About

We supports artists to experiment, collaborate and produce bold animation projects. 

We are a catalyst for connection. We believe that artists’ animation empowers people to see their world differently.

The guiding principles that underpin our work are: curiosity, collaboration, support, quality and relevance.

Animate was established in 2007 and is based in Derby. We are an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation.

Our work

We run an annual programme that commissions early career animation artists to research and produce work in response to contemporary themes. PLANTING explored three Derby ‘gardens’; the Mortal films explore how death and dying can be rethought; and Roam is supporting artists to make work in response to the work of campaigning organisation Right to Roam.

Through 2025 we are touring the international programme All that is solid: the third Animate OPEN.

Accelerate Sessions is an ongoing series of online discussions about experimental animation practice curated by artists.

WORK Records is a Heritage Fund supported creative heritage project exploring historic working lives across the East Midlands.

Recent productions include:

The Debutante by Elizabeth Hobbs, which was Oscar shortlisted and won Grand Prize at Bucheon International Animation Festival, Korea, and the Animated Short Jury Award at South by South West. And Granny Would Dance by Maryam Mohajer, which won Best of Festival and Best Animation awards at Aesthetica Short Film Festival, Best British Short Animation at Manchester Animation Festival 2024, and Best British Film at London International Animation Festival. Both films were supported by the BFI Short Form Animation Fund.

Kris Hofmann’s VR experience Out of Nowhere premiered at Venice Immersive as part of the Venice International Film Festival 2025.

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