Organizer Information
FLAMIN Animations is delivered by the Film London Artists’ Moving Image Network (FLAMIN), a dedicated initiative supporting artists working in film, video, and experimental moving image practices across the United Kingdom. Film London is the capital’s strategic agency for film and media, with a strong focus on developing inclusive pathways for underrepresented artists within the screen and contemporary art sectors.
Now in its sixth edition, FLAMIN Animations operates as a commissioning and professional development programme specifically designed to support early-career artists entering the field of animation. The programme is delivered in partnership with Blinkink, a London-based, award-winning animation studio known for its innovative and commercially acclaimed animation production. This collaboration ensures that selected artists receive both institutional support and high-level industry mentorship throughout the production cycle.
The programme is also embedded within Film London’s wider commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, responding directly to the systemic underrepresentation of global majority artists within animation, film, and visual arts industries. It has established itself as a key entry point for artists seeking to transition into professional Moving Image practice through funded production and structured mentorship.
Title & Description
FLAMIN Animations 2026–2027 Open Call
FLAMIN Animations is a commissioning programme supporting early-career Black and global majority artists to develop and produce a new short animated film. The programme provides both financial support and intensive professional mentorship, enabling artists to create an original Animation work for public exhibition and festival circulation.
Selected artists will each develop a 3-minute animated film over a 10-month production period, supported by the FLAMIN team and Blinkink animation directors. The programme is designed to nurture experimental and innovative approaches to animation, encouraging artists to explore diverse techniques such as hand-drawn animation, CGI, stop motion, and hybrid forms.
The initiative not only funds production but also provides structured career development, including masterclasses, distribution guidance, and one-to-one mentorship. Completed works are often showcased at international festivals and major art institutions, positioning participants within global contemporary Film and animation circuits.
By supporting early-career practitioners, the programme aims to expand access to professional animation networks while strengthening representation of global majority voices in contemporary screen culture.
Categories
- Animation
- Moving Image
- Video / Film
- Digital Art
- Experimental Film
- Short Film Production
- Visual Arts
- Multimedia
Eligibility
- Open to artists who identify as Black and the global majority (African, Asian, Indigenous, Latin American, or mixed-heritage backgrounds)
- Applicants must be based in England
- Early-career artists only
- Current students are not eligible
- No formal training in animation or art is required
- Open to individual artists or collaborative partnerships
- Applicants must be able to attend in-person masterclasses in London (travel support available for those outside London)
Program Benefits & Awards
- Production funding of £3,500 for a new 3-minute animated film
- Includes £500 allocation for additional production support (e.g. compositing, colour, or technical assistance)
- Dedicated mentorship from Blinkink animation directors
- Development and production support from the FLAMIN team
- Access to professional masterclasses with leading animation and film practitioners
- Industry guidance on distribution and festival strategy
- Inclusion in the FLAMIN alumni network and ongoing career development support
- Opportunity for international festival screenings (previous works shown at Annecy, London International Animation Festival, Edinburgh International Film Festival, BFI Southbank, and more)
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- Artist statement (up to 300 words or 2-minute audio/video)
- Description of animation practice, themes, and influences
- Project proposal for a 3-minute animated film (up to 300 words or 2-minute audio/video)
- CV (optional but recommended)
- Up to two examples of previous animation work (video links)
- Optional portfolio PDF (max 10 pages, 10MB) including sketches, storyboards, tests, or visual research
- Equal Opportunities form (submitted separately)
Alternative formats (audio/video applications) are accepted to improve accessibility.
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 25 May 2026
- Interviews: Week commencing 29 June 2026
- Programme Start: July 2026
- Production Period: 10 months (July 2026 – May 2027)
- Final Delivery Deadline: End of May 2027
Location
London, United Kingdom
Additional Details
- The programme strongly prioritises diversity, equity, and inclusion (EDI)
- Focus on supporting underrepresented global majority artists in the animation and film industries
- Projects must be feasible as a 3-minute animated short for adult audiences
- Strong emphasis on originality, experimentation, and independent production capability
- Accessibility support available, including application assistance and funding for access workers (up to £200)
- Selected works are expected to circulate through international festivals and institutional screenings
- The programme functions as both a commissioning scheme and a professional career entry point into the moving image sector