DA703 Starts on Monday 3 April 2023

Quadruped animation by BNU graduate Amedeo Beretta

Module DA703 - Animals and Creatures - starts on Monday 3rd April 2023, and is the third module tackled by our students on our Online MA in Animation.

DA703 focuses on animal and creature animation, with an emphasis on the kind of photo-realistic animation in which London VFX houses such as Framestore, MPC and DNeg specialise.  DA703 PR1 is due on Friday 2nd June 2023 at 2pm.

"Artifact" Wins "Golden Merlion Award"

Congratulations to BNU Animation student Kristis Bandzevicius whose animated short "Artifact" has won a Certificate of Achievement at the World Film Carnival Singapore Golden Merlion Awards. 

"Artifact" is an animated short film written, produced and directed by Kristis, studying at BNU for his MA in 3D Animation.   

"Artifact" was created as part of the final module of the Master's Degree in 3D Animation at BNU, Module DA704, which involves the creation of a final project and demo reel. 

Artifact is the story of a lonely robot in a desolate world, searching for signs of life.

This is the latest of many festival awards for Artifact. 

UCAS Now Open for 2023

UCAS - now open

If you're thinking of applying to Bucks to study on our BA in Animation, the official UCAS application system is now open.  Applications for our undergraduate courses are due by 25th January 2022, but MA applications can be made at any time. However it's always a good idea to get your application in early.

Young Cartoonist of the Year Competition 2022

The Young Cartoonists of the Year Competition is back. This year the deadline for submissions is 22 January 2023.

Hosted by the Cartoon Museum in London, the annual competition seeks to reward rising cartoon talent. 

Judges include Martin Rowson (The Guardian), Christian Adams (Evening Standard), Banx (FT), Peter Brookes (The Times), Nick Newman (Private Eye), and Matt Pritchard from the Daily Telegraph.  Entry is free. 

Entries can be mailed in (via old school Royal Mail) to the Cartoon Museum,  at 63 Wells St, London W1T 3PT, or emailed to hello@cartoonmuseum.org.

As always, we encourage all our students at BNU to enter competitions such as this one. 

How to Get Started in Animation

Animation Studio by Helen Piercy

One question we often get asked at BNU is this "My child loves animation - what subject should they study at school?".

And also - "how can I teach my child animation?".

Parents tell me that their 13-year old is really into animation, but doesn't know what they should do to realise that goal.

Today, animation is a mix of art and technology.  So, art subjects, such as Art GCSE or Art A level, will help, as will tech subjects, such as IT or computer studies.

Julien Rashti Animator at MPC

Julien Rashti

Congratulations to BNU graduate Julien Rashti, who is working as an animator at MPC, one of the UK's leading animation and VFX houses, responsible for hits such as "Jungle Book" and "the Lion King".


Julien took our MA in 3D Animation at Bucks, graduating in 2018.  Since then he has worked on animated film such as Disenchanted, Pinocchio, and the forthcoming Snow White - due out in 2024. 

While at BNU Julien learned the art and craft of character and creature animation, polishing his demo reel and preparing himself for a career in industry. 

"Mouse: Impossible" Wins "Best Super Short"

"Best Super Short" at the Future of Film Awards

Congratulations to BNU animation student Robin Herrmann, whose short film "Mouse: Impossible" has won "Best Super Short Film" at the Future of Film Awards.

"Mouse: Impossible" was written, produced and directed by Robin, currently studying for his MA in 3D Animation at Bucks.   

"Mouse: Impossible"  was completed during the course of Robin's studies at BNU; this is the film's fourth festival award.

Should BNU Graduates Work as Runners?

Running - is it just about making coffee?

Should our animation graduates work as runners? Working as a runner is a standard entry-level position in our industry, but is it really necessary?  And should our students and graduates do it - or perhaps hold out for a more creative entry-level role?

Here at BNU we support our students who take running positions.  Running isn't glamorous, but it can - and often does - lead to better things.  

Hang in there, put up with a bit of drudgery, and it can pay big dividends. 

Return of Graduation Day at BNU

Graduation Day at BNU

Graduation Day is back! After a long hiatus, in-person graduation has returned  to High Wycombe, at long last.  

Graduation Day for our animation graduates took place at Bucks last week from 5-9th September 2022.

Last week we welcomed our newest animation graduates to come and celebrate their achievement.

BNU Aid Film "Best Micro Film" Golden Eagle Fest

"Best Micro Short" at Golden Eagle Indie Film Festival

Congratulations to the makers of the short film "What is Wrong With The Global Development Organisation?" which has won "Best Micro Short" film at the Golden Eagle Indie Film Festival.

