Kirk's big screen debut, Kensuke's Kingdom, co-directed with Neil Boyle, is based on the Michael Morpurgo book of the same name, and starring Cillian Murphy, Sally Hawkins, and Ken Watanabe. Having recently completed its cinema run in the UK, Europe and South America, the film is set for a US premiere this October.

Kirk is a filmmaker who breathes cinematic magic into every project he touches – no matter whether that’s a commercial, music video, short film, or, most recently, a triple British Animation Award-winning feature.

‘Kensuke’s Kingdom’ follows the adventure of Michael, a young boy who washes up on a remote island and must learn to protect its wildlife under the guidance of its only other human inhabitant – the mysterious Japanese World War II veteran, Kensuke. It’s an ecological theme that often crops up in Kirk’s portfolio. “Having lived in cities all my life, some part of my genetic memory rejects all this modernity and concrete and craves natural things.”

Its dreamy vistas have charmed international audiences, plunging them into the depths of its leafy island setting through a blend of classic, hand-drawn animation and modern 3D environments.

By the end of ‘Kensuke’s Kingdom’, the viewer, too, feels the urgent need for conservation, thanks to Kirk and his co-director Neil’s thorough characterisation of each animal species, from the orangutangs right down to the insects. A bug is seen again and again caring painstakingly for her larvae; when the poachers arrive, she and her offspring are crushed underfoot, heartlessly wiped out in one stomp of a boot. “The experiment was, how do you make it so that when the poachers come to take these animals off the island, the audience feels like it's a violation, and it's actually a family being torn apart? When you set those things up and you pay them off later on, it's far more powerful emotionally.”

Dramatic yet subtle, Kirk and Neil convey such messages subliminally and wordlessly. “When we read the screenplay by Frank Cottrell-Boyce, we saw it as a silent film, essentially, which fits right into what we like to do.” Without paragraphs of exposition offering prime time for zoning out, Kirk explains, “you pull the audience in, because they have to work it out as they're watching.”


Practically every detail of the film has been carefully considered, and Kirk and Neil’s efforts have paid off: its first screening brought its most important critic – Sir Michael himself – to happy tears. “He said it's his favourite adaptation, and that now, when he thinks of ‘Kensuke’s Kingdom’, he doesn't think of his book, but of this film. So that's the ultimate tribute.”

At the end of the day, however, it’s when satisfying their own desires as viewers that magic is made. “The films we really appreciated growing up were the ones that didn't talk down to the audience. So when it became our turn to make movies, we wanted to do the same thing for young people and adults. We're just making what we want to see, and there's some universality in that.”

, including the trailer for 'Kensuke's Kingdom', his award winning commercials for ITV's Dancing on Ice, and his previous BFI backed short 'Junk'.

Kirk Hendry Talks Storytelling Instincts and His Debut Feature ‘Kensuke’s Kingdom’

Effie Pappa directs the latest music video - Bad Faith - for Athens-based electronic producer Autow Nite Superstore, channeling the theme of stagnation, struggle and anger in modern life all set to gritty bass... and directed by Effie at eight months pregnant!

The electronic music producer and DJ, Thomas Balogiannis (Autow Nite Superstore), is known for blending bass, grime, techno, and garage, into high-energy dynamic late-night club vibes. “Bad Faith” is the 2nd collaboration since their first music video together.

From Effie: "Autow Nite Superstore’s tracks always manage to grab me and mentally throw me in situations. “Bad Faith” has such a great narrative and despite unveiling a progression, we visually depicted the opposite situation, showing stillness. Thomas (Autow Nite Superstore) had the video idea himself, and it was a great opportunity for me to build around the theme of stagnation in modern life. A forgotten destination, a daily loop of struggling, anger, a group of people sharing the same “Bad Faith” that one day this complex chain system of decay will break, without us stepping out of it.”

