received from so many people across the UK animation world.
Pre-selection and judging
How it works
The BAAs introduced two new categories this year. These include Best International Animated Series and Best Longform Animation.
Enormous thanks go to our pre-selectors; Harriet Titlow, Andy Wyatt, Jez Stewart, Tessa Moult-Milewska, Ben Mitchell and Laura-Beth Cowley. They dedicated many hours reducing multiple categories down to more manageable shortlists. For certain categories we were able to go straight to the juries. The juries for each category are credited online.
Over 60 animation professionals were appointed as judges to 20 category awards. They kindly dedicated a great deal of their time to watch the shortlists and gathered together online to deliberate and make their final decisions. The BAAs appreciate the support and professional diligence shown by all pre-selectors and jury members – thank you!
The BAA Audience Awards 2024
The BAAs teamed up with fifteen universities and screening partners to present twenty five short films in two ninety minute programmes. The films were carefully selected from the short film submissions. The audiences were invited to select their favourite films and could make one vote online. Over eight hundred votes were received and the film with the highest percentage of votes was the winner.
Children’s Choice
For 2024, the BAAs crew joined forces with the harshest of critics and super-enthusiasts at St Mary Redcliffe Primary School, Bristol. Headteacher Mr Neil Carpenter and the friendly staff, especially year 4, were incredibly welcoming and accommodating. We had a fun day watching the films with the children and recording their reactions. Filming was undertaken by Matt Whiteley and Jacob Smith (Portland Productions).
Music
A huge welcome back and thanks to Brolly who has created all the amazing musical pieces for the show including the ‘In Memoriam’ piece called ‘The Final Frame’. Look out for his guitar development journey!
The 2024 Prize Artist and Derek Hayes
Derek Hayes – a national animation treasure and lifelong supporter of British animation – is one of the most generous contributors to the BAA prize artworks over the years. It was fitting for the BAAs to commission Derek to be the featured prize artist for 2024. Derek has created a stunning limited edition lino-print for each of the winners. The artwork entitled “The Triumph of Animation” (based on Hans Holbein the Younger ‘Triumph of Wealth’, 1533) features well known British animation characters- new and old. Can you name them all?
Some final thanks..
Henning When
The German Comedy Ambassador, Henning Wehn, is about to embark on another UK Tour with his new show “Acid Wehn” – an unbiased look at climate change.
Recent television and radio appearances include “Have I Got News For You” BBC1, “Would I Lie To You” BBC1, “Live At The Apollo” BBC2, “Guessable” Comedy Central, “Question Time” BBC1, “8 Out Of Cats Does Countdown” Channel 4, “Fighting Talk” BBC Radio 5 Live, “I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue” and “The Unbelievable Truth” BBC Radio 4.
“Wehn has given us an understanding of German quirks” King Charles III
“Wunderbar” The Times
For live events enquiries
Ian Wilson : imwpuk@aol.com
For voiceover work:
Andy Webb and Odette Webb for providing all the support for the BAA website and all the various add-ons and updates this year.
Marco Frezza, an amazing designer who created the hero sheep image for us to use throughout the ceremony and online.
John Lynch who always provides welcome technical reassurance. His live show management and delivery from the projection booth is vital, professional and hugely supportive. Thanks also to Ryan Harper, our fabulous AV technician.
Chris James (Cj) for editing the In Memoriam film and other clips and providing the numerous variations.
Chris Wright for helping create the nominees and ceremony cards.
Harriet Titlow for all the wonderful, hard working support with the surprisingly large administration side of the BAAs and surviving with a smile and being a star.
Ellys Donovan for the incredible hard working and friendly support to all the team. You have been across so much of the work, especially the socials! You are a star and have played such a critical part in the whole operation.
Valerie Taylor and Beverley Wilkins for all the valuable PR and support.
We must give credit to all our volunteers – thanks very much for providing such great support.
We’d like to thank our families who, without their support, the BAAs would not come together.
And finally, massive thanks to each and every one of you involved in animation, no matter where you are in the world. It’s always a pleasure and a fascinating surprise to see your wealth of creativity and to bring so much of it together for one night.
The BAAs like to celebrate in style – please continue to create mischief and rock ‘n roll!
Helen Brunsdon – Director
Kieran Argo – Producer