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2024 marks twenty years since UK Screen Alliance was established. To honour this special anniversary and highlight the outstanding achievements made in our industry over the recent years, UK Screen Alliance and Animation UK will be hosting an awards ceremony alongside our 20th anniversary gala dinner on Thursday, 25 April 2024 at Stationers’ Hall in London.

The call for nominations is now open and the closing date is 6pm on Wednesday, 13 December.

The five awards categories, sponsored by Tysers, Simons Muirhead Burton and LucidLink, are as follows:

Outstanding Contribution to VFX
Outstanding Contribution to Animation
Outstanding Contribution to Post-Production
Outstanding Contribution to Skills Development
Outstanding Contribution to Diversity and Inclusion

Nomination process

Once nominations close, they will be checked for validity and then assessed by an independent jury.

The jurors will score the nominations based on the criteria below. It is not necessary to provide evidence against all criteria, as some may not be relevant to the nominee’s role. Nominees will be ranked based on their three highest scoring categories. Only in the event of a tie will the next highest scoring criteria be used to separate nominees.

We will announce the shortlists of nominees in advance of our gala dinner, where awards will be presented to the winners on the evening.

Nomination criteria

Nominations should be for individuals, but we will also accept nominations for partnerships, or small teams who have made outstanding joint contributions. We will not accept nominations for whole companies.
We will be considering the nominees contribution over the last five years (2018 to 2023).
Both nominators and nominees must be employed or contracted by a UK Screen Alliance or Animation UK member company.
You cannot nominate yourself, but you can nominate others within your company or other member companies
You may make nominations in one or more categories, but you can make no more than one nomination in each category.
You can nominate the same person(s) in one or more categories.
Nominations must be submitted via the online form(s) below. You may supply links to additional evidence, such as webpages or reels, where relevant.

Outstanding Contribution to VFX

Download form here

Body of work
- Demonstrated excellence and consistency in their contributions to the field of VFX.

Innovation and creativity
- Innovative approaches to VFX techniques or technology that have pushed the boundaries of the medium.

Impact on the VFX industry
- Significant influence on the VFX industry through their work, leadership, or contributions to industry standards and practices.

Artistic excellence
- Exceptional artistic skills and contributions to the visual and aesthetic aspects of VFX.

Technical expertise
- Pioneering or advancing VFX technology, software, or techniques that have had a profound impact on the industry.

Influence on future generations
- Demonstrated ability to inspire and shape the work of future VFX artists and creators.

Outstanding Contribution to Animation

Download form here

Body of work
- Demonstrated excellence and consistency in their contributions to the field of animation.

Innovation and creativity
- Innovative approaches to animation techniques, storytelling, or technology that have pushed the boundaries of the medium.

Impact on the animation industry
- Significant influence on the animation industry through their work, leadership, or contributions to industry standards and practices.

Artistic excellence
- Exceptional contributions to the visual and aesthetic aspects of animation.

Technical expertise
- Pioneering or advancing animation technology, software, or techniques that have had a profound impact on the industry.

Global reach and influence
- Recognition and influence on a global scale, including international recognition and contributions to cross-cultural understanding through animation.

Positive social impact
- Contributions that have had a positive impact on society or have addressed important social or cultural issues through animation.

Influence on future generations
- Demonstrated ability to inspire and shape the work of future animators and creators.

Outstanding Contribution to Post-Production

Download form here

Body of work
- Demonstrated excellence and consistency in their contributions to the field of post production.

Innovation and creativity:
- Innovative approaches to post-production techniques or technology that have pushed the boundaries of the medium.

Impact on the post-production industry
- Significant influence on the post production industry through their work, leadership, or contributions to industry standards and practices.

Artistic excellence
- Exceptional artistic skills and contributions to the visual and aesthetic aspects of post-production.

Technical expertise
- Pioneering or advancing post production technology, software, or techniques that have had a profound impact on the industry.

Influence on future generations
- Demonstrated ability to inspire and shape the work of future creators.

Outstanding Contribution to Skills Development

Download form here

Innovation in skills development
- Exceptional original and creative approaches to solving talent pipeline challenges.

Excellence in leadership in executing skills development programmes
- Demonstrated excellence in leading change to implement impactful schemes.

Contribution to industry collaboration on skills challenges
- Impact in pan-industry cooperation to scale the talent pool.

Commitment in external outreach
- Demonstrated impact in collaborating with schools, colleges and universities to attract new talent to the sector.

Contribution to the mentorship of aspiring individuals and professionals
- Excellence in supporting the careers of others.

Influence on future generations of creative talent
- Demonstrated ability to inspire and shape the future workforce.