Shot during Effie’s eight month of pregnancy, Effie wanted to impress upon other filmmakers in her position to channel the power of pregnancy:

"We shot this two weeks before I was due to pop and I was in my 38th week! Considering I had a healthy pregnancy, I’m happy that I could carry on being active as normal. In fact, pregnancy and early parenthood finds me more inspired and active than ever, having three big projects in development and undergoing scheduled shoots. It’s sad we still had to convince a few agencies that didn’t have trust during this pregnancy journey and like that I added three treatments to the pitching archives, ready to be dusted off in future pitches!"

Autow Nite Superstore's latest tracks are on Gabber Eleganza indie label Never Sleep. His next album, Running Towards The End of The Light, will be released on October 25th. It will come with a deluxe, splattered-vinyl 12” LP.


For more of Effie's work spanning live action, stop frame and 2D animation please view 

Autow Nite Superstore 'Bad Faith' music video directed by Effie Pappa

‘You Got This’. That's the message from adidas and their team GB Olympics film campaign launched at the start of the 2024 Paris Olympics, directed by A.R.C's 

Bringing to life the everyday hurdles faced by Team GB athletes on the precipice of the two greatest weeks of their lives, it brings an upbeat, cinematic touch to overcoming pressure and expectations, set to Queen and David Bowie's legendary anthem 'Under Pressure'. 

The campaign features team GB legends and newcomers alike, from gymnast Max Whitlock, sprinter Zharnel Hughes, skateboarder Lola Tambling, diver Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix and breakdancer Sunni Brummitt. The film campaign has been rolled out as individual 15s films, as well as 30s master cut for TV, cinema, online and socials.

Director’s Alice Gatti & Diego Indraccolo (D I • A L) describe working on the campaign:

"It's quite rare to have the opportunity to sit down with world-class athletes and listen to their unique stories, understanding their individual circumstances, the specific pressures they face and their personal ways of dealing with it all. 

In collaboration with adidas, we strived to infuse the project with authenticity and insightful details. Those initial interviews were pivotal in shaping the stories we wrote and the way we portrayed these athletes. While we took some creative liberties to convey the feeling of pressure within the first few seconds, the core traits of each athlete remain genuine. Their personalities shine through, from their darkest moments to the switch in their minds that lifts them back out and makes them great at what they do. 

Being part of this existing campaign that carefully and positively deals with the psychological aspects of competitive sport has been an honour in itself. Being able to work on the soundtrack of Queen's "Under Pressure" featuring David Bowie was a dream come true."

Directing duo D I • A L conquer pressure with Team GB and adidas ahead of Paris 2024

Renowned photographer Marco Mori shoots A.R.C's latest OOH and digital campaign for Sky Business, alongside our creative agency friends The Croc.

The campaign, "Better Believe It", highlights the support Sky Business offers small businesses around the country, including 24/7 customer support and 4G backup, shot in Marco Mori's trademark textural, authentic reportage style. 

With stills and supporting film content shot over two days around London, the various campaign assets will be rolled out across 2024 nationwide.

Appearing on billboards and digital displays across a UK rollout, including significant digital and social presence too, the intimate, warm photographic execution marks somewhat of a new direction for Sky Business, as they look to expand their signature brand aesthetic at a greater scale.

“No One Can Whistle a Symphony, It Takes an Orchestra to Play It." This adage perfectly captures the collaborative spirit of a successful photoshoot. 

Meticulous planning and seamless teamwork are crucial, with the production company acting as conductor. Reuniting with A Running Commentary, whose calm expertise is invaluable, proved to be another winning formula. Ben and Alex's knack for finding top-tier talent is unmatched, and photographer Marco Mori and his team are exceptional. Behind Marco's seemingly effortless style lies a profound mastery of his craft and an unwavering commitment to perfection. 

