Published 15th April 2025

Aardman partners with BAFTA to support animation stars of the future

Aardman and BAFTA® have announced a yearlong partnership with the charity’s youth strand Young BAFTA®.

As Aardman approaches its 50th anniversary, the joint initiative will see the studio become an official partner of the Young BAFTA programme to support the next generation of creative talent through a roster of year-round learning programmes. The partnership will provide valuable opportunities for young talent, including direct engagement with Aardman’s creative team, and provide a platform for young people to explore creative careers, ensuring that the next generation of animators are equipped with the skills, inspiration, and confidence to succeed.

The renowned British animation studio also continues to support the next generation of animation talent through the Aardman Academy and its unique workshops programme and outreach initiatives, which aligns with Young BAFTA's commitment to nurture young people's creativity, and mission to promote socio-economic diversity in the screen arts sector.

Aardman Executive Commercial & Brand Director and BAFTA® member, Emma Hardie commented: "Aardman has always been passionate about nurturing creativity, a commitment rooted in our origins as a studio founded by two recent graduates, Peter Lord and David Sproxton. As we approach our 50th anniversary, we are very proud to partner with Young BAFTA and provide young people with exciting and meaningful opportunities to engage with our creative team and develop the skills and confidence they need to succeed in the animation industry."

Lisa Prime, Head of Children and Young People's Programme at BAFTA, said: "At Young BAFTA, we are committed to empowering the next generation to explore careers within the screen industries, so we are thrilled to partner with the award-winning animation studio, Aardman. This collaboration will offer incredible opportunities for aspiring animators, and with our missions so closely aligned, help us develop the creative talent of the future."