Matthew Bellamy's "Adrift" Wins "Rookies" Challenge

Matthew Bellamy winner at The Rookies

Many congratulations to Escapee Matthew Bellamy whose submission "Adrift" has won the monthly "Gravity Challenge" at The Rookies.

The Rookies is an international competition for young creatives; part contest and part showcase for rising talent.

Matthew Bellamy's Adrift was inspired by the feature film "Project Hail Mary". 

For our students and Escapees, showcasing your work in a competitive, professional environment such as The Rookies can be a crucial step toward launching a successful career.  

"Escape The Rapture" Wins People's Choice at Rookies

"Escape The Rapture" ia "People’s Choice" at the Rookies

Many congratulations to the makers of "Escape The Rapture" which has won a "People’s Choice Award" in the Immersive Media Games category at the 2026 Rookies.  You can find "Escape The Rapture"  at the Rookies here: https://lnkd.in/ecjJKABU. 

"Project Juliet" Runner Up at The Rookies 2026

"Project Juliet" Runner Up at The 2026 Rookies

Congratulations to the makers of  "Project Juliet", which has won the "Runner Up" award for Game of The Year in the category of Console and PC at The 2026 Rookies. 

In "Project Juliet", an unfortunate lab tester is forced to undergo a dangerous trial, with horrifying consequences.  

Project Juliet was created by "Team Psychosis" at Escape Studios, produced by Pahiya Rahman, and was inspired by The Outlast Trials, a survival game created by Montreal-based games company Red Barrels.  

Calling All Escapees: Rookies Deadline 22 June 2026

The Rookie Awards 2026

This year at our annual summer Expo our students presented some of the best work ever created at Escape Studios. 

The next step for our students, especially those graduating this summer, is to enter The Rookies, the international competition for young creatives; part contest and part showcase for rising talent - all our students are strongly encouraged to enter. 

Entry for the 2026 Rookies closes on 22 June 2026. 

"Shapla" Finalist at The 2025 Rookies

Shapla was a finalist at the 2025 Rookies

Many congratulations to the makers of "Shapla", which was a Finalist at the 2025 Rookie Awards.

"Shapla" was created by our graduating class of animation students. "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. 

Get Ready For The Rookies - 2026

The Rookie Awards 2026

Time to get ready for The Rookies 2026.  The Rookies is an international competition for young creatives; part contest and part showcase for rising talent - all our students are strongly encouraged to enter. 

For our students and Escapees, showcasing your work in a competitive, professional environment is a crucial step toward launching a successful career.  

It helps you to build confidence in your work, and also serves as an online portfolio.   Entry for the 2026 The Rookies opens on 7 April 2026 and closes at the end of June. 

Escape Studios Top 12 at Rookies for 2D Animation

Ranked 12 for Production Excellence in 2D Animation

We’re proud to announce that Escape Studios has been ranked 12th in the world for Production Excellence in 2D Animation by The Rookies.  

This recognition underlines our commitment to giving our students an education that mirrors real-studio pipelines, fosters creative risk, and prepares them for the animation industry.

Escape Studios in the 2025 "Rookies"

Entries for the 2025 "Rookies", the annual competition for rising talent in the animation, games and VFX industries, have now closed.  

As always, entering The Rookies is a big part of our students' professional journey, part of becoming what we call "Studio Ready Talent".  

To see some of the remarkable films completed by our talented students this past academic year, check out the projects below.

Time to Enter The Rookies - Deadline 20 June 2025

The 2025 Rookies is now open

Our animation, games and vfx students are now entering their projects in The Rookies Awards 2025, the international competition for young creatives.  The Rookies annual competition opened in April and the final deadline is 20th June 2025.

Escape Studios' tutors cannot enter student projects in The Rookies - our students must do this themselves. 

Your checklist includes screen credits (don't forget Special Thanks), a One Sheet poster, stylish pre-production and development art - all these things should be submitted. And remember - only students can enter. Escape Studios' tutors and staff cannot do this for you. 

2025 "Rookies" Open Today - 7 April 2025

The 2025 Rookies is now open

It is now time for our animation, games and vfx students to enter The Rookies Awards 2025, the international competition for young creatives.  The Rookies annual competition opens today, 7 April 2025 and the final deadline is 20th June 2025.

But don't wait until the deadline - it's always a good idea to get your project ready for entry. That way you get more eyes on your project, and a head start on the competition.  

Your checklist includes screen credits (don't forget Special Thanks), a One Sheet poster, stylish pre-production and development art - all these things should be submitted. And remember - only students can enter. Escape Studios' tutors and staff cannot do this for you. 

