Blackframe

Calling writers working in animation! Four BFI NETWORK Hubs (@filmhubsw @filmhubnorth , @networkfhm @networkfhse ) have teamed up with ScreenSkills Animation Fund (@screenskills ) to create this new lab for writers to develop, experiment and expand their skills and understanding of storytelling in animation. The lab will support up to 12 early-career writers already working in animation, or with the ambition to write for animation. With a range of speakers and masterclasses on subjects such as structure, collaboration and audience, the lab will offer tangible and practical insights to the exciting visual potential of animation storytelling. Applicants must apply with a short film idea, and selected writers will then work with a script editor to develop it during the lab. The lab will run from Mon 29 June to Wed 30 Sep. The lab will take place mostly online with one in-person day at Aardman in Bristol (reasonable travel expenses will be covered). Applications are now open and will close on Mon 11 May. Find out more through the link in @filmhubsw bio.

Applications are now open for FLAMIN Animations! FLAMIN Animations is a £3,500 commissioning programme for early-career Black and global majority artists based in England. Selected artists will be supported to make a new short film, receive one-to-one mentorship and participate in a series of workshops. The programme is organised by Film London Artists’ Moving Image Network (FLAMIN) @film_london in partnership with Blinkink @blink_ink . Link in @filmlondon bio for more info & how to apply. Video credit: Clip from Lysander Wong (@unghostlys ), ‘Lionhearted’ (2026), commissioned through FLAMIN Animations

Excited to attend to FUTURES:RISING at @norwichuniarts this Fri! Huge thanks to @helenanimate for inviting co-founder Amy Ashton to join the incredible speakers @artsybuki @bimpealliu @debra.coleman.coaching @accessvfx @fairergames & others. Look forward to discussing access, representation & how we can support the next generation of talent in Animation.

Not long to go until @movesummit ! Join BlackFrame this Friday 20th & Sat 21st Feb at Scotland’s biggest animation event. We’ll be at the MOVE Exhibition with co-founder & director Amy Ashton doing portfolio reviews at 2-3pm. BlackFrame Presents will be screening at Filmhouse Cinema & we’ll be hosting networking drinks in partnership with #MOVESummit2026 to close the event. For more info & to explore the full programme, click the link in @movesummit ’s bio!

MOVE Summit is pleased to be partnering with @blackframeanimation for its inaugural Screening Day to showcase a handpicked selection of animated shorts by black animators and creatives. In an industry where Black representation is both rare and essential, BlackFrame promotes the visibility of artists with Afro-Caribbean heritage and provides a space that fosters collaboration, community & connection for Black animators. We invite MOVE-goers to enjoy this rich collection of films and the variety of stories told from the Black perspective, handpicked by BlackFrame co-founders, Amy Ashton and Niya Taylor. Check out the full film programme for #MOVESummit 2026 and grab your passes on our website. 🔗 Link in our bio 🔗 #Animation #MOVESummit2026 #Edinburgh #ShortFilms

As 2025 draws to a close, we’re reflecting on an eventful launch year in which we’ve seen the true power of community & opportunity unlocked through collaboration. Our meet-ups provided a safe space to connect & network with intention. Our portfolio reviews gave career advice from studios & industry experts to the next generation of talent. Our MAF screening showcased a rich collection of stories from Black & Black-identifying artists. And this has just been the beginning!? We want to thank our supporters, collaborators & community who have made all of this possible & to everyone who has engaged with our bid to increase Black representation in animation with meaning. Have yourselves a restful break & see you in 2026! @thebritishblacklist @strangebeasttv @passionanimation @nexusstories @thisis_jelly @thelineanimation @the_kusp @blacq_space @creativecircleawards @samsheridandesign @az_does_motion_design @dondadastudio @corinneladeinde @artsybuki @maxwell_oginni @jonathan_djob_nkondo Micah Mcleod @blackchildish @magnus.atom @mcranimation @marymartinsart @animnathan_ @mentalrootspod Osbert Parker @shinyawards @apalondon @afro_story_summit @aniboxx @jidejohnsonofficial @afroanimationsummit @accessvfx

Massive thanks to the @afro_story_summit for hosting us last weekend! We were thrilled to be a part of an inspiring programme with leading industry talent that champions Black creativity and storytelling in Animation & VFX. It was great to connect with familiar faces, new creatives and emerging talent through our portfolio reviews, led by @az_does_motion_design , @artsybuki , @corinneladeinde & Amy Ashton. One of the day’s insightful panels was Women Trailblazing in Animation, which deep-dived into the career journeys of @bimpealliu (Concept Artist at @ilmvfx ), @az_does_motion_design (@dondadastudio Founder) & Amy Ashton (Co-Founder & Director of BlackFrame), moderated by @accessvfx Creative Director & Board Member @nenejparsotam . Hats off to organisers @jidejohnsonofficial @aniboxx , @keithwhiteusa @afroanimationsummit & @blanchaus.events for bringing us all together.

