"Mob Boss Barkino" Wins "Best Animated Short"

"Mob Boss Barkino" wins Best Animated Short Film

Congratulations to the makers of "Mob Boss Barkino", which has won Best Animated Short Film at the Makizhmithran Film Awards.

Mob Boss Barkino was written and directed by Leon Lau, and produced by Angharad Mathias.  The lead animator was Maisy Rogers, and the Editor was Tobi Ajibola.  Industry feedback was generously provided by Charlie Tetlow and Felipe De Lanteuil from Industrial Light & Magic.  

This is the latest of many awards. 

Open Toonz Free Open Source 2D Animation Software

OpenToonz Software

2D animation can be done in a variety of different software packages.  One interesting option is the "OpenToonz" Software, free software for the production of 2D animation.

Based on the software "Toonz", developed by Digital Video S.p.A. in Italy,  OpenToonz has been customized by Studio Ghibli, and used for the creation of its films for many years.  Dwango has launched the OpenToonz project in cooperation with Digital Video and Studio Ghibli. 

Escapee Samuel Baker Joins Sports Interactive

Escapee Samuel Baker has joined Sports Interactive

Many congratulations to Escapee Samuel Baker has joined Sports Interactive as a digital artist.  Samuel Baker took our MA in 3D Animation, learning the art and craft of animation with tutor Lee Caller.

Sports Interactive is a games studio founded in 1994, creating immersive gaming worlds "that let players live and breathe their passions". 

Escapee James Marland Joins Epic Games

James Marland joins Epic Games

Many congratulations to Escapee James Marland who has joined Epic Games as a Tech Art Intern.  

James Marland will graduate this summer with a BSc (Hons) in Technical Art for Games and VFX.  The course focuses on collaboration with other students in large-scale projects and developing industry standard practices and skills. 

Mark Ranson and Joel Gray from Void Interactive

Mark Ranson and Joel Gray from Void Interactive

At Hertfordshire University's annual Expo on Thursday 21 May, game designers Mark Ranson and Joel Gray from Void Interactive talked about their careers at the video games company, producing games such as the First Person Shooter "Ready or Not".  

One of the key messages of Mark and Joel's talk was the importance of optimising game assets for real-life game play, ensuring that the user experience is successful even on sub-optimal platforms. 

Neil Boyle Introduces "Kensuke's Kingdom"

Neil Boyle introduces "Kensuke's Kingdom" 

Animator and director Neil Boyle joined us on Tuesday 19th May at Escape Studios to talk about his BAFTA-nominated 2D animated feature film "Kensuke's Kingdom" released in 2023. 

Neil Boyle talked about the making of Kensuke's Kingdom, and also discussed the state of 2D animation in the UK.  Making independent animated feature films isn't easy, but with persistence and effort it can be done. 

Escape Studios Ranked in Top 5 in UK For Animation

#5 for Animation in the UK

The 2026 Animation Career Review International School Rankings are in.

This year Animation Career Review have ranked us #5 for Animation in the UK,  #12 for Animation in Europe and #27 for Animation Internationally. 

Congratulations to all our students on their remarkable work this past year.

Blue Zoo Summer Internships Now Open

Blue Zoo's 2026 summer internships are now open

Applications for Blue Zoo's 2026 summer internships are now open, and close on Friday 29th May at midnight.  

As always, we encourage our students to apply for internships like this one.  Even if you don't succeed, you will learn valuable skills along the way. 

The internship roles available this year at Blue Zoo are: 3D Animator, Social Media Intern and Production Assistant Intern.

All information needed to apply is at Blue Zoo's careers website along with the application pages.  Applications for Blue Zoo's 2026 summer internships can be made here at the official Blue Zoo site.

Blue Zoo's "AI Manifesto"

Blue Zoo's AI Manifesto

Blue Zoo , one of the UK's leading animation companies, has published their "AI Manifesto".

The AI Manifesto sets out how artists and animators at the studio can navigate the world of artificial intelligence "ethically...leveraging technology for the betterment of society and creativity".  

"Night Terrors" Wins "Best Super Short Film" in NYC

"Night Terrors" wins "Best Super Short" at NYC Awards

Congratulations to the makers of the VFX short film "Night Terrors", which has won "Best Super Short Film" at the New York Film Awards.  

Directed by Erminas Surgautas and produced by Xhoana Tola, "Night Terrors" was a collaboration between undergraduate animation students and VFX students at Escape Studios, working together to create an original story.  

The Art Director was Ruby Ebbs, Yusuf Saddique was the 2D VFX Lead, and Samuel Greer was the 3D VFX Lead.  This is the latest of many festival awards. 

Escapee Jason Cole Joins King Bee Animation

Congratulations to Escapee Jason Cole who has started an animation internship at King Bee Animation. 

