20 USW graduates recognised for their work on BAFTA and Oscar nominated films

Graduates from Animation and Design courses at the University of South Wales have worked on some of this year’s biggest box office hits, listed among the BAFTA and Oscar nominations for 2024.

A total of 20 USW alumni have worked on films such as Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, Chicken Run 2: Dawn of the Nugget, Wonka, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3 and many more.

Jakub Kupcik, who graduated in 2018 from BA (Hons) Computer Animation, was Senior Lighting Artist on Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, which is up for Best Animated Film at the BAFTAs and Best Animated Feature Film at the Oscars.

Joseph Lewis, who graduated from BA (Hons) Computer Animation in 2009, was Animator on the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, which is up for an Oscar for Best Visual Effects. Joseph was also Lead Animator on Wonka, which is up for Outstanding British Film at the BAFTAs.

Matt Jones, who graduated in 1996 from BA (Hons) Animation, was a Storyboard Artist on Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, as well as Chicken Run 2: Dawn of the Nugget, which is another contender for Best Animated Film at the BAFTAs.

Among the 17 graduates who worked on Chicken Run 2: Dawn of the Nugget are:

• Mathew Rees (BA (Hons) Computer Animation, 2001) – CG Animation Supervisor
• Tim Allen (BA (Hons) Animation, 1998) – Stop-Motion Animator
• Jody Meredith (BA (Hons) Animation, 1995) – Stop-Motion Animator
• Jack Slade (BA (Hons) Animation, 1995) – Senior Puppetmaker & Sculptor
• Alison Evans (BA (Hons) Animation, 1996) – Stop-Motion Animator
• Jason Comley (BA (Hons) Animation, 2002) – Stop-Motion Animator
• Rhodri Lovett (BA (Hons) Animation, 2004) – Lead Character Animator
• Ed Jackson (BA (Hons) Animation, 2004) – Stop-motion Animator
• Lee Bowditch (BA (Hons) Computer Animation, 2008) – CG Modeller
• Paul Thomas (BA (Hons) Animation, 2008) – Stop Motion Animator
• Oliver Geen (BA (Hons) Animation, 2008) – Senior Set Dresser
• Phil Davies (BA (Hons) Animation, 2008) – Set Dresser
• James Carlisle (BA (Hons) Animation, 2014) – Stop Motion Animator
• Sean Gregory (BA (Hons) Animation, 2014) – Lead Character Animator
• Saeed Ahmed (BA (Hons) Animation, 2015) – Puppetmaker
• Grace Mahony (BA (Hons) TV and Film Set Design, 2016) – Assistant Art Director

As well as the BAFTA and Oscar nominations, graduates were recognised in the shortlists for the Annie Awards – honouring excellence in the field of animation – and the Visual Effects Society (VES) awards.

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is up for five Annie Awards; Best Feature, Best Effects, Character Design, Direction and Production Design – as well as four VES awards; Outstanding Compositing and Lighting, Visual Effects, Created Environment and Virtual Cinematography.

The Inventor, which Matt Jones was a Storyboard Artist on, is up for the Annie Award for Best Independent Feature, while Chicken Run 2: Dawn of the Nugget is up for Best Effects and Best Storyboarding in the Annie Awards, and the VES Award for Outstanding Visual Effects in an Animated Feature.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is nominated for the Annie Award for Best Character Animation – Live Action, as well as two VES awards; Outstanding Visual Effects and Outstanding Animated Character in a Photoreal Feature.

The Little Mermaid which is also on the Annie Awards shortlist for Best Character Animation – Live Action, while Wonka is among the nominees for the VES Award for Outstanding Animated Character in a Photoreal Feature.

The Hounds of Annwn, directed and animated by Beth Hughes who graduated from BA (Hons) Animation in 2010, has received the Audience Screening Award in this year’s British Animation Awards.

Adam Williams, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Business and Creative Industries at USW, said: “It is wonderful to see so many of our graduates featured at the highest levels in the industry, on such a globally-recognised roll call of achievement. Their creativity and professionalism is testament to the talent and opportunities nurtured during their studies here at USW.”

The 2024 BAFTAs will take place on Sunday 18 February in London.

Final Oscar voting begins on 22 February and ends on 27 February 2024, with the 96th Annual Academy Awards ceremony taking place on Sunday 10 March in Los Angeles.