Fantasy becomes reality at Teesside’s Animation 2001

Leading figures from the world of animation will head towards the University of Teesside next week for Animation 2001, a unique and innovative two-day event which will celebrate the history and diversity of animation.

Animation 2001 will be held on Thursday 1 and Friday 2 February. Guest speakers will include Ray Harryhausen, special affects pioneer whose credits include Jason and the Argonauts and Clash of the Titans, and Bob Godfrey of Roobarb and Henry’s Cat fame.

Chris Williams, Computer Animation lecturer in the highly rated School of Computing and Mathematics said: “In just one year the animation industry has seen this event grow from humble beginnings to something that promises to be one of the biggest festivals of animation ever held in the UK. Here at the University of Teesside, we decided that there weren’t enough opportunities for animators, at any level, to get together and listen to some of the greats talk about their work.”

Guest speakers will also be attending from Aardman Animation, famed for Chicken Run and Wallace and Gromit; Framestore, creators of Walking With Dinasaurs; The Mill, animators of the blockbuster Gladiator; Rushes; Oscar-nominees Dudok De Wit Animation; and Cosgrove Hall Films who are behind the new Bill and Ben film.

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