Directed by Monika Dzikowicz, the two minute micro-documentary tells the story of an aid organisation which has lost sight of its founding principles.  It was made under the aegis of Nano Films, our film co-operative. 

MA animation Joining Instructions Sept 2022

It will soon be time for our new MA Animation students at Bucks to get started, with formal teaching beginning on 26 September 2022.  

Below are some Joining Instructions for our students starting with us on the Online MA in 3D Animation.

"Float Folks" Wins Best Trailer at WIFA

"Best Trailer" at the World International Film Festival

Congratulations to the makers of "The Float Folks", the short teaser/trailer made at BNU by our animation students, which has won "Best Trailer" at the World International Film Awards.

The Float Folks is a trailer for an animated TV Series created by Ian Foyle and directed by Monika Dzikowicz.  The Float Folks has won many festival awards.

"Journey of Life" Wins "Best Micro Short" Award

Many congratulations to BNU student Robin Herrmann whose short film "Journey of Life" has won award for Best Micro Short at Dreamachine International Film Festival.

"Journey of Life" was written, produced and directed by Robin, currently studying for his MA in 3D Animation at Buckinghamshire New University.   

"Journey of Life" has won many festival awards. 

Young Animator of The Year Competition

Young Animator of the Year Competition

There is still time to enter the Young Animator of the Year Competition.  The Competition, created by Access VFX and supported by Screen Skills, BAFTA and the BAA Awards, is judged by professional animators.

Entry must be completed by September 4th. You can find more about it here: https://younganimator.uk/competition #animation #YAYUK

Last Call for Our Online MA in Animation

Sci-Fi scene by Joe Gamble

Last call for our online MA in Animation  recruiting for September 2022.

Our online MA in animation was launched in 2015 and was the very first of its kind - the first online MA in animation which could be undertaken by students anywhere in the world. 

The MA in animation partners with the online animation school www.animationapprentice.org

"Mouse: Impossible" Wins "Best Super Short"

Congratulations to BNU animation student Robin Herrmann, whose short film "Mouse: Impossible" has won "Best Super Short Film" at the London Movie Awards.

"Mouse: Impossible" was written, produced and directed by Robin, currently studying for his MA in 3D Animation at Bucks.   

"Mouse: Impossible"  was completed during the course of Robin's studies at BNU; this is the film's fourth festival award.

"Float Folks" Wins Best Trailer at Onyko Film Fest

The Float Folks Best Trailer at Onyko Awards

Congratulations to the makers of "The Float Folks", the short teaser/trailer made at BNU by our animation students, which has won "Best Trailer" at the Onyko Film Festival.

The Float Folks is a trailer for an animated TV Series created by Ian Foyle and directed by Monika Dzikowicz.  The Float Folks has won many festival awards.

Artifact Wins Best Sci-Fi at Future of Film Awards

"Artifact" wins Best Sci-Fi at FOFA

Congratulations to BNU animation student Kristis Bandzevicius whose animated short "Artifact" has won "Best Sci-Fi" at the Future of Film Awards.

"Artifact" is a short film created by BNU animation student Kristis Bandzevicius.   "Artifact" was written, produced and directed by Kristis, studying for his MA in 3D Animation at BNU.   This is the film's sixth festival award. 

DA702 Character Performance Starts 9 Jan 2023

11 Second Club winning entry by Robin Herrmann

DA702, the second animation module on our online masters' degree in 3D animation, starts on 9 January 2023.

The module is titled DA702 - Character Performance, and builds up to an entry into the March 2023 Eleven Second Club competition.  

On March 1st 2022 the club's official line of dialogue will be released, and our students have until the end of March to submit their finished work.  DA702 PR1 assignment is due on Thursday 30th March 2023 at 2pm.

"Mouse: Impossible" Wins "Best Creative"

Mouse: Impossible Best Creative at Halicarnassus

Congratulations to BNU animation student Robin Herrmann, whose short film "Mouse: Impossible" has won an award for Best Creative at the Halicarnassus Film Festival.

"Mouse: Impossible" was written, produced and directed by Robin, currently studying for his MA in 3D Animation at Bucks.   

"Mouse: Impossible"  was completed during the course of Robin's studies at BNU; this is the film's third festival award.

DA701 Locomotion & Mechanics Starts 26 Sept

"Journey of Life" by Robin Herrmann

DA701 Animation Mechanics is the first module that our new MA animation students will encounter at Bucks.

DA701 starts on 26 September 2022, and is taught primarily in Autodesk Maya. The module deals with animation basics, such as locomotion and mechanics.

It starts with simple actions such as a bouncing ball, and builds up to more complex physical actions, such as jumps and throws. There are two assignments due: DA701 PR1, and DA701 CW1. DA701 PR1 is due on Friday 9th December at 2pm.