Metadata: Leeds Animation Workshop Archive
Collection
- Country:
- United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
- Holding institution:
- The University of Leeds Cultural Collections & Galleries
- Holding institution (official language):
- The University of Leeds Cultural Collections & Galleries
- Postal address:
- The Brotherton Library, Woodhouse Ln, Woodhouse, Leeds LS2 9JT
- Phone number:
- 0113 343 5518
- Reference number:
- MS 2267
- Title:
- Leeds Animation Workshop Archive
- Title (official language):
- Leeds Animation Workshop Archive
- Creator/accumulator:
- Leeds Animation Workshop
- Date(s):
- 1972/2020
- Language:
- English
- Extent:
- 41 cubic metres (122 boxes)
- Type of material:
- Textual material
- Graphic material
- Physical condition:
- Good
- Scope and content:
-
The Leeds Animation Workshop (LAW) archive documents the history and workings of Britain’s first all-female led animation collective. The Workshop began in 1978 and is still active, working from a terraced house in the Harehills area of Leeds. The workshop produces films that address various important social issues using animation to tackle sometimes difficult subjects in an approachable way. Topics covered include, among others: racism, sexism, homophobia, inequality in the workplace, global environmental issues and family topics such as grief. They have now produced over 40 animated films. This collection comprises the records created by Leeds Animation Workshop in the course of their filmmaking activities, from 1976 to the present day, which includes: production; distribution; training; and screening.
This archive comprises the following series.
Administration: This series documents the everyday workings of an animation workshop and women's collective. It includes: Financial Records, Funding applications, Meeting minutes, Distribution of LAW films, Other activities such as education and exhibitions.
Film Projects: Files and items relating to the animation process and films. This includes Research files, Film files (these contain papers relating to specific projects such as correspondence financial information and planning documents), Audio Visual materials including 16mm film reels, VHS, DVD and CDs (please note that it may not be possible to access some of these formats due to equipment needs or conservation requirements), Animation artworks including preparatory drawings and sketches, Storyboards and scripts, Dope sheets and dubbing charts, Printed publicity materials such as brochures, VHS covers and flyers.
Networks and Publicity: Files and printed material that demonstrate the networks of organisations that Leeds Animation Workshop existed within and the media presence of the workshop. It includes: Reviews and articles, Files related to allied organisations such as trade unions, Printed material such as film catalogues, film festival programmes and third party publicity.
Of particular interest is a proposal for a short film entitled ‘Kosher Turkey’. This would concern life in Britain as a Jewish woman, examining themes of identity and assimilation. The proposal letter details a broad storyline and suggestions of how it would be animated. Due to budget cuts this proposal was rejected.
- Archival history:
- In summer 2022, the paper records of the Leeds Animation Workshop that had accumulated over its forty-year history, were appraised on site in the offices of the Workshop, in Harehills, Leeds. In October 2022, the appraised selection of material, including all the available physical film files from the office's filing cabinet, were transferred to the Special Collections at the Leeds University Library to be catalogued.
- Administrative/biographical history:
- The Leeds Animation Workshop was established in 1977 by a small group of women. Originally called ‘Nursery Films’ the group aimed to produce a film which could be used to teach child development and social studies in schools. This small community arts project continued to develop after the conclusion of the Nursery Films project in 1978, changing their name to Leeds Animation Workshop and continuing to produce animated media. The Workshop produced and distributed numerous animated films on social and educational issues, gaining funding from institutions such as the British Film Institute (BFI) and Channel 4, allowing them to be shown on national television. The Workshop is still active today, continuing their operations out of Leeds.
- Subject terms:
- Film
- Access, restrictions:
- Some parts of this collection may be restricted due to copyright or data protection laws.
- Yerusha Network member:
- The University of Leeds Cultural Collections & Galleries
- Author of the description:
- Holly Addie, University of Leeds Cultural Collections & Galleries, 2025
