'Shaun the Sheep Movie 2' is a Go

Aardman has announced via its official website that a sequel to the great Shaun the Sheep Movie is on its way. Richard Starzak, which was one of the directors of the first film with Mark Burton, will be back at the helm.

The 5th A113Animation Awards Results

There were quite a few good animated films in 2015 - some excellent even; but it seems like one in particular was above average. Without further ado, here are our picks for the 5th edition of the A113Animation Awards (the winners are in gold, and there is a breakdown of the results at the bottom of the post)!

The 5th A113Animation Awards Nominations

After one year off, the A113Animation Awards are back! These are our 5th Awards, and we are following the same formula established in the previous years; a few things have changed, though: we're introducing a Best Writing Award, and we've let go of the Ben Kerfoot Award.
Unlike for the past editions, William won't be picking the winners; I (Damien) will, according to my personal taste and based on the films I've seen. Of course William will also choose his favourite 2015 animated film, as will Munir.
The winners will be announced on Saturday 30th January.

2016 Oscars: The Animation Nominees

The nominees for the 88th Academy Awards are in! See which animated films (feature-length and short) got a nod from the Oscars after the break.

Aardman is Producing a 'Shaun the Sheep' Special

Following the critical success of the Shaun the Sheep Movie earlier this year, Aardman announced via the official Shaun the Sheep website, that they are currently working on a 30-minute special based on the Shaun characters.

'Shaun the Sheep Movie' Review: You Should Flock to See It

Following The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists (2012), Shaun the Sheep Movie - written and directed by Richard Starzak and Mark Burton - is the latest Aardman Studios production. Shaun first appeared in the Wallace and Gromit short A Close Shave (1995), and got his own TV show in 2007 (which is still ongoing). This is is first feature film. Do the Aardman crew deliver once again? The answer is a resounding 'Yes!' - Find out why below.

Watch: First Trailer for Aardman's Shaun the Sheep Movie

The teaser trailer for Aardman's sixth feature film, Shaun the Sheep Movie, has made its way online. And, un-shockingly, it looks great! Check out the baa-rilliant trailer below.

Aardman News: Shaun the Sheep Movie Coming March 2015

Aardman announced, back in April, that their next film would be a feature adaptation of their Shaun the Sheep TV series, and that the film would be released in 2015. Richard "Golly" Starzak (who's directing the film with Mark Burton) announced on Twitter that the film is now set to bow on 20th March, 2015.

Introducing the A113Animation Podcast! - Pilot Episode Online Now

As part of our expansion, we're very pleased to introduce you to the first episode of the A113Animation Podcast! This possibly-sort-of-regular podcast will cover recent animation news, play clips of interviews we carry out, and review the latest releases: this time, it's Iron Man 3.

The episode is available now on Podomatic (below) for either streaming or download, and you can follow us on that site here; you can download the show on iTunes here, and please do subscribe and rate; we're also on Stitcher Radio (a player for that is embedded below too). Check out the episode and its extensive show notes below!

Aardman News 13 - Shaun the Sheep Movie Details

Aardman have announced a partnership with producer-financer StudioCanal to craft the feature film debut of Shaun the Sheep. Shaun first appeared in the Oscar-winning Wallace and Gromit short, A Close Shave, and has since starred in his own, very popular, kids' TV series.

The good news for Aardman fans is that, much like their most recent hit, The Pirates! in an Adventure with Scientists, Shaun the Sheep will be animated in Aardman's trademark claymation style. It's being written and directed by Aardman veterans Mark Burton and Richard "Golly" Starzak. Golly directed two series of Creature Comforts, as well developing and co-directing the Shaun the Sheep TV series; Burton worked on Chicken Run.

Aardman News 11 - 'Tis The Season for Get Togethers

It's been far too long since we've had an Aardman News post and what better time to do it than Christmastime? You love Wallace and Gromit right? How about Chicken Run? And Creature Comforts and Shaun the Sheep too? Shame we never get to see them all together and interacting. Oh well, we can't have it all... What? What's that you say Aardman? We can have it all? Hooray! Thanks Aardman!

Check out this cool little semi-promo for Google+, showing Aardman's stop-mo pantheon video calling each other this festive season. It seems The Pirate Captain hasn't quite got round to web-cam just yet. We can only hope he's working on some For Your Consideration ads instead.

Check out the charming and fun video above and, UK readers, get ready to check out any and all Wallace and Gromit shorts on the BBC in the next couple of weeks!

A Trip to the Wallace and Gromit Exhibit at the LIFE Science Centre - A Grand Day Out!

The replica of Wallace and Gromit's home which houses the exhibit.

On Sunday, I had the opportunity to visit the Wallace and Gromit: A World of Cracking Ideas exhibit at the LIFE Science Centre in Newcastle. The exhibit has been open for the past five months or so and is open until the 31st October and it was fantastic.

Me standing in the doorway of 62 West Wallaby Street.

The exhibit, running to promote the Intellectual Property Office and to encourage young inventors to create some "Cracking Ideas" features everything from a full sized replica of the famous duos house at 62 West Wallaby Street, to working inventions like the Hat Barometer to actual props from the Wallace and Gromit films!

Left - Everyone's favourite sheep, Shaun the Sheep. Right - Me with Shaun

Left - Wallace andc Gromit's famed garden. Right - Me crouching by the duo's garage.

Left - Wallace's broom prop from A Matter of Loaf and Death. Right - Record props from A Matter of Load and Death.

Left - The actual Gromit's Greenhouse set from the 2005 Best Animated Film Academy Award winning, Wallace and Gromit: Curse of the Were-Rabbit. Right - Wallace and Gromit's Living Room from A Matter of Loaf and Death.

Without a doubt, one of the highlights of the exhibit (and indeed of the past few months for me) was seeing actual sets used in the Wallace and Gromit films, including ones from 2005's Curse of the Were-Rabbit; it was unbelievable.

Left - The set of Wallace and Gromit's Dining Room from A Matter of Loaf and Death. Right - The set of the Italian Restaurant from A Matter of Loaf and Death.

Left - A set of Wallace and Gromit's Kitchen. Right - A birdseye view of the famed pair's Living Room.

Left - A painting of a young Wallace and Gromit adorning one of the walls in the exhibit. Right - a replica of the stairs down to the house's basement.

Left - A collection of Wallace and Gromit memorabilia I picked up at the exhibit. Right - Me posing in my Mickey Mouse T-Shirt and Google hoodie with Aardman's iconic pair.

Overall, this exhibit was brilliant, a collection of the kind of stuff Aardman and Wallace and Gromit fans dream of, and I would encourage anyone and everyone who can to head to LIFE in Newcastle to visit before the exhibit ends in October. The exhibit would be a fantastic visit for young children, although it is perhaps those of us who have dedicated so much to the brilliant films that will enjoy it more.

To see times and more details visit this website, I would definitely recommend the exhibit as I had A Grand Day Out!