Free
DIY Animation
Amateur animation auteurs bring their homegrown creations to life
The requirements for making an animated film are pretty low. With a camera that shoots in single frames and an idea in your back pocket, you're well on your way. This collection showcases an assortment of dining table Disneys, who combine homebrewed talent with the all-important dedication and patience required to bring a story to life one frame at a time. Not that this was necessarily a solitary pursuit. From the 1950s onwards networks of amateur animators like The Grasshopper Group collaborated on filmmaking and distribution, and animated shorts were often a highlight of the amateur filmmaking scene.
Face to FaceFace to Face
Animation & Artists Moving Image19813 mins Location: South Shields
Marking time on a face, a swift, bleak portrait of a man from cradle to grave.
For Your PleasureFor Your Pleasure
Animation & Artists Moving Image19704 mins Location: Flatford Mill
An iconic rural scene becomes a protest site for the bitter yet comic vision of prolific amateur animator Derek Phillips
Little CindersLittle Cinders
Amateur film195221 mins Location: Leeds
A magical film in many ways, a fairy tale story using trick photography and with artful and imaginative stop motion animation.
The Battle of WangaporeThe Battle of Wangapore
Amateur film19559 minsSilent
Charge into this slick amateur cartoon from the Grasshopper Group which was three years in the making
Pipe DreamsPipe Dreams
Amateur film19653 mins Location: Wakefield
A once common object in many households becomes transformed into a quirky dancing troupe in this simple homespun animation.
Plastic PlatitudesPlastic Platitudes
Amateur film19574 mins
Specially commended by ‘Amateur Cine World'. Nineteen fifties claymation by Douglas Butcher offering tongue-in-cheek advice for life.
Mr Eppynt a Clara'r Fuwch: Y BunyipMr Eppynt a Clara'r Fuwch: Y Bunyip
Animation & Artists Moving Image19786 mins
A fair exchange is no robbery, perhaps. The Bunyip – an unknown quantity – takes the animated Mr Eppynt and Clara the Cow by surprise.
The Feline FunThe Feline Fun
Amateur film198613 minsSilent
The shenanigans of Cuthbert-Tiggy, the mischievous kitty who enjoys a tipple. An intriguing combo of stop-motion animation and live action.
Mr Putty Takes the StageMr Putty Takes the Stage
Amateur film195818 mins
Part animation - part live action - part instructional film from Douglas Butcher on 'The moulding of a character in Plasticene'. Made in 1958.
Toys Will Be ToysToys Will Be Toys
Animation & Artists Moving Image19885 mins Location: South Shields
Barbie dolls in pink battle khaki killing machines in a Christmas animation that cocks a snook at the “Disney Doctrine”.
Mr Eppynt a Clara'r Fuwch: Yr EnfysMr Eppynt a Clara'r Fuwch: Yr Enfys
Animation & Artists Moving Image19786 mins
Every cloud has a silver lining but Rainbow Valley’s is not just silver but technicolored, thanks to artistic Mr Eppynt and his dear cow Clara.
Pigeon CreePigeon Cree
Animation & Artists Moving Image198610 mins Location: North Tyneside
An exuberant animated short celebrates writer Sid Chaplins short story about the defiant spirit of an old miner who finds his beloved pigeon loft is under threat.
George on a Cycling Tour through SussexGeorge on a Cycling Tour through Sussex
Amateur film196114 minsSilent
A surrealistic animation featuring cut-out characters on a beserk bicycle ride through Sussex towards a final destination in the Brighton Dome.
Anthropoid AnecdoteAnthropoid Anecdote
Amateur film19669 mins Location: Leeds
An animated battle of the sexes as seen from the husband’s viewpoint, before the impact of modern feminism put a dent into male chauvinism.
Kitchen KaperKitchen Kaper
Amateur film19635 mins Location: Wakefield
The clinking of the milkman doing his daily rounds turns into a moving tale of romance between the contrasting beverages of day and night.
Bio and BonesBio and Bones
Animation & Artists Moving Image198510 mins Location: South Shields
The bare bones of how human bodies work introduced by a blobby one-celled character called Bio.
