Nature is in a process of constant change.
Sometimes minimal, sometimes drastic.
Sometimes we see it, sometimes we don’t.
Here’s a little teaser for my new film ‘Making a Mother’ which is all about matrescence and the drastic metamorphosis that takes place in the becoming of a mother, which is often unseen.
Watch via the link in my bio !
Largely inspired by @lucyfjones book ‘Matrescence: On pregnancy, childbirth and motherhood’
Produced by @theosthinktank
Music & sound design by @janwillemdewith
Animation lead @marthahalliday
Voiced by @clover.stroud , Beverley Shepherd & myself
Violinist @sofiayviolin
Vocals @lizzie_stanley
#shortfilm #framebyframeanimation #matrescence #motherhood #animation
This is the opening scene for my new film ‘Making a Mother’ - I painted these slime moulds growing frame by frame 🍄
What has that to do with motherhood?? During the research and writing for this film I learnt about ‘matrescence’, the major transformation women go through physically and mentally when they become a mother. A metamorphosis. Inspired by the beautiful writing of @lucyfjones as she compares this process with the many fascinating ways nature goes through its own metamorphosis.
The full film is out now - watch via the link in my bio!
#animation #2danimation #shortfilm #matrescence #motherhood
What makes a mother?
A new mother is in a process of radical change, sometimes minimal, often drastic.
Morphing, transforming, transcending.
But does anybody see her?
Our new film by award-winning animator @emilydowne explores matrescence – the hidden metamorphosis of a mother – and reimagines ancient wisdom for contemporary motherhood.
🎥 Watch ‘Making a Mother’ on our YouTube channel. Find it on our Linktree or comment MOTHER
Credit:
Directed and designed by @emilydowne
Written by @chine_mcdonald , @lizzie_stanley and @emilydowne
Music and sound design by @janwillemdewith (with vocals from @lizzie_stanley and violins by @sofiayviolin )
Animated by @marthahalliday and @emilydowne
Voiced by @clover.stroud , Beverley Shepherd, and @emilydowne
Produced by Theos with thanks to @lucyfjones and @opensocietyfoundations .
#makingamother #mother #shortfilm #newmotherhood
An evening exploring what motherhood really means in contemporary Britain today and the premiere of Making a Mother, a stunning new animation from award winning director @emilydowne .
Featuring special guests inc. @lucyfjones , award winning journalist and author of 'Matrescence', Revd Alice Watson @vicar_of_glastonbury , @chine_mcDonald , Director of Theos & author of 'Unmaking Mary' & Dr Madeleine Pennington, Head of Research at Theos.
Interested? DM @chine_mcdonald the word MOTHER for the ticket link
Some snippets of style frames from past projects, before we can share more about the film we’re currently working on with amazing artists from around the world. ⭐️☄️🪐
Sneak peak of my new film in the making all about 🔥matrescence🔥 for @theosthinktank ‘s upcoming research on new motherhood. Watch this space!
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#animation #motherhood #shortfilm #2danimation #matrescence
Had the JOY of designing and animating this artwork for @forwhatjoymusic ‘s new Christmas song!!
The artwork is also for sale in print form ✨
You can find it all on their page - go check it outtttt x
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#newmusic #christmas #neosoul #animation #illustration
wow — we didn’t expect this project to spark so much interest.
And we’re so excited to announce: we’re doing it again. 🎬✨
Let’s make another film — together.
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS
This time around, we’re doing things a little differently.
Last time, we had over 100 submissions – which was incredible. But it made post-production a massive challenge. So for this edition, we’re introducing a light selection process – nothing intimidating, we promise!
All we ask is for:
A short description of your idea (a few lines are enough)
A sample of your work (can be previous or related projects)
We welcome all voices – from students to seasoned professionals, from emerging talents to established artists. Diversity of perspective is what makes this project special.
Animators Respond to AI
When AI can make “art” — what does that mean for creativity?
