Backed by Creative Skillset, the five day course will take place during the 18th edition of the festival in September.

Encounters Short Film and Animation Festival is launching a new training initiative backed by the Creative Skillset Film Skills Fund.

The five day residential course is aimed at developing business, entrepreneurial and creative sills in animation production. It will explore traditional methods and practices with a focus on challenging contemporary production issues with multi-platform, digital and 3D technologies.

The course, which is also run in partnership with the University of the West of England and Aardman Animations, will take place September 17 – 21 during the 18th edition of the Encounters Film Festival. This year is the festival’s first year in its new September slot, having moved from November.

It is designed for established producers and animation professionals wishing to change career into animation production.

Animated Encounters programme manager Kieran Argo said: “This course responds to a continuing need within the animation industry for production training, and is a valuable opportunity with tangible benefits for both aspiring and established professionals.”

Dan Simmons, head of film at Creative Skillset, added, “The UK’s animation industry has a world class reputation, and the proposed tax incentive for animation will create the opportunity for significant growth, increasing the demand for skills in this sector.”