Dinosaurs and ThingsDinosaurs and Things
Amateur film198113 minsSilent
Those “things” being spiders, serpents, pre-historic monsters and God. Stop-motion clay animation inspired by the work of Ray Harryhausen.
The Ballad of Charlie ClydeThe Ballad of Charlie Clyde
Animation & Artists Moving Image19813 mins Location: Sunderland
‘Being a lad is not so bad!’ A father chides his wilful son - in rhyme.
Club SpiritClub Spirit
Animation & Artists Moving Image19649 mins Location: Halifax
The dangers of drinking take on a surreal turn as one of the pink elephants seen by our inebriated hero materializes and thwarts all attempts to get rid of her, even a safari hunter.
The Boy and the SongThe Boy and the Song
Animation & Artists Moving Image19764 mins Location: South Shields
Travel on a pitch purrfect mid-winter odyssey inspired by song with a cartoon boy and his devoted cat.
Fly's Eye ViewFly's Eye View
Amateur film19649 minsSilent Location: Manchester
The world on a grand scale, as seen through the eyes of a housefly.
CubismCubism
Amateur film19812 mins
The puzzle that kick-started the 1980s comes to life in this amateur animation.
A Note from AboveA Note from Above
Animation & Artists Moving Image19672 mins
Thou shalt watch this film
First AnimationFirst Animation
Amateur film19804 minsSilent Location: Chorlton-cum-Hardy
The world in stop motion: experiments with time and perception.
Problems EndProblems End
Amateur film19643 mins
Petty party politics gets animated - literally - in this amateur cartoon with a message.
Larn Yersel' GeordieLarn Yersel' Geordie
Animation & Artists Moving Image198011 mins Location: Newcastle upon Tyne
Learn how to speak Geordie with a riotous animation of Scott Dobsons popular vernacular lessons.
Is This Your Life?Is This Your Life?
Amateur film19579 minsSilent
An unusual and visually sophisticated commentary on the routine drabness and drudgery of everyday suburban existence.
Little Red Riding HoodLittle Red Riding Hood
Animation & Artists Moving Image19808 mins Location: Wolverhampton
A big, bad, but very stylish, wolf meets his match in this model animation of a traditional fairy tale.
ABZ on Sport?ABZ on Sport?
Amateur film19674 mins
A stalwart of Cardiff Amateur Cine Society tries his hand at the sort of cut-out craziness Terry Gilliam created for Monty Python.
On The Fifth DayOn The Fifth Day
Animation & Artists Moving Image19792 minsSilent Location: Wolverhampton
A flight of fancy, and a story of creation seen with an animator's eye.
Animal AlphabetAnimal Alphabet
Amateur film19674 mins
Awesome, Beguiling and Creative: a simple but stunningly imaginative English alphabet drawn by a stalwart member of Cardiff’s cine club.
Watch the BirdieWatch the Birdie
Amateur film19546 minsSilent
What do you mean you’ve never heard of the Ungle-Wungle bird? Take a look at this lesser spotted animated gem
RescueRescue
Amateur film19687 mins
After a short but flammable existence, Victor, a matchbox from Sweden, reflects on life's vicissitudes as he awaits his fate in the gutter.
Christmas Around the WorldChristmas Around the World
Animation & Artists Moving Image19785 mins Location: South Shields
Chomping alligators, a boomerang throwing kangaroo, a turkey in Turkey, and an angry lion, all mollified by a world touring, bumbling Santa.
Howway the LassesHowway the Lasses
Animation & Artists Moving Image19771 mins Location: Northumberland
This jaunty hand-drawn animation charts the history of womens revolutionary road to freedom in the North East - from Stone Age sister to suffragette of the twentieth century.
BureaucatsBureaucats
Amateur film19786 mins
Behind closed drawers what other worlds lie? A bureau with tenants from the pleistocene (or plasticine) era offers ‘documentary’ potential.
