Tokyo Study Week for Escape Animation Students

Digital Hollywood University September 7-11 2026

Escape Studios is excited to announce a "Tokyo Study Week" for our animation students to study for five days at Digital Hollywood University in Tokyo.  

The Tokyo Study Week will run from Monday 7 September to Friday 11 September 2026 and is a chance to learn Japanese animation techniques, with a focus on the unique Japanese visual styles of anime and manga.  Classes will take place every morning, with afternoons left free for students to explore Tokyo and potentially visit animation sites such as the Studio Ghibli Museum and Studio Ghibli Park.  

Introducing "Anarchy"

"Anarchy"

Introducing "Anarchy", the trailer for a combat video game created by our graduating class of Escape Studios' students, studying The Art of Video Games.  

"Anarchy" is inspired by the style of early 2000s video games. 

James McGinty was the Lead Game Designer  and Yousif Abdullah was the Art Director and Animation Lead. 

The Roger Allers Legacy Scholarship: Deadline 4 July

The Roger Allers Legacy Scholarship Award 

The Roger Allers Legacy Scholarship Award is now open.  Applications for upcoming Directors, Story Artists and Librettists can be made here at the official CTN site. The deadline to apply is 4 July 2026. 

The Roger Allers Legacy Scholarship Award honours the legacy of Roger Allers, "an acclaimed filmmaker whose work has shaped generations through the power of stage, screen, and storytelling". 

Roger is best known for directing the global blockbuster film The Lion King (1994) and earning a Tony Award nomination for adapting it into the highest grossing Broadway musical of all time.  

Escape Studios at Annecy Animation Festival 2026

Escapees at Annecy 2026 

A group of intrepid Escapees and current students, as well as some of our some of our recent graduates, travelled to the 2026 Annecy Animation Festival last week.

Braving the heatwave, they spent a week at the world's leading animation event, going to screenings, attending events and talks, and making contacts in the global animation industry.

"Symphony of The Morning Rush" Wins in LA

Symphony wins Best Super Short in Hollywood

Congratulations to the makers of "Symphony of The Morning Rush", the latest 2D animated film created by our graduating class of animation students, which has won "Best Animated Short" at the Hollywood Gold Awards.

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. 

Introducing "Cursed Pages"

Cursed Pages

Introducing "Cursed Pages", the latest VFX short created by our graduating class of students studying The Art of Visual Effects and The Art of Animation. 

"Cursed Pages" was written, directed and produced by Laura Lambert.  Kaike Pela was the 3D lead, and Calum Johnstone was the 2D lead.  

You can watch Cursed Pages at Vimeo here.

Escape Studios Visits BlueBolt VFX

Blue Bolt VFX

Many thanks to VFX house Blue Bolt which has generously hosted our students at Escape Studios for an in-person visit to their Clerkenwell premises.

Blue Bolt is the award-winning VFX studio behind many films and TV shows.  Our students gained valuable insight into the technical and creative processes behind modern VFX, as well as advice on showreels, careers and - most importantly - what it takes to break into the industry today.

The event was led by Will Hughes, Escape Studios' Talent Development Manager. 

Laura Lambert Joins "Futurefolk" Internship

Escapee Laura Lambert joins "Futurefolk" Internship, at Freefolk

Many congratulations to Escapee Laura Lambert who has joined "Futurefolk", the summer internship programme from Freefolk, one of London's leading VFX houses. 

Belle Leuschke Scheduler at Time Based Arts

Belle Leuschke joins Time Based Arts.

Many congratulations to Escapee Belle Leuschke who has joined the VFX house Time Based Arts in Shoreditch, London.

Belle Leuschke studied the Art of Computer Animation at Escape Studios, winning many awards for her work on a number of short films, including "When Life Gives You Lemons", Breakdown", and "The Descent". 

Caelan Galloway Intern at King Bee Animation

Caelan Galloway joins King Bee

Many congratulations to Escapee Caelan Galloway who has started an internship at King Bee Animation in London.  

Caelan Galloway studied the Art of Computer Animation at Escape Studios.  

While at Escape Studios Caelan worked on a number of award-winning short films, including "Crab Companion" and "The Port".