Catch the Women Trailblazing in Animation panel at the Afro Story Summit this Sat 6th! @accessvfx Creative Director & Board Member @nenejparsotam will be moderating the panel with an incredible line up of speakers, including Amy Ashton (BlackFrame Co-founder & Director), @az_does_motion_design (Animation Director & @dondadastudio Founder) and @bimpealliu (Concept & VFX Artist at @ilmvfx ). Explore the programme & buy tickets via @afro_story_summit 📍 The Brixton Ritzy, London 🗓 Saturday 6 December 2025 | 9:30 AM – 7:30 PM

The @afro_story_summit are hosting their first London event at The Brixton Ritzy! Join us for a vibrant celebration of diversity and innovation in Animation and Film on Saturday 6th Dec. BlackFrame will be running portfolio reviews led by talented directors @az_does_motion_design (@dondadastudio ), @artsybuki , @corinneladeinde and BF co-founder & director Amy Ashton (@a_troop ). Sponsored by BBC Children’s & Education alongside other leading industry partners, this landmark event brings together @aniboxx , @afroanimationsummit and @blanchaus.events for a powerful new collaboration. Grab a discounted ticket to enjoy a full day of insightful panels & networking opportunities with outstanding talent in the industry (link in @afro_story_summit bio) 📍 The Brixton Ritzy, London 🗓 Saturday, 6 December 2025 | 9:30 AM – 7:30 PM 🎟 20% Black Friday discount on all passes with code BLACKFRIDAY20 →

Still buzzing from our first screening at @mcranimation ! It was a joy to showcase films from Black artists & to share their rich variety of stories with #MAF2025. We were treated to an insightful Q&A with directors @marymartinsart & @mentalrootspod , lead by @a_troop & @niyadre discussing their career journeys, craft in storytelling & the value of representation. Following the programme, we had the pleasure of connecting with fellow filmmakers, festival-goers & the community up North. Huge thanks to Steve & Jen for hosting us this year and to everyone who came! To watch other selected films from MAF, passholders can watch the online programme until Nov 30th Photos by Chris Payne

Meet Some “Masters Of Motion” at 1:50pm on Saturday, 6th December At this years Afro Story Summit (brought to you by @aniboxx Studios, @afroanimationsummit and @blanchaus.events and Gain Leadership insights from Animation Directors and Producers, who have led Animation teams on some of the most exciting projects, such as:  Wesley Louis @librabear  Founder Of  @thelineanimation  (Transformers, Cowboy Bebop) Jide Johnson @jidejohnsonofficial  Founder Of @aniboxx  Animation Studios (Cartoon Network |  The Tuttle Twins) And cofounder of @afrostorysummit And Comfort Arthur @lady_comfy  Episodic Director Of BBC's JoJo And Gran Gran:  Moderated by @AndyWyatt   @ToonBoomanimation  Partner and Founder of @animationassociates  Join our panel discussion on Animation Production Pipelines and how taking our popular stories from concepts to screen can be achieved more efficiently in a leadership role. Animators, Producers and mid level Animation  professionals Attend this panel to enter our competition and win a free Toon Boom Harmony or Storyboard Pro Software license. Thanks to our contributing partners @toonboomanimation @accessvfx @animationassociates @bfinetwork @bectuunion @book180adschool @blackframeanimation @thebritishblacklist #Animation #AfroStorySummit #Producers #Directors #leaders #masters

🎬TO WATCH THE FULL SHOWCASE & TO CONTACT THE FEATURED TALENT GO TO OUR LINKTREE 🎬 As part of our APA Black History Month initiative, we held the second annual Celebrating Black Creatives Showcase at Reframe 2025 – the APA’s DEI & Wellbeing event in partnership with the IPA, ISBA, and the Advertising Association.   The Showcase was held in partnership with @blackframeanimation , an initiative aimed at promoting the visibility and community of Black artists in the UK animation industry. BlackFrame presented their initiative and how they provide a vital platform for building relationships, sharing experiences, and creating new opportunities for Black professionals. The Celebrating Black Creatives Showcase featured work from the BlackFrame animation community, as well as work from a range of roles: Directors, Movement Directors, Photographers, Editors and DOPs. The Showcase reel included a variety of work from innovative storytelling and unique commercials to documentary-style works. The APA and its members are committed to increasing the representation of talent from groups that are currently underrepresented in the commercials production industry. We hope to continue creating events and spaces like this to promote voices in our industry, which truly represent the audiences we aim to engage. We want to thank all the participants of the Showcase, our speakers including BlackFrame, and all attendees who made this event a success. Your support and enthusiasm are instrumental in creating positive change in our industry.