A Change in the WeatherA Change in the Weather
Amateur film19694 mins
Weathermen fighting! Ian Malcolm of Cardiff’s cine club, drew these characters on copy typing paper to illustrate a story by G Buckley.
Animation CocktailAnimation Cocktail
Amateur film197721 minsSilent
A frog projectionist, a drunken hound, and shadow muscle men make up this Animation Cocktail of stop-motion sequences by filmmaker Jon Coley.
Child's Guide to Catching an Elephant KitChild's Guide to Catching an Elephant Kit
Amateur film19722 mins
Catching an elephant? It’s simple, all just a question of perception. This “mad ad” was created by a stalwart of Cardiff Amateur Cine Society.
CureCure
Amateur film197724 mins
Extra-terrestrial plantlife is discovered in the Welsh countryside causing mischief for scientist Dr Felix Ackerman, filmed in 1977.
Legend of the Red DragonLegend of the Red Dragon
Amateur film19713 mins
A captivating, upside-down version of George and the Dragon and the history of Wales. Steely George is no match for a fiery Welsh ‘mam’.
Keep Wales Tidy / Cedwch Gymru'n DaclusKeep Wales Tidy / Cedwch Gymru'n Daclus
Animation & Artists Moving Image19701 mins
It’s no joke – litter - even if an American, a Scotsman and an Englishman are involved!
My River TyneMy River Tyne
Animation & Artists Moving Image19867 mins Location: South Shields
An unusual mix of pastel, photos, film and line drawings conjures a story of the River Tyne, from its source at the Scottish border to its mouth at South Shields.
Be a Good NeighbourBe a Good Neighbour
Animation & Artists Moving Image19776 mins Location: South Shields
An animation stuffed full of canine cracks promotes the Home Office Good Neighbour scheme in the 1970s.
Echo: Some ReflectionsEcho: Some Reflections
Animation & Artists Moving Image19725 mins
It’s all done with mirrors! Glynn Williams explores the properties of reflection in this amusing animation featuring a toy train set.
The Fifth MinuteThe Fifth Minute
Amateur film19769 mins
Nightmarish visions become a reality in this imaginative production that mixes live action, animation, and special effects.
Generation GapGeneration Gap
Amateur film197311 mins
Are the times a-changin', or are we getting old? This amateur cartoon delves into the dreams of the Cashworthy family.
Hand in GloveHand in Glove
Amateur film197612 mins
To carry on his important work the ego-maniacal scientist Dr Kelly must obtain another hand … a hand which begins to take on a life of its own.
Welcome to the Losers ClubWelcome to the Losers Club
Animation & Artists Moving Image19747 mins
Looking for escape from the relentless drudgery of life? Don’t worry, there is a way out of the Loser’s Club
Lady of ShallotLady of Shallot
Animation & Artists Moving Image19765 mins Location: South Shields
A cursed heroine chooses between two worlds in an enchanting animation of Alfred Tennyson’s enduring poem about unrequited love.
Boy and the CatBoy and the Cat
Amateur film197610 mins Location: South Shields
A boy and his cat make mischief in the snow at South Shields in this captivating hand-drawn childrens animation created by Sheila Graber.
The Twelve Days of ChristmasThe Twelve Days of Christmas
Animation & Artists Moving Image19764 mins Location: South Shields
A classic Christmas carol brought joyously to life in this engaging and colourful Sheila Graber animation, with help from her school class.
Old ChinaOld China
Amateur film19399 minsSilent Location: Hyde
Look closely into the Willow pattern for a timeless tale of tragic love.
Short Tribute From Blues To YouShort Tribute From Blues To You
Amateur film19892 minsSilent Location: Chorlton-cum-Hardy
Model music men - an unusual appreciation of some legendary figures of rock.
The BattleThe Battle
Animation & Artists Moving Image19705 mins
Once more unto the breach… a cartoon tour inside the body of an aging man reveals a battleground in which there can be only one winner
ShadowmanShadowman
Amateur film19948 mins Location: Harlesden
A female protagonist falls prey to the ‘Shadowman’, who stalks his victim before attack. Uses stop-motion animation as well as live action.