Hallam student given Nick Park Award for animation work

Sheffield Hallam animation student, Louis Kelly, has been awarded the Nick Park, Aardman Award which recognises outstanding work in animation  

Press contact: Emma Griffiths | e.griffiths@shu.ac.uk

The award focuses on third year students’ project pitches which outlines what they will produce in their second semester, with Nick Park providing feedback to three shortlisted students.  

Nick Park is an alumnus of Sheffield Hallam University and was also awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the university for contribution to the arts.  

Louis Kelly won the award this year for the pitch for his final year project, Ahoy! Pygmalion.  

Ahoy! Pygmalion is planned to be a stop-motion animated short film, inspired by Trumpton and Camberwick Green, but with a more surreal and dark twist. The film is currently in production now.  

On winning the award Louis said: “It was a nice surprise. I feel lucky just being in a group of students that get to submit for it, I haven’t had much real industry feedback until this. I hope the project delivers from the pitch that I presented them with." 

Runners up for the award were Jules Jeffers for his 2D animated short Cigarettes, and M Drozda for their 2D animated short, Mesozoic Heatwave. M said: “The feedback and just being shortlisted in general honestly helped with my personal self-esteem in my artistic abilities. Just being nominated is enough of a win to me in my book.” 

On getting feedback as part of the nomination, Jules said: “I'm really grateful for having been nominated. It was a brilliant opportunity and getting written feedback from Nick Park himself was amazing.” 

Course Leader for BA Animation at Sheffield Hallam University, Liam Hall, said: “Our students work extremely hard on their final year projects, not only through the research and development of original ideas and the raft of pre-production and planning required to get animation off the ground - but also the production itself which continues throughout the year. It’s a lot of blood, sweat and tears!  

“The Nick Park, Aardman Award provides a critical opportunity for industry recognition of the students’ commitment. The feedback from Nick Park himself is invaluable to those shortlisted, especially at such an early and formative point in their careers. I cannot thank Aardman and Nick Park enough for their commitment to the award, and our students for all their hard work.”