Grant awarded to: Gabi Bania
Ymddiried’s Contribution: £2,900
Thanks to the wonderful help of Ymddiried: Media Grants Cymru, which supported me with a £2,500.00 scholarship I was able to take up an MA Animation course at the University of South Wales.. The further £400.00 grant which I received, allowed me to invest in software and tools essential in my work as an independent creator of short, animated films in various techniques.
When I learned about the positive outcome of my application, I felt extremely honoured, empowered and beyond excited. I am grateful to my supporters for enabling me to start the journey of an MA student which made me take a step closer to fulfilling my goal of becoming a professional animation director.
During the course I practiced animation as well as production skills. I not only got more advanced in 3D character performance and 2D design, but I also created my dream film – a stop motion puppet animation “Nibbling of the Night” about female independence, vampires, and addiction to night ‘s gluttony. The film is currently in a successful international festival circuit and has already become a winner of numerous awards including “The Best Animated Film” Award at the “Urbanite Arts & Film Festival” in New York.
The course allowed me to learn from my classmates, develop my identity as a filmmaker and master public speaking. During my time at university, I participated as a speaker director in numerous events, e.g.: “Screenshare” at the Cardiff Animation Festival or “Filmmakers’ Shindig” in Bristol. I also started giving online and in person classes for high school students teaching about animation techniques. Recently I was invited to give a lecture about gothic literature inspirations behind the “Nibbling of the Night”, at the Polish festival of the Romantic era called “Romanticon”.
I was also trained in the field of pitching new projects in concept and forming pitch bibles. I prepared a few bibles of new animated films in shorter and longer formats, and I am hoping to connect with producers now who could advise me on their further development.
As an MA student I had an opportunity to visit studios like A productions in Bristol and talk with its creatives/animators as well as take part in festivals including the VFX Festival in London organised by Escape Studio which gave me an insight into the animation industry. Thanks to the festival I am now a mentee at the ACCESS:VFX program mentored by a Jellyfish senior animator. Throughout the academic year my networking and business skills improved too, making me more confident in my future path of an animation filmmaker.