MetStudios Sponsors Brighton International Animation Festival 2025

In April, MetStudios proudly sponsored the fourth edition of the Brighton International Animation Festival (BIAF), a standout event in the UK’s independent animation calendar.

Held over three days at Fabrica, the festival brought together artists, animators, and audiences for a packed programme of screenings, talks, workshops and networking, all delivered with the trademark energy and inclusivity that BIAF is known for.

This year’s festival featured over 130 animated short films from more than 30 countries, including the UK, Germany, France, Colombia, South Korea, the US, India and Australia. The weekend hosted 10 themed screening programmes, including New Generation, Fantastical Worlds, Queer as F++K, The Female Gaze, and Sound & Vision, with almost all the screenings sold out in advance.

“This year, the fourth edition was bigger and better than ever,” said BIAF founder Kate Jessop.“We had projection mapping, more augmented reality across the exhibition and even on the festival team’s attire, and 50 attending filmmakers and artists from all over the world.”

Read more: Interview with Kate Jessop, Founder of BIAF

What makes BIAF especially valuable – and why it aligns so strongly with MetStudios’ values- is its commitment to accessibility and education. Every screening was subtitled for D/deaf and hard-of-hearing audiences, and a BSL interpreter was present at all events. The festival creates an open space for both established animators and newcomers to explore the artform, whether for the first time or as part of their professional journey.

One of the highlights was the Painting on Glass animation workshop, led by BAFTA-nominated artist Oscar Wyndham Lewis. Participants created their own frame-by-frame animations using oil paint, with the option to have their work included in a future collaborative film. It was a brilliant example of how festivals like this offer real, hands-on creative opportunities alongside screenings.

BIAF also provided room for industry insight. A talk from Brighton Zoo, the studio behind Supertato, and Tee and Mo, looked at the realities of kids’ TV production and what it means to build an animation career outside London.

At MetStudios, we’re committed to supporting events that champion creativity, community, and practical experience. Seeing our students engage with work from around the world, connect with guest filmmakers, and leave inspired by what animation can achieve was a real highlight.

Huge thanks to the organisers, artists, and audiences who made BIAF 2025 such a success, and congratulations to all the filmmakers whose work was featured or recognised. We’re looking forward to next year’s amazing festival.