Outstanding Contribution to Diversity and Inclusion

Download form here

Contribution in ensuring inclusive participation and eliminating discrimination
- Outstanding response to equity, inclusion, or diversity challenges.

Innovation in DEI programmes
- Demonstrates impact with original and proactive schemes to promote DEI in the workplace.

Advocating for underrepresented groups
- Being a champion for all minority communities.

Diverse recruitment
- Impact in ensuring the recruitment process is fair and accessible to all.

Excellence in leadership
- Excellence in driving change in diversity, equity and inclusion.

Showcasing diverse perspectives in their work
- Strong commitment to the on-screen presence of people or stories from all communities.

Commitment to the values of equity, diversity and inclusion beyond the expectations of their job role/project
- Being an outstanding role model.

If you have any questions about the awards or nomination process, please contact Neil. To book your tickets for the gala dinner, visit the Eventbrite page below.

20th anniversary gala dinner tickets

You have helped us shape our industry over the last two decades. Now, it is time to look back at what we have achieved together and set our goals for the many years to come. We hope to see you there!

Thanks again to Simons Muirhead Burton, Tysers, Percy & Warren and LucidLink for sponsoring the awards; and Salon for sponsoring our drinks reception.

UK Screen Alliance/Animation UK recruitment and vacancy survey

We are conducting a survey into recruitment and vacancy levels into all the various job roles in VFX, post and animation.

It is inevitable when we ask you “Where are your skills shortages? that we get the answer “Everywhere!”. That may be true but it doesn’t help us prioritise scarce resources to help solve the issue. This survey will seek quantitative evidence that will help us make the case for targeted interventions.

We are asking you to report the number of joiners and leavers you have had over the last year in around 100 job roles; the same roles taxonomy we use for our workforce survey. We also ask you about the difficulties in recruiting for each role.

Please fill in the spreadsheet template which can be downloaded below, complete and return it to by email to Neil before 15th July; sooner if possible. Your individual company data will remain confidential and only aggregate totals will be shared in our skills plans reports.

Please let us know if you are able to participate, so we can monitor the likely level of engagement. If you have any questions please do contact us.

UK-Screen-Alliance-Animation-UK-recruitment-survey Download

Annecy 2022- UK Pavilion

The UK Pavilion, which will be based in MIFA,C.19, offers a meeting space for UK delegates and information resources about working with the UK. It is organised by Animation UK and by the BFI with National Lottery funding, supported by DIT, Film London, Northern Ireland Screen, Screen Scotland, and Creative Wales. All partners support our celebrated sector under the marketing banner of Animated UK: Creating New Worlds.

Come and see us at the stand C.19, meet the key agencies, organise your meetings and attend networking events throughout the week.

Download your digital brochure.

Post Production & VFX Apprenticeships: New Programmes – New Opportunities

An event for employers in VFX and post production to increase awareness of the available apprenticeships.

Held on 9th June 2022 at 21 Soho

Organised by UK Screen Alliance, with funding from ScreenSkills, and in conjunction with London South Bank University and NextGen Skills Academy

This page holds all the digital downloads and links from the event.

Agenda

Introduction
Apprenticeships overview
- Neil Hatton, CEO, UK Screen Alliance
Post Production Technical Operator, Post Production Engineer, Assistant Recording Technician
- London South Bank University – Ben Mallaby, Lance Gaunt, Justin Randall
VFX 2D Artist, 3D Artist (Generalist), ATD, Junior Animator
- Next Gen Skills Academy – Marcia Deakin
Post Production Coordinator/ Post Production Manager
Q&A

Don’t forget to respond to the UK Screen Alliance survey on company investment in training

https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/uksa-auk-training-audit

Apprenticeships overview presentation

Neil Hatton, CEO, UK Screen Alliance

Apprenticeships new opportunities Download

Post Production Apprenticeships

Post Production Technical Operator apprenticeship

LSBU application page

Assistant Recording Technician apprenticeship

Assitant Recording Engineer Apprenticeship Download

NextGen VFX Recruitment Presentation

Marcia Deakin, NextGen Skills Academy

NextGen VFX apprentice recruitment Download

Production Coordinator and Production Manager Apprenticeships

PM & PC apprenticeships Download

Working Groups

All our working groups provide forums for discussion on important topics, but they do more than this. The groups are not “talking-shops” as they seek to analyse issues from which we action new policy campaigns and initiatives.

To join a working group message us via the Contact Us page of this website. Only representatives of UK Screen Alliance or Animation UK member companies may join working groups.

Facilities Members Group

This is the group that participates in our weekly Zoom calls which covers topical issues of the week affecting post & VFX and often has guest speakers for other stakeholder organisations, like BFI, BFC, DCMS etc.

