Inviting entries from all those with a passion for animation – whether students, freelancers or established companies – Variety had launched an ‘animation competition’ for participants to pitch their ideas for an animation video to highlight the work that Variety does on a daily basis to support sick, disabled and disadvantaged children throughout the UK.

To create this animation, and against very stiff competition, the judges Rod Natkiel (Variety’s Chair of MarComms and of this project), Lord David Puttnam, Trevor Green (former Chief Barker and Co-Managing Director of Entertainment Films), Jason Lewis (Chief Barker 2015) and Pamela Sinclair (Chief Barker 2016) selected Just Anim8, a creative media studio based in Leicester. It has a passion for storytelling, developing concepts that range from nurturing, quirky and fun to simply outrageous, and creating adventurous worlds for a diverse range of characters.

Just Anim8 won the prize of £1,000 generously donated by a sponsor within the film industry, and the animation video was premiered at the annual ‘Variety Christmas Lunch’ at the Hilton, Park Lane on 13th December 2016.

Rod Natkiel said:

“Variety, the Children’s Charity, has a long and proud heritage in the film and entertainment industry, and so an animation short is a really appropriate way to spread the charity’s message. We were looking for animators who could tell our story in the most imaginative way possible, bringing fresh ideas to engage with audiences of all ages and create a short every bit as exciting as the work we do. Just Anim8 fulfilled those criteria and we are absolutely delighted with the results. Additionally, and importantly, it has been a pleasure working with them.”

Seymour Lavine, Director of Justanim8 said:

“Creating the animation for Variety, the Children’s Charity, was an amazing and rewarding experience. Their team was a delight to work with, and we really got to know the children’s charity and its mission very well. Since the aim of the children’s charity was to create awareness of the charity’s past, present and future potential using animation, we thought it would look really captivating and engaging if the visuals and movement resembled young children’s drawings. We look forward to working with Variety, the Children’s Charity, again in the future.”