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Communication plays an important role in animation, and this session explores how artists with diverse experiences in hearing, speech, or sight contribute their talents to the industry. Hear from creative professionals who share their journeys, insights, and advice.
LIAF presents the 2025 UK Animation Industry Event – 5 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, Julian Scott, animation consultant at Film London and Babak Jani, Head of Skills at Film London.
For anyone currently working in the film and animation industry, thinking of working in the industry or just plain curious, these 5 talks are indispensable. They are free to everyone and take place live and online on our streaming platform over the 2 days of Saturday December 6 and Sunday December 7.
Panellists
Moderator: Julian Scott
Julian Scott is a BAFTA-nominated Executive Producer. He has been developing, financing and co-producing feature films and television in the international arena for over 25 years. As animation consultant for Film London, his focus is on generating inward investment for London’s animation studios, by finding partners outside the UK seeking creative and financial soulmates and advising on the UK animation tax credits. Other areas of his work include tackling skills and creative gaps in the animation industry and lobbying to get proper recognition for animation in the UK creative sector and advising studios on business and creative development.
Rebecca Atkinson
Rebecca is partially deaf, has worn hearing aids since the age of three, and became progressively partially sighted as an adult. She is a leading specialist in the representation of children with disabilities in the children’s industry. She has over 27 years’ experience across TV production, online and print journalism, including BBC, Film 4, The Guardian, Vogue and Marie Claire. Rebecca is the founder and co-director of the viral Toy Like Me non-profit arts organisation, calling on global children’s industries to better represent 150 million disabled children worldwide. She is the writer, creator and EP of Mixmups, a 52-part animation for Milkshake! on C5.
Paul Miller
Paul Miller is the founder and director of Rory’s Studio, an award-winning arts organisation working across illustration, animation and live theatre. As a Deaf British Sign Language user, his work centres on celebrating and increasing visibility of Deaf culture within mainstream spaces. Based in Newcastle, Paul has worked widely as an ambassador for Deaf Awareness, including producing a Paralympics-commissioned short film and creating an inclusive children’s storytelling YouTube channel supported by ACE and the National Lottery. Paul wrote and directed The Gingerbread Witch, now an award-winning animated short film and touring theatre production. His work continues to champion collaboration, accessibility and joy.
Shabaaz Khan
Shabaaz is a creative and dedicated animator with a strong background in 2D animation. Unlike many in the field, he is partially sighted, having lost seventy percent of his vision due to a tumour behind the eyes. Despite this challenge, Shabaaz never allowed it to stand in the way of his ambitions. Through hard work and passion, Shabaaz graduated in animation and earned several student awards in recognition of his creativity and talent. Along the way, he built lasting friendships and continuously proved doubters wrong. While many believe that art is purely a visual pursuit, for Shabaaz, it has always come from the heart.
Jonathan Mortimer
Jon is an artist, animation educator, and researcher with over 15 years of experience in higher education and the creative industries. Having grown up in a hard-of-hearing household, Jon brings a personal understanding of accessibility and inclusion to his work. His short film ‘New Signs for Animation’ explores new ways of engaging with various audiences by working with Deaf actors, creating a more authentic and emotionally resonant experience. Jon has collaborated with international partners including Axis Studios, Disney, and AnimDojo, and began his career as a storyboard artist for Hasbro, Marvel, Disney, and the Roald Dahl estate. He is deeply committed to mentoring emerging animators and promoting inclusive creative practice.
Communication plays an important role in animation, and this session explores how artists with diverse experiences in hearing, speech, or sight contribute their talents to the industry. Hear from creative professionals who share their journeys, insights, and advice.
LIAF presents the 2025 UK Animation Industry Event – 5 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, Julian Scott, animation consultant at Film London and Babak Jani, Head of Skills at Film London.
For anyone currently working in the film and animation industry, thinking of working in the industry or just plain curious, these 5 talks are indispensable. They are free to everyone and take place live and online on our streaming platform over the 2 days of Saturday December 6 and Sunday December 7.
Panellists
Moderator: Julian Scott
Julian Scott is a BAFTA-nominated Executive Producer. He has been developing, financing and co-producing feature films and television in the international arena for over 25 years. As animation consultant for Film London, his focus is on generating inward investment for London’s animation studios, by finding partners outside the UK seeking creative and financial soulmates and advising on the UK animation tax credits. Other areas of his work include tackling skills and creative gaps in the animation industry and lobbying to get proper recognition for animation in the UK creative sector and advising studios on business and creative development.
Rebecca Atkinson
Rebecca is partially deaf, has worn hearing aids since the age of three, and became progressively partially sighted as an adult. She is a leading specialist in the representation of children with disabilities in the children’s industry. She has over 27 years’ experience across TV production, online and print journalism, including BBC, Film 4, The Guardian, Vogue and Marie Claire. Rebecca is the founder and co-director of the viral Toy Like Me non-profit arts organisation, calling on global children’s industries to better represent 150 million disabled children worldwide. She is the writer, creator and EP of Mixmups, a 52-part animation for Milkshake! on C5.
Paul Miller
Paul Miller is the founder and director of Rory’s Studio, an award-winning arts organisation working across illustration, animation and live theatre. As a Deaf British Sign Language user, his work centres on celebrating and increasing visibility of Deaf culture within mainstream spaces. Based in Newcastle, Paul has worked widely as an ambassador for Deaf Awareness, including producing a Paralympics-commissioned short film and creating an inclusive children’s storytelling YouTube channel supported by ACE and the National Lottery. Paul wrote and directed The Gingerbread Witch, now an award-winning animated short film and touring theatre production. His work continues to champion collaboration, accessibility and joy.
Shabaaz Khan
Shabaaz is a creative and dedicated animator with a strong background in 2D animation. Unlike many in the field, he is partially sighted, having lost seventy percent of his vision due to a tumour behind the eyes. Despite this challenge, Shabaaz never allowed it to stand in the way of his ambitions. Through hard work and passion, Shabaaz graduated in animation and earned several student awards in recognition of his creativity and talent. Along the way, he built lasting friendships and continuously proved doubters wrong. While many believe that art is purely a visual pursuit, for Shabaaz, it has always come from the heart.
Jonathan Mortimer
Jon is an artist, animation educator, and researcher with over 15 years of experience in higher education and the creative industries. Having grown up in a hard-of-hearing household, Jon brings a personal understanding of accessibility and inclusion to his work. His short film ‘New Signs for Animation’ explores new ways of engaging with various audiences by working with Deaf actors, creating a more authentic and emotionally resonant experience. Jon has collaborated with international partners including Axis Studios, Disney, and AnimDojo, and began his career as a storyboard artist for Hasbro, Marvel, Disney, and the Roald Dahl estate. He is deeply committed to mentoring emerging animators and promoting inclusive creative practice.