First Animation

From the collection of

North West Film Archive at Manchester Metropolitan University

Established in 1977, the North West Film Archive preserves moving images made in or about the North West of England for the education and enjoyment of the region’s people. Part of Manchester Metropolitan University Library’s Cultural Collections, and based within Manchester Central Library’s Archives+ partnership, we are a specialist resource dedicated to saving and growing our region’s rich filmed history.

First Animation

North West Film Archive at Manchester Metropolitan University
Chorlton-cum-Hardy
1980-01-01
Silent
3m

Sinister, comic, surreal, or perhaps a mixture of all three? An assortment of animated sequences exploring stop-motion makes up this early film by talented and humorous animator Paul Berry (1961-2001). After studying at Wolverhampton Polytechnic, Berry joined the Cosgrove Hall animation studio in Manchester. In 1991 he was Oscar nominated for his short horror film 'The Sandman'.

DIY Animation

Amateur animation auteurs bring their homegrown creations to life

The requirements for making an animated film are pretty low. With a camera that shoots in single frames and an idea in your back pocket, you're well on your way. This collection showcases an assortment of dining table Disneys, who combine homebrewed talent with the all-important dedication and patience required to bring a story to life one frame at a time. Not that this was necessarily a solitary pursuit. From the 1950s onwards networks of amateur animators like The Grasshopper Group collaborated on filmmaking and distribution, and animated shorts were often a highlight of the amateur filmmaking scene.