Jason Cole studied the Art of Computer Animation at Escape Studios.  While at Escape Studios, Jason wrote and directed the award-winning short film "Life's Gifts".  Jason also worked on the award-winning short "Bloom". 

Festivus Returns Thursday 11th June

Calling all Escape Studios' animation students - Festivus is back in London on Thursday 11th June from 6pm at the Betjeman Arms on the Euston Road, N1C 4QL. 

London's regular animation networking event is an opportunity for our students and recent graduates to get to know people in the animation industry, find out who is hiring, and where the jobs are. 

Festivus is all about meeting people in our industry, networking, and - of course - enjoying a drink with friends.

Festivus is an opportunity to meet people from animation studios in the UK and overseas, see what job opportunities there are, and maybe even get some showreel feedback.

2026-27 Post-Graduate Term Dates at Escape Studios

Escape Studios PG & SC Term Dates - Sept 2026 Entry

Escape Studios Post-Graduate (PG) Term Dates can be found here at the official site.  

September 2026 Entry

Teaching for Master of Arts (MA) and short course (SC) students for our September 2026 entry starts on Monday 21st September 2026, and carries on until the Xmas and New Year holidays which begin on Monday 21 December. 

Teaching resumes on Monday 4th January 2027, and continues until Friday 19th March 2027.  

There is a holiday from Monday 22 March until Friday 22 April.  Studio/Project time starts on Monday 5th April and continues until Friday 10 September 2027. 

Escape Studios at Comicon 22-24 May 2026

MCM Comic Con 22nd - 24th May

Come and join Escape Studios at MCM Comic Con from 22nd - 24th May at ExCel London.

You can find our team at Career Fair stand CRSO1, and also catch talks by our tutors on manga, games and character design at the Career Fair Stage

On Friday 22 May at 11.30am Escape Studios' Character Creation Tutor Aidan Lonergan will introduce "From Concept to Console: A Character's Journey" in the Career Fair Stage. 

On Saturday 23 May at 1.30pm Manga Artist Elena Vitagliano and Comic Artist Oliver Harud will introduce "Panel by Panel: Creating Comics and Manga" on the Career Fair Stage. 

Studio AKA's Phil Hunt Visits Escape Studios

Philip Hunt, Marcus Armitage and Kevin Richards

On Tuesday we were joined by 

animator and director Philip Hunt, the creative director and founder of the Emmy and BAFTA-winning Studio AKA, and Marcus Armitage, animation director at Studio AKA. 

Studio AKA is one of London's most innovative animation studios, and one of our long-standing industry partners.   Philip Hunt and Marcus Armitage talked about the work of Studio AKA, the current state of UK animation - and how Escapees can flourish in a rapidly-changing industry. 

Escapee Elissa Heath Joins King Bee Animation

Elissa Heath animation intern at King Bee Animation

Congratulations to Escapee Elissa Heath who has started an animation internship at King Bee Animation. 

Elissa Heath studied the Art of Computer Animation at Escape Studios.   She also contributed to a number of award-winning animated short films, including "Dusty Memories" and "Bloom", on which she served as lead animator.  

Escape Studios Undergraduate Term Dates 2026-27

Escape Studios Undergraduate Term Dates for 2026-27

Below are Escape Studios' Undergraduate Term Dates for 2026-27.  Classes begin on 21 September 2026 and run until Friday 18 December 2026 when we break for the Xmas holidays. Directed Study Week ("half term") is the week starting Monday 2nd November.  More details below, or you can download the PDF here. 

Introducing "Symphony of The Morning Rush"

Introducing "Symphony of The Morning Rush", the latest 2D animated film created by our graduating class of animation students.   Symphony of The Morning Rush was written, edited and directed by Eva Gifford, and produced by Michael Koden.  Emily Davidson was the art director, and Amelie Pignon was the animation director.  The original score was composed by Alexander Lidster. 

"Shapla" Wins "Best Super Short" in London

"Shapla" wins "Best Super Short" in London

Many congratulations to the makers of "Shapla", which was has won "Best Super Short" at the London Movie Awards. 

"Shapla" was directed by Ruksar Rowza Aziz and produced by Charlie Seeviour.  Erica Sanches was the art director and Tom Price composed the original score.   

Shapla has won many festival awards. 

"Father's Blade" Wins Best Animation at EEFF

Congratulations to the makers of the short film "Father's Blade", which has won "Best Trailer" at the Eastern Europe Film Festival. 

"Father's Blade" was directed by Thomas Husband and produced by Hugo Whitworth; the editor was Alfie Williams and the lead animator was Brandon Rai.  

This is the latest of many festival awards for Father's Blade.