Artificial Intelligence is becoming more than just a tool. It’s starting to shape how we create, think, and imagine. As artists, this moment raises urgent, complex, and fascinating questions. How will AI change our creative work? What do we gain — and what could we lose?
Whether you’re curious, critical, hopeful, skeptical, or just trying to make sense of it all — your perspective matters.
Here’s how to get involved: 🍉Submit a short idea (just a few lines) 🍉Share a sample of your work (previous or related)
⏳DEADLINES Submit your idea by: Friday, Sept 5
Selected artists notified: Sept 26
Final submissions due: Nov 26
Film launches: Jan 2026
🔗 Fill out the form and see the full brief— link in bio.
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#CreativesRespondToAI #OpenCall #FilmmakersWanted #AIandArt #AnimationCall #ArtVsAI #CallForSubmissions #IndieFilm #CollabProject
5 Years Later: Flatten the Curve – Round 2?
A few years ago, during COVID, we invited over 100 incredible artists from around the world to create a short film that spread hope in uncertain times. That project, Flatten the Curve, was one of our favorite collaborations ever — and now, 5 years later, we’re asking ourselves: why not do it again?
This time, there’s one big topic on our minds — and probably on yours too: AI. We want to create a project that asks questions, sparks reflection, and explores what AI means for us as creatives. How will it shape our industry? Where do we see its potential — and its risks?
Our idea: invite artists from all over the world to animate up to 10-second clip reflecting their personal thoughts and feelings toward AI. Whether it’s hopeful, skeptical, humorous, or critical — we want to see it all.
So, would you be interested in taking part? Please take part in the poll below and/or comment your thoughts.
⭐️5⭐️Years Studio Desk!
Wow, we can’t believe it’s already been 5 years — time has flown by.
What happened?
We started during COVID with a wonderful project called Flatten the Curve, where we collaborated with over 100 artists from around the world. It’s still one of our favourite projects. Work picked up pretty fast during that time — then things slowed down. We had quiet months, worked on bigger commissions… a lot of ups and downs.
And yes, the downs: countless styleframes that never made it into films, and many lost pitches for big clients. But that’s part of the process too — and we’ve learned so much along the way.
One major highlight was finally finding a studio where we could work together. That was huge for us: finding furniture, making it feel like our own, and just being in the same space.
Then came the first Studio Desk baby — Kathrin’s little one, now occasionally working as our assistant 😉. And now, we’re working from two different countries!
Some Highlights from the Past 5 Years ✨
💫A BAFTA nomination
💫Invitations to amazing festivals around the world
💫Speaking gigs at universities and conferences
exhibitions
💫Inspiring trips for work (and fun)
💫Collaborations with incredibly talented people we admire
💫And most importantly: building a studio we love, step by step
What do we wish for the future?
More time to work on passion projects. To make a film where we can truly pour our hearts and souls into it. Fingers crossed that dream becomes reality soon.
So much has happened in the last 5 years — from working at home during COVID, to sharing a studio, to now being separated by borders but still united in spirit.
We’re still passionate about the same things: creating meaningful work that matters, exploring real-life topics and transforming them into imagined, beautifully designed, textured worlds.
Also, keep your eyes peeled — we’ll be doing a little giveaway this week to celebrate 5 years of Studio Desk!
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#studiodesk #5years❤️ #annyversary #womeninfilm #emilydowne #kathrinsteinbacher
🌟 Our collaboration with T Brand, the custom content studio of New York Times Advertising, is live for quite a while now and we realised we never really announced it: a series of GIFs for the Boston Children's Podcast Breakthrough! The podcast 🎧 is all about groundbreaking research and inspiring stories, revolutionising the future of pediatrics! 🌟✨ Proud to be part of this project which was right up our street. @nytimes@tbrandstudio bostonchildrens
I loved creating this illustration for the new podcast ‘Motherhood vs the Machine’ by @theosthinktank - such an interesting topic and well worth a listen ! You can find it via the link in their bio ✨
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#motherhood #machine #podcast #illustration #mothering #design #docuseries #artwork #series
