Aardman Academy

Aardman Academy From Morph to Chicken Run, we've been crafting world-renowned stories since 1976 and training world-class animators since 2000.

08/10/2026

We are thrilled to be a part of this partnership with The Royal College of Art for the new MFA programme. Students will split their time between two centres of excellence, spending three terms immersed in the RCA’s practice-based, academically grounded London studios, and two terms in a professional residency at Aardman’s world-renowned facilities in Bristol.

30/09/2026

Animate Morph in the studio where he was made, taught by the people who made him. Five weeks, one ball of clay, and your own short film on the big screen.

Over five weeks you'll learn the craft from the animators who defined it: sculpting to camera, timing and spacing, performance, sound and comedy. You'll animate Morph, the character who started it all, and finish with a 60 to 90 second film you devised yourself.

Every week includes 1:1 check-ins, peer review and masterclasses from Aardman crew. You're not in a classroom. You're working in a live studio.

We’ve had such a wonderful time at Encounters Film Festival 2026! A huge thank you to everyone who joined us over the pa...
28/09/2026

We’ve had such a wonderful time at Encounters Film Festival 2026!

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us over the past two days. It was fantastic to meet so many of you, chat about the Academy, and answer your questions.

A special thank you to our Director, Mark Simon Hewis and Jay Clarke, for taking to the stage and sharing their expertise, and to Isabella Coombes for helping make everything run so smoothly behind the scenes for us!

Thank you to everyone who came along — it’s been a pleasure being part of such a brilliant festival!

12/09/2026

Things in Aardman Academy that just make sense (pt. 1)

04/09/2026

For 50 years, Aardman has been bringing stories, characters and worlds to life through the magic of animation. And for 25 of those years, Aardman Academy has been helping the next generation of animators, filmmakers and storytellers do the same.

From learning the craft to creating their own characters, films and puppets, thousands of students have been part of the Academy journey — and we couldn’t be prouder to be part of Aardman’s story. As an extra celebration witness the video that took Annecy by storm.

Here’s to 50 years of Aardman, 25 years of Aardman Academy, and the many stories still to come. 🐑❤️

28/08/2026

by Brian Horgan from CG Foundation.

26/08/2026

No mouth shapes were damaged in the making of this video…

We delve into the Aardman Archives to show you the original screen used Rex the Runt puppets from the 1991 tv show Rex the Runt created by Richard Starzark.

17/08/2026

A brand new 5-week course focusing on the craft skills of clay animation taught by the people who helped define technique.

Held at Aardman Studios, Bristol.
16th November - 17th December 2026

Focusing on:
* Sculpting with Clay
* Character Design
* Understanding Puppet Construction and Rigging
* Character Performance
* Working with Film/Shooting Blind
* Understanding Rig removal
* and more…

Find out course structure and additional benefits on our website.
Apply today

Animation:

17/04/2026

Will’s back, and he’s brought along a very special guest… Morph! They’re here to show us all the essential tools every animator needs!

For Aardman the best tools on hand are YOUR HANDS… but it’s always nice to have things to help make animatings a little bit easier.

Colourscript and backgrounds by
02/03/2026

Colourscript and backgrounds by

Address

Bristol

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 6pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 6pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 6pm
Thursday 8:30am - 6pm
Friday 8:30am - 6pm
Saturday 8:30am - 6pm
Sunday 8:30am - 6pm

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