"Symphony" Wins "Best Animated Short" in NYC

Symphony wins Best Animation in NYC

Congratulations to the makers of "Symphony of The Morning Rush", the latest 2D animated film created by our graduating class of animation students, which has won "Best Animated Short" at the New York Movie Awards. 

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. 

Introducing "Decree of The Lich King"

Introducing "Decree of The Lich King", the trailer for a turn-based Role Playing Game (RPG) set in a fantasy world.  Inspired by the world of Dungeons and Dragons, Decree of The Lich King was created by our graduating class of students at Escape Studios, a collaboration between students studying the Art of Video Games and the Art of Computer Animation.  Samir Rivero-Shahid was the Project Lead, and Gabriel Tomala edited the trailer.  Jahiem Antonio was the Lead Animator and Joel Seguin was the Lead Game Developer.  

Introducing "The Port"

The Port

Introducing "The Port", the latest short film created by our graduation class at Escape Studios.

In "The Port" Lucie, a marine biologist, stumbles across a horrifying creature in an old abandoned seaside building. 

The Port was a collaboration between students studying the Art of Games and The Art of Computer Animation. 

The Port was written and directed by Sohaib Mehar and produced by Amelia Chwesiuk.  You can find The Port at Vimeo here.

Introducing "First Night, Last Dance"

First Night, Last Dance

Introducing "First Night, Last Dance", the latest 2D animated film created by our graduating class of 2D animators at Escape Studios. 

First Night, Last Dance tells the story of a raindrop that comes to life, only to venture out into the heat of the desert sun.  

First Night, Last Dance was written and directed by Grace Chandler and produced by Rose Brooksby-Conroy. 

Introducing "Venus Tie Trap"

Venus Tie Trap

Introducing "Venus Tie Trap", the latest VFX short created by our graduating class of students at Escape Studios. Venus Tie Trap was written, directed and produced by Edie Queen-Jones, and co-written and co-directed by Rupin Odedra, who was also the 2D Lead.  

Mark Youssef was the 3D Lead, and John Heberden stars as the office worker.   You can watch Venus Tie Trap here at Vimeo. 

Introducing "Sunset Ecstasy"

Introducing "Sunset Ecstasy"

Introducing "Sunset Ecstasy", a Persian themed fantasy video game created by our graduating class of students at Escape Studios. 

"Sunset Ecstasy" was a collaboration between students studying the Art of Video Games and The Art of Computer Animation.  Sunset Ecstasy was produced by Kye-Takeuchi Brown. Leony Ye was the art director.  You can find Sunset Ecstasy here at Vimeo.

Introducing "Fashionably Late"

Fashionably Late

Introducing "Fashionably Late", the latest VFX short film from Escape Studios.  Fashionably Late tells the story of a competition runner who wakes up late - and finds herself in a world of trouble. 

Fashionably Late was produced by William Brooke, based on an original pitch by Daniela Al-Hilli.  Thomas Cunningham wrote the script.  The athlete was played by Ash Brittleton.  You can find "Fashionably Late" here at Vimeo. https://vimeo.com/1190139530

Introducing "Project Umbrae"

Project Umbrae

Introducing "Project Umbrae", a first person psychological horror experience created by our graduating students at Escape Studios. 

Project Umbrae was a collaboration between students studying the Art of Video Games and the Art of Computer Animation. 

You can find the Project Umbrae trailer at Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/1190412394

Introducing "Armed"

Introducing "Armed"

Introducing "Armed" , the latest 2D animated film created by our graduating class of animation students.  

Armed was written, directed and produced by Fred Mackenzie-Williams. The Art Director was Heidi Thompson. 

Armed tells the story of a cyborg boxer who faces a rematch after a devasting loss. Can she win the big fight, or will her opponent bring her down? You can find Armed at Vimeo here. 

DNEG feedback to our MA VFX Students

Many thanks to our VFX Industry Partner DNEG and DNEG artists Laura Morton, Arda Kutlu and Atilla Menteş for giving invaluable feedback to our Escape Studios MA VFX CG and Compositing students on their Team Project short film proposals.