Capturing the vibrancy of East London's thriving small business scene, our striking images perfectly align with the Sky brand's positive energy. It’s fair to say The Croc’s first shoot with Sky Business was a resounding success, thanks to a stellar team effort." - Nick Watmough, Creative Director, The Croc

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Sky Business stills campaign x Marco Mori 

The A Running Commentary director shares insights with LBB about his 'eureka' moment and the influences behind his work. Read the full article on Little Black Book 

Chris discusses his sources of inspiration outside of production, what prompted him to land on his own unique style, to recent stand out work he's seen, as well as hopes and fears for the future! 

LBB: From your perspective, what’s the key to animation that really lives?

Chris: "The beauty of the imperfections. It’s all man made and thus full of beautiful little imperfections and that’s what gives it all its charm and character. And in a time like ours where AI is so talked about I think that aspect of stop-motion is even more put forward as a great quality. Everything on screen is real, man made".

, to see a taste of his award winning work for Coca Cola, Acne Studios, Gucci, BBC, Cadbury’s Creme Egg, KFC, 3 Mobile, Kirin Beer, The Guardian, Innocent Smoothies and Kellogg’s amongst others and music videos for artists including Fergie, London Grammar and Poppy.

Animate! Chris Ullens on "The Beauty of the Imperfections

Academy Award-nominated director and animator Troy Quane discusses his collaboration with A.R.C, his upcoming career endeavours, and the continued evolution of his creative vision in an exclusive interview with Little Black Book. Read the full article on LBB 

Troy reflects on his remarkable career journey, his personal artistic growth and his creative tendencies. "I would say that I’m always looking for something that has a little bite to it, a little bit of edge, a little darkness to balance the light - but still have it be accessible".

"Making ‘Nimona’ was a bumpy ride to say the least. To go from a situation where the movie isn't going to get made, right through to the heights of what our industry can honour a film with is the comeback story of the decade!" shares Troy regarding the Oscar Nomination. "I also hope it sends a message to the studios that audiences are not only ready for, but demanding unique, original, diverse and inclusive stories."

He also discusses the forthcoming stages of his career and reflects on the changes ahead. "I’m hoping that my experience in high-end long-form film will bring a sense of scale and narrative to my short-form work. To be able to boil down the bigger idea to its most condensed form."

Nimona was originated by N.D Stevenson, EP on A.R.C's recent musical short 

, and premiered at Annecy Film Festival 2023. Nimona is available to stream on Netflix. For more of Troy's work, head over to his directors page 

Troy Quane: Resilience, the Making of ‘Nimona’ and Returning to Commercials

The directing collective, Volstok, shares insights with LBB about their creative partnership with A.R.C and delves into their animation techniques and creative process. Read the full article on Little Black Book 

The duo discusses the process of capturing valuable ideas, dedicating themselves fully to bringing those ideas to fruition, and fostering their development to ensure they flourish.

Volstok: "Animation is extremely powerful to tell stories about experiences that people carry close to their own hearts. You can tell a love story with only two dots that will make you cry."

Observations regarding the current landscape and breadth of animation, including emerging trends gaining momentum are also shared:

"It’s a relief to see more quirky and inspiring work in advertising, as it’s an authentic way of standing out of the constant stream of content. To me it feels like animation itself has matured, is more widely accepted as a medium, and finally is accepted as a truly unique and impactful storytelling tool." 

For more of Volstok's work spanning 2D, 3D and mixed media, for brands such as Mitsubishi, Philips, Coca Cola and Mercedes, check it out 

Animate! Pick Up Your Pencil with Volstok

The A.R.C team speaks to LBB about bringing to life Mailchimp's new stop-motion animation series 'All in a Day's Work' - Series Two. Read the full article on Little Black Book 

The comedic series chronicles the highs, lows, and "sometimes-painful realities of life as an entrepreneur or small business owner." The resonance of these narratives is attributed to the relentless dedication and hard work of acclaimed live-action and animation director Effie Pappa, alongside the production team at A.R.C.

"Stop motion imitates imaginary worlds with materials and textures borrowed from our real world. When we as human beings create worlds in our imagination, we think in colours, shapes, textures, and objects’ physical properties and light – similar to our real world., Effie says, "that’s why I believe stop motion is so close to that, and yet so real."

