Students and schoolchildren in Preston were inspired to pursue prosperous careers in the UK animation industry after meeting Wallace and Gromit creator Nick Park CBE at the Preston Animation Festival held at the University of Lancashire.
Nick, who is a four-time Academy Award winner, toured the University’s Animation Studio, its Stop Motion Suite and watched on as Year 9 and 10 pupils from Penwortham Priory Academy took part in animation workshops in the University’s Young Creative Centre. Eagled-eyed students noticed he was carrying a protective case which they correctly guessed contained models of some much-loved characters.
His visit to the University was the main event of the Preston Animation Festival and was organised by Mario Kkounnous who is the Course Leader for BA (Hons) Animation at the University of Lancashire.
Nick Park CBE said:
“Attending the festival was a joy. Watching young people experiment, collaborate and tell original stories reminded me how vibrant the future of animation is.
“With accessible technology, strong academic courses and growing industry demand, there are more routes into a career in animation now than when I started and that gives me great hope for the next generation.”
Also presenting at the event were Barry Purves, who is an Honorary Fellow of the University, as well as alumni Frances Humphries, Bee Joy, Jodie Walker, and Liam Springthorpe.
Barry Purves is another big name in the world of animation. He has been involved with many well-known and beloved films and series for television as animator or director. These include: The Wind in the Willows, Rupert Bear, Postman Pat and Bob the Builder. He directed 52 episodes of the children’s series Toby’s Travelling Circus, screened on Channel Five and was supervising director on 100 episodes of ‘Twirlywoos’ for the BBC.
The UK animation industry is the second largest in the world, renowned globally for its distinct storytelling, stop-motion innovation, and character development. The sector supports thousands of exciting jobs and Mario is keen to inspire the next generation of animators to consider choosing Preston as the city for developing creative skills such as sculpting and 3D digital modelling.
Mario said:
“Wallace and Gromit are world-renowned, and it is wonderful that Preston has such a close connection to their creator, Nick Park. It was a pleasure to meet Nick, hear his story, and see the original models of Wallace, Gromit and Feathers McGraw. I hope the experience inspired the audience to keep telling stories, develop their creative talents, and pursue their ambitions as artists.”
Animation UK says digital animation is a key part of the UK Technology Strategy Board’s Creative Industries Strategy. The industry produces animated content for television, feature films, commercials, websites, games and virtual and mixed and augmented reality.
The festival was rounded off by a screening of Wallace and Gromit movie Curse of the Were-Rabbit introduced by Nick Park CBE himself and there was an audience question and answer session prior.
Joanna Brown, Young Creative Centre Programme Manager at the University of Lancashire, said:
“Nick is from this city and has reached the peak of the industry. His message to the students was that following a similar career path was very much in their reach.”
The Preston Animation Film Festival is a celebratory event that highlights the achievements and success stories of graduates, showcases the art of animation, and brings industry professionals together to share their experiences and insights. Its purpose is to inspire, encourage, and support artists of all ages in telling stories through creative practice.
Louise Shaw, Lead teacher of Art, Craft and Design at Penwortham Priory Academy, said:
“Pupils showcased exceptional creativity during an animation workshop at the University of Lancashire, producing imaginative and engaging short films. “A highlight of the day was meeting acclaimed animator Nick Park, who brought along the original Wallace and Gromit figures. He took time to speak with students about their work, offering encouragement and insight. The experience was truly inspiring and left a lasting impression on all involved.”
