LIAF presents the 2024 UK Animation Industry Event – 8 panels giving insider access to some of the hottest topics of the year. We’ve gathered together some of the most passionate, honest and insightful experts from a wide range of different areas and backgrounds who are ready to cover all manner of vital topics to give you much food for thought.
Animation doesn’t stand still; and debates and discussions with animators and creative experts are the best way to get in touch with what’s happening. The panels will be chaired by Saint John Walker, Postgraduate Media Programme Leader, University of Hertfordshire and Julian Scott, animation consultant at Film London.
For anyone currently working in the film and animation industry, thinking of working in the industry or just plain curious, these 8 events are indispensable. They are free to everyone and take place live and online on our streaming platform over the 2 days of Saturday November 30 and Sunday December 1.
Talks with the UK Animation Companies conquering the world: Blue Zoo
Come and hear about the UK’s best animation companies, what they do and how they consistently create such great work.
Blue Zoo Animation Studio is a trailblazing UK-based production company that has been making waves in the UK animation scene since 2000. With an impressive array of BAFTA and Emmy accolades for clients including the BBC, Netflix and StudioCanal, they have helped create shows including Numberblocks, The Adventures of Paddington and Christmas specials including The Smeds and The Smoos. This B Corp-certified studio is more than just an animation studio; it’s an IP powerhouse, growing loyal fanbases across YouTube, mobile gaming, and beyond. At its core, Blue Zoo is driven by a simple yet profound mission: to build an animation studio with heart, where diverse, happy teams are nurtured to craft characterful content that radiates joy, comedy, and educational value, contributing to a more enjoyable future for everyone.
Curated and Chaired by Saint John Walker, Postgraduate Media Programme Leader, University of Hertfordshire.
Panellists
Chair: Saint John Walker, Postgraduate Media Programme Leader, University of Hertfordshire
Saint John Walker is the Programme Leader for postgraduate media at the UK’s University of Hertfordshire and a leading VFX educationalist with over 25 years of experience of teaching and training in the games, animation and VFX industries. Most recently Saint was Dean and Director of Industry Engagement at the UK’s Escape Studios and previous to that he designed, initiated and ran the VFX degree course at Norwich University of the Arts for four years. Saint is an active member of Access:VFX. Saint is also the convenor, designer and chair of the popular Industry panels at the London International Animation Festival each year. In 2024 he has chaired and taken part in panel discussions at the View conference in Turin, the Viborg Animation Festival and FMX, Stuttgart.
Tom Box, Co-founder and Joint Managing Director
Tom Box is the co-Founder and joint managing director of Blue Zoo Animation as well as the Chair of Animation Skills Council, NextGen Skills Academy, Manchester Animation Festival & Executive Director of ACCESS:VFX. Tom oversees many aspects of Blue Zoo including strategy, culture, technology and skills outreach. Tom recently oversaw the studio becoming the first large animation studio in the world to attain B Corporation status, ensuring the studio has a positive impact on the world.
Oli Hyatt MBE, Co-founder
Oli Hyatt is the co-founder of Blue Zoo Animation as well as an animator, author, entrepreneur, lobbyist, hockey coach and proud dyslexic. He set up and chaired Animation UK, a lobby group promoting the needs of the Animation industry, a voluntary role that eventually led to him receiving a MBE, and turned around the fortunes of the industry, by lobbying successfully for the Tax Credit. Oli is a passionate believer that his dyslexia is instrumental in the way he sees the world and expresses himself.
Adam Shaw, Co-founder
Adam is the co-founder and creative force behind Blue Zoo’s longform production. An award-winning director with over 24 years of experience, his comprehensive knowledge of animation combined with excellent team motivational skills was recognised in 2009 by BAFTA when he was awarded a special award, ‘Breakthrough Talent’ for directing.
LIAF presents the 2024 UK Animation Industry Event – 8 panels giving insider access to some of the hottest topics of the year. We’ve gathered together some of the most passionate, honest and insightful experts from a wide range of different areas and backgrounds who are ready to cover all manner of vital topics to give you much food for thought.
Animation doesn’t stand still; and debates and discussions with animators and creative experts are the best way to get in touch with what’s happening. The panels will be chaired by Saint John Walker, Postgraduate Media Programme Leader, University of Hertfordshire and Julian Scott, animation consultant at Film London.
For anyone currently working in the film and animation industry, thinking of working in the industry or just plain curious, these 8 events are indispensable. They are free to everyone and take place live and online on our streaming platform over the 2 days of Saturday November 30 and Sunday December 1.
Talks with the UK Animation Companies conquering the world: Blue Zoo
Come and hear about the UK’s best animation companies, what they do and how they consistently create such great work.
Blue Zoo Animation Studio is a trailblazing UK-based production company that has been making waves in the UK animation scene since 2000. With an impressive array of BAFTA and Emmy accolades for clients including the BBC, Netflix and StudioCanal, they have helped create shows including Numberblocks, The Adventures of Paddington and Christmas specials including The Smeds and The Smoos. This B Corp-certified studio is more than just an animation studio; it’s an IP powerhouse, growing loyal fanbases across YouTube, mobile gaming, and beyond. At its core, Blue Zoo is driven by a simple yet profound mission: to build an animation studio with heart, where diverse, happy teams are nurtured to craft characterful content that radiates joy, comedy, and educational value, contributing to a more enjoyable future for everyone.
Curated and Chaired by Saint John Walker, Postgraduate Media Programme Leader, University of Hertfordshire.
Panellists
Chair: Saint John Walker, Postgraduate Media Programme Leader, University of Hertfordshire
Saint John Walker is the Programme Leader for postgraduate media at the UK’s University of Hertfordshire and a leading VFX educationalist with over 25 years of experience of teaching and training in the games, animation and VFX industries. Most recently Saint was Dean and Director of Industry Engagement at the UK’s Escape Studios and previous to that he designed, initiated and ran the VFX degree course at Norwich University of the Arts for four years. Saint is an active member of Access:VFX. Saint is also the convenor, designer and chair of the popular Industry panels at the London International Animation Festival each year. In 2024 he has chaired and taken part in panel discussions at the View conference in Turin, the Viborg Animation Festival and FMX, Stuttgart.
Tom Box, Co-founder and Joint Managing Director
Tom Box is the co-Founder and joint managing director of Blue Zoo Animation as well as the Chair of Animation Skills Council, NextGen Skills Academy, Manchester Animation Festival & Executive Director of ACCESS:VFX. Tom oversees many aspects of Blue Zoo including strategy, culture, technology and skills outreach. Tom recently oversaw the studio becoming the first large animation studio in the world to attain B Corporation status, ensuring the studio has a positive impact on the world.
Oli Hyatt MBE, Co-founder
Oli Hyatt is the co-founder of Blue Zoo Animation as well as an animator, author, entrepreneur, lobbyist, hockey coach and proud dyslexic. He set up and chaired Animation UK, a lobby group promoting the needs of the Animation industry, a voluntary role that eventually led to him receiving a MBE, and turned around the fortunes of the industry, by lobbying successfully for the Tax Credit. Oli is a passionate believer that his dyslexia is instrumental in the way he sees the world and expresses himself.
Adam Shaw, Co-founder
Adam is the co-founder and creative force behind Blue Zoo’s longform production. An award-winning director with over 24 years of experience, his comprehensive knowledge of animation combined with excellent team motivational skills was recognised in 2009 by BAFTA when he was awarded a special award, ‘Breakthrough Talent’ for directing.