VFX & Animation Skills Working Group

Our most active group meets 10 times a year and its remit is anything to do with the VFX & animation workforce, both domestic and international. It is attended by HR, recruitment, talent management, learning and development, and visa specialists from VFX and animation companies. Its activities have included responding to consultations on post Brexit visas for skilled workers and ensuring that VFX and animation roles are on the Shortage Occupation List. It also is a focal point for developing and promoting training initiatives such as apprenticeships. It is also the driving force behind of annual workforce survey.

VFX PR Working Group

This group consists of the VFX studio publicists. Its remit is to promote the UK’s VFX industry as a whole. It collates sharable public domain information and case studies about what VFX is being performed in the UK. These resources are then used in our advocacy campaigns with government, BFI and BFC and for international promotion of the UK as a destination for inward investment.

Post PR Working Group

This group consists of the Post company publicists. It promotes the UK’s post industry as a whole. It emphasises the value of post to productions as this has become eroded and commoditised.

Animation Members Group

This is the main Animation UK member forum for all things animation, such as PSB relationships, the animation tax credit, investment and funding (e.g. YACF and GSF), co-production and international promotion at festivals and markets (e.g. Annecy)

Commercial Animation Working Group

This group consists of animation companies working in the commercial sector. It discusses and addresses issues specific to this branch of animation, such as terms of trade, contracts and codes of practice.

Feature Animation Working Group

Feature animation is a sector which has poor visibility in the UK. Productions usually claim the film tax credit, so any data for the sector is aggregated with live action productions. This group seeks to raise the profile of feature animation and show that the UK is an international player in this sector.

Ad hoc single issue groups

We set up bespoke groups to look at discreet burning topics that may crop up from time to time. In the past these issues have included Soho planning and street access, and other local concerns.

Currently we have an ad hoc group on commercials delivery liaising with Clearcast.

If your particular interest is not served by any of these groups, then please let us know. It may be that others may share similar viewpoints and we can start a new special interest working group.

The economic value of the UK’s VFX sector

The economic value of VFX in the UK is measured periodically in the BFI’s Screen Business report. This was published in 2021 and covered data from 2017, 2018 and 2019. The previous version of Screen Business was published in 2018 and featured 2016’s data. The latest report also updates 2016’s data. The data presented on this page is drawn from the 2021 report.

UK Screen Alliance is part of the steering group for the Screen Business report.

The primary purpose of the report is provide the evidence of the return on investment generated by the Screen sector tax reliefs necessary to ensure continued government support for these incentives. The data in the latest report provides a benchmark for the level of pre-pandemic activity in the industry. The report shows that every £1 of film tax relief generated £8.30 of value for the UK economy and each £1 of high-end TV relief returned £6.44 of value.

Even though VFX does not have a specific tax credit in the UK to incentivise inward investment, it can be an eligible expense within claims for the Film Tax Relief (FTR) or High End TV Tax Relief (HETR), Animation Tax Relief (ATR) or Children’s TV Tax Relief (CTR).

The BFi’s remit does not extend to commercials and other non-film/TV work but Screen Business does estimate the whole size of the VFX market whether or not its was work supported by the Screen Sector tax reliefs.

From a combined UK VFX spend during 2019 of £710m for tax relief related activity and non-tax relief related work, such as advertising, the report estimates that the sector contributed £1.68bn in GVA to the UK economy and supported 27,430 jobs. This is known to be an under estimate as the analysis of spill-over impacts attributable to advertising and brand promotion work, which creates considerable value through increased sales of the advertised goods and services, was outside the scope of the report.

The overall UK VFX workforce was estimated at 10,680 FTE (full time equivalents), of which 5,470 were employed on tax relief related work. These jobs generate high productivity, delivering £89,743 of GVA per FTE, which is £23,643 more per person than the average for the whole UK economy.

In 2019, an estimated £363.5 million was spent on VFX services in the UK for projects claiming FTR, HETR, ATR and CTR. This was up from £239.8m in 2016; a growth of 51.6%.

Overall production spending via the FTR rose by 7.6% between 2016 and 2019 but the VFX portion of FTR spending rose by 42% over the same period, to reach £309m in 2019, which is 15.3% of the total FTR supported spending.

There has been strong global growth in HETV production driven by the streaming video providers and overall the UK has seen HETV production spend grow by 113% from £977.2m in 2016 to £2078.3m in 2019. The VFX spend in the UK claiming HETR, mirrors this increase and has risen by 131% since 2016 and stood at £50.9m in 2019. However this represents just 2.5% of the total HETR claimed in that year.