UoG launches Fine Lines Illustration and Animation Festival

Award-winning film director, writer and animator, Neeraja Raj, is among the guest speakers at University of Gloucestershire’s inaugural Fine Lines Illustration and Animation Festival.

Led by the University’s School of Creative Arts, the event will enable visitors to attend talks delivered by experts, meet UK and international animators and illustrators – including University students and recent graduates – and find out more about the careers available within the industry.

The Fine Lines Illustration and Animation Festival will also feature a comics and illustration market with more than 60 artists and publishers showcasing and selling their work, including stickers, badges, comics and prints.

The festival will take place at the University’s Park Campus on Saturday 27 April 2024 (10am-6pm). The event is free to attend and no booking is required.

Neeraja Raj’s acclaimed 2020 animation film Meow or Never was shortlisted for the BAFTA Awards, and won the Young Director Award and the International Women in Animation Best Film Award.

Recognised as one of Variety’s Top 10 Animators to Watch (2022) and a Forbes 30 Under 30 Entertainment honouree (2023), Neeraja (main image and pictured left) has also worked at Aardman Animations and Disney.

Among the guest speakers joining Neeraja at the festival are Denzell Dankwah, a recent University graduate now illustrating his own series of graphic novels; Seraphina Bewick, a recent University graduate working for Warner Brothers Discovery in their acquisitions and development department at Cartoon Network and Cartoonito; Steve Smith, founder of Beakus animation studio; and Domareen Fox, art director from Netflix’s Dead End Paranormal Park series.

Neeraja Raj said: “I’m super stoked to be part of the Fine Lines Illustration and Animation Festival at University of Gloucestershire.

“It’s all about giving back to the arts and animation scene, and I’m thrilled to be passing on what I’ve learned to the up-and-coming artists.

“These kinds of festivals are so awesome because they bring everyone together and we all motivate each other to step up our game.

“I can’t wait to hang out with other artists and chat with young students, checking out their work and getting inspired myself. Seeing people making an impact with their art is just so wholesome and reassuring.”

Organiser, Seb Burnett, lecturer on the BA (Hons) Illustration and BA (Hons) Animation programmes at the University, said: “The festival is a celebration of illustrators and animators that will help to build a creative community around image-making and storytelling.

“Having worked as an illustrator and run my own animation studio, I’m aware of the significant crossover between the subjects and how much successful collaborative working there is in these areas.

“I’m really excited about how many artists are coming to Park Campus to talk about their careers and showcase their work alongside our students and graduates.”

Fine Lines Illustration and Animation Festival, The Park:

11.30am, TC014: Weird and Wonderful Animation Screening

12.30pm, Room TC014: Seraphina Bewick talks about her role on the acquisitions and development team at Cartoon Network and Cartoonito

1.30pm, TC014: Denzell Dankwah talks about life after UoG and his new graphic novel project with Scholastic UK

2.30pm TC014: Steve Smith, founder of Beakus Animation studio, talks about Beakus’ work on TV shows such as Yakka Dee and the development of their new children’s animated show

3.30pm TC014: Neeraja Raj gives a showcase of award-winning animations and talks about their process across a range of projects, 2d and stop motion

4.30pm TC014: Domareen Fox discusses the role of an art director for animation, including work on the Netflix Series Dead End Paranormal Park