FLAMIN Animations is open for applications until 27 May 2025.

FLAMIN Animations is a commissioning programme for early-career Black and global majority* artists working with animation, organised by Film London Artists' Moving Image Network (FLAMIN). Now in its fifth year, the programme aims to support artists as they take their first steps into a career working with the moving image, with development support and funding for a new work.

FLAMIN Animations is presented in partnership with the award winning London-based animation studio Blinkink, who will be providing focused support to the selected animators throughout the development and production process alongside the FLAMIN team.

Previous FLAMIN Animations have been selected for festivals including London International Animation Festival, Annecy International Animation Festival, and Edinburgh International Film Festival, and work has also showcased at venues including BFI Southbank, South London Gallery, FORMA, and Humber Street Gallery. The new commissions have been showcased in partnership with The New Black Film Collective at TNB XPO, an event celebrating Black excellence in the screen industries.

The programme responds to the underrepresentation of global majority artists within the art, film, and animation industries, and is part of Film London’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.

*people of African, Asian, indigenous, Latin American, or mixed-heritage backgrounds

What does the programme offer each artist animator?

• £3,500 to create a new 3 minute animation (includes £500 fee for additional support with animation, e.g. colour, compositing etc.)
• Development and production support and advice from the FLAMIN team
  
• Dedicated one-to-one mentorship from Blinkink's roster of animation directors
• Masterclasses with animation professionals and artists organised by FLAMIN and Blinkink
• Guidance on distribution of the completed work and ongoing support as FLAMIN alumni

Who is eligible to apply?

• For artists who identify as Black and global majority (people of African, Asian, indigenous, Latin American, or mixed-heritage backgrounds)
• Artists must be able to attend bi-monthly masterclasses hosted at Blinkink or Film London (travel expenses can be covered for artists based outside of London)
• Applicants should be based in England
• Current students are not eligible
• No formal education in animation or art is necessary
• FLAMIN is open to artists working in partnerships

Key Dates

• Tuesday 27th May 2025
  Deadline for applications
• Week beginning 23rd June 2025
  Interviews (to take place in person in London, or online over Zoom)
• May 2026
  Deadline for delivery (artists will have 10 months for development and production)

How to Apply

Applications to FLAMIN Animations must be completed online via Wufoo:

FLAMIN Animations 2025-2026 Application Form

We also request that all applicants submit an anonymous Equal Opportunities form:

Equal Opportunities Form

Equal Opportunities data is processed separately from your submission and will not be connected to particular respondents or application outcomes. If you need any information on how we use the information provided, please contact: flamin@filmlondon.org.uk

What do I need to apply with?

• A brief description about you (up to 300 words)
  Tell us about your animation practice: any themes, interests and influences in your work, and any experience you might have had (e.g. screenings, exhibitions, training or jobs). There is an option to upload a CV detailing your professional experience.
  
• Your idea for a short animation (up to 300 words)
  Ideas should be for a 3 minute animated film. There are no set themes for what the film has to be about – follow what interests you. You need to be able to make the animation within the 10-month production period, so think about what might be feasible in that timeframe.
  
• Examples of your previous work
  Submit video links for up to two previous animations you’ve made (preferably completed short films if possible, i.e. not showreels or animatics). You can also upload an optional PDF of images (no longer than 10 pages long and no larger than 10MB in file size) to represent your animation work e.g. drawings, storyboards, collages, CGI tests, or mood boards.

What are we looking for?

• Artists with an innovative and creative approach to animation. We are open to all kind of styles and forms of animated film (hand-drawn, CGI, stop motion etc.), however the scheme is designed to support new short film for an adult audience (we are not able to support children's animation projects).
• Ideas for short animations that are original, engaging and feasible within the timeframe.
• Artists whose previous work is imaginative and demonstrates the necessary skills to independently produce their proposed project.

Contact and Accessibility

Please email flamin@filmlondon.org.uk or phone us on 020 20 7613 7676 with any questions or assistance you require in the application process.

We are happy to provide support and discuss accessibility requirements with applicants who may identify as having a disability.

What do you mean by Animation?

We are looking for innovation in form and content, and encourage experimental approaches to the medium. We welcome all forms of animation, including mixed-media and combinations of live action and animation. It can be drawn, painted, computer-generated, or collaged, but it must be completely original. The work can embrace fiction or documentary and take inspiration from what interests you - anything from politics and poetry to music and mythology.

We want you to be creative and imaginative with the equipment and technology at your disposal, whether it is low-tech or state of the art. It is your idea and creative vision that we are most interested in.

Check out previous FLAMIN Animations commissions and the Film London Talent Showcase for examples of animators that FLAMIN has worked with in previous years.