A.R.C: "Initially, our instinct was to streamline storytelling setups to quickly dive into the narrative. However, upon reviewing our initial animatics and appreciating the tactile richness of our world, we realized the importance of slowing down the pace, allowing the story to unfold more organically."Each character was created upon inspiration from real-life individuals, and each narrative has its own specific charm. The films touch the hearts of audience members with their authentic representation complex human emotions and seemingly mundane real life events. 

To see the full suite of films, head over to 

, and for more of Effie Pappa's stop frame, 2D animated and live action work, her directors page can be seen 

Behind the Felt-Crafted Cuteness of Mailchimp’s ‘All in a Day’s Work’ Series

 has recently wrapped up its global festival circuit on a high note, earning an Annie Award nomination for Outstanding Achievement for Music in an Animated Television/Media Production.

Pacemaker is groundbreaking as the first animated musical centered on a trans teen protagonist. The story follows a lonely widower awaiting a pacemaker to save his life, only to discover that his true second chance at happiness comes from embracing his grandson's identity. Through this heartwarming narrative, the film poignantly addresses themes of love, acceptance, and the celebration of differences. The film is viewable on YouTube 

The film’s narrative was inspired by Grammy Award-winning composer Christopher Lennertz, who drew from his own family’s experiences. Lennertz also co-directed the short alongside 

, marking their first collaboration—a partnership that promises more to come.

Competing against a strong field of nominees, including Magic Light Pictures’ The Smeds and the Smoos, Warner Bros./Hulu’s Animaniacs, Warner Bros.’ Babylon 5: The Road Home, and Lucasfilm’s Star Wars: Visions (which ultimately took home the award), Pacemaker stood out for its unique musical themes and inclusive storytelling.

The short features a stellar cast, including 2023 Tony Award winner Alex Newell—the first non-binary actor to win a Tony for their role in Shucked—and Phillip Lawrence, known for his collaborations with Bruno Mars on hits like "Uptown Funk," "Finesse," and "24K Magic."

Pacemaker brought together an international team of filmmakers, animators, and producers who worked collaboratively to craft a film that is as educational as it is entertaining. The 'Making Of' can be seen 

. 

The short has been well-received at festivals across the UK and US, often earning standing ovations and even a few tears from audiences. The film was screened at 16 prestigious festivals, including:

LGBTQ+ Toronto Film Festival – Best Short Form Short Film
Stamped Film Festival – Best Animated Film
IndieX Film Fest – Best Animation Short
Indie Short – Best Animation Short
Outfest Los Angeles LGBTQ+ Film Festival
Woodstock Film Festival
Santa Fe International Film Festival
Aesthetica Film Festival
Chicago International Children’s Film Festival
Cambridge Film Festival
Norwich Film Festival
British Urban Film Festival
The Women’s Film Festival
Twisted Arts Film Festival
LA Animated Film Festival

As Pacemaker concludes its festival journey, it leaves behind a legacy of storytelling that touches hearts and opens minds. Thank you to everyone who watched and connected with this powerful story.

A.R.C's Musical Short "Pacemaker" Concludes Global Festival Run with Annie Award Nomination

A.R.C reunite with London B2B agency The Croc to produce another ground-breaking cinematic film for the Sohonet product portfolio. This is the second chapter in the multi-awarded 2021 campaign Realise Your Vision series. 

Speaking directly to the industry-wide obsession with craft, its objective is to deliver powerful, branded content capable of capturing the imagination of the ones who’ve seen, done and made it all. For Sohonet to break through in a market flooded with technical jargon we needed to engage filmmakers on their terms, reflecting the kind of high-end production values this audience respects. Opening on a desolate, post-apocalyptic wasteland that wouldn’t look out of place at the movies, the shot instantly draws you into the story. The intriguing character strikes a bond of empathy with the viewer. Placing Sohonet firmly at the heart of the production industry, the film explores how Sohonet’s holistic offering