UK Screen Alliance, Animation UK unveil outstanding contribution award winners

The Awards from the organisations representing the UK’s VFX, post and animation industries were handed out at the ceremony to mark the 20th anniversary of the UK Screen Alliance.

The Outstanding Contribution to Visual Effects category, sponsored by Tysers Live, was won by Sara Bennett of Milk VFX. The nominators noted her “exceptional ability to seamlessly blend artistry and technology, to create awe-inspiring visual effects that enhance the storytelling process. They also said she has been “a huge champion for diversity in her company, as well as an inspiration to the wider VFX community.”

In the Outstanding Contribution to Animation category, sponsored by Percy & Warren, Oli Hyatt from Blue Zoo won the award. The nominators remarked that Hyatt’s “bold and innovative voice has been an influential and disruptive force for good in animation and children’s education, not just in the UK, but across the world.”

In the Outstanding Contribution to Post-Production category, sponsored by Tysers Live, Natascha Cadle and Dave Cadle from Envy Post Production won the award. The nominators praised the duo for the way they “continuously inspired the post landscape, through their high levels of customer service and devotion to the development of diverse talent through their own internal academy, which has launched the careers of hundreds of young people.”

In the Outstanding Contribution to Skills Development category, sponsored by LucidLink, Amy Smith from Framestore won the award. The nominators highlighted her “commitment as a leader in shaping the skills landscape and commended her for being a true ambassador for the sector in terms of outreach, to ensure that anyone, whatever their circumstances or background, could have an opportunity to enter, train and progress to a rewarding career.”

The award for Outstanding Contribution to Diversity and Inclusion, sponsored by Simons Muirhead Burton, was won by Phil Attfield from NextGen Skills Academy. The nominators praised how Attfield “has tirelessly worked towards implementing new pathways into the creative industries, to promote diversity and inclusion by breaking down the barriers that hinder disadvantaged groups.”