2025 Rookies Opens 7 April 2025

Rookies info on Monday 17 Feb 2025

In less than two months it will be time for our students to enter The Rookies Awards 2025, the international competition for young creatives.  The competition opens on 7 April 2025 and the deadline is 20th June 2025.

The Rookies is hosting an information session tomorrow Monday 17 February for anyone who wants to know more. 

But don't wait until the deadline - it's always a good idea to get your project ready for entry.  Your checklist includes screen credits (don't forget Special Thanks), a One Sheet poster, development art - all these things can be prepared in advance of the 7 April opening. 

Escape Studios No 1 at The Rookies

No 1: Production Excellence in Immersive Media

The Rookies, the international competition for aspiring VFX artists, this year ranked Escape Studios No 1 in the world for Production Excellence in Immersive Media - a huge achievement for all our students. 

In other categories, The Rookies ranked Escape Studios No 3 in the UK for 3D Animation, 4th in the UK for Game Design, and 3rd in the UK for VFX Production Excellence. 

Entry into The Rookies helps to prepare students for industry, most importantly by focusing on the preparation of a professional-quality Demo Reel. 

What's The Point of Entering The Rookies?

What is the point of entering The Rookies? 

Why enter The Rookies?  The Rookies is an international competition for young creatives; part contest and part showcase for rising talent. 

For our students and Escapees, showcasing your work in a competitive, professional environment is a crucial step toward launching a successful career.  It helps you to build confidence in your work, and also serves as an online portfolio.  

Rookies Ranks Escape Studios No 2 in UK for VFX

Rookies: Escape Studios in the Top 15 Globally for VFX

The Rookies, the international competition for aspiring VFX artists, has ranked Escape Studios No 2 in the UK and Number 15 Globally for VFX - a huge achievement for our students and staff. 

VFX is very much at the heart of what we do at Escape Studios; it's where we began over 20 years ago, helping to bridge the gap between the skills that industry needed and what was being taught in schools and colleges. 

Time to Enter the 2024 Rookies

The Rookies Awards 2024

It's time for our students to enter The Rookies Awards 2024, the international competition for young creatives. The competition is now open and the deadline is 1st June 2024.

However, it's always a good idea to enter early - make a great first impression and get more eyes on your work. 

Escape Studios "Rookies" Certified School in 2024

The Rookies, the international competition for aspiring VFX artists, has again ranked Escape Studios in the top creative schools internationally, awarding us a formal certification of excellence. 

Last year The Rookies ranked Escape Studios No 1 in the world for Production Excellence in Immersive Media.

For many years Escape Studios has ranked in the top ten globally for VFX and Animation Production Excellence.

Rookies Ranks Escape Studios No 1 in The World

2023 Rookies Rankings

The Rookies, the international competition for aspiring VFX artists, has ranked Escape Studios No 1 in the world for Production Excellence in Immersive Media - a huge achievement for our students and staff. 

In other categories, we have been ranked No 3 in the UK for 3D Animation, 4th in the UK for Game Design, and 3rd in the UK for VFX Production Excellence.

"Papercut" VFX Finalist at The 2023 Rookies

"Papercut": finalist in The 2023 Rookies

Many congratulations to makers of "Papercut", which is a finalist in The 2023 Rookies in the category of "VFX Film of The Year". 
  

Directed by Giorgos Konstantinou and produced by Victoria Arraez, Papercut was a collaboration between 3rd year undergraduate animation and vfx students, working together to create a short film.  Papercut has won many festival awards. 

The Rookies was founded in 2009 to "showcase the most talented student designers, illustrators, film makers, animators, developers, digital artists, and launch them into the career of their dreams." 

Escape Studios Official "Rookies" Page

Escape Studios now has its very own "Rookies" page

We're proud to announce that Escape Studios now has its very own "Rookies" page, showcasing some of the best work done by our students.

The Rookies was founded in 2009 to "showcase the most talented student designers, illustrators, film makers, animators, developers, digital artists, and launch them into the career of their dreams." All our final year students are encouraged to enter as part of their Professional Practice Module.

Last Call for 2023 Rookies

Last call for The Rookies Awards 

Last call for our students to enter The Rookies Awards, the international competition for young creatives. The competition closes today, Thursday 1st June 2023 - the final deadline.

The Rookies was founded in 2009 to "showcase the most talented student designers, illustrators, film makers, animators, developers, digital artists, and launch them into the career of their dreams." All our final year students are encouraged to enter as part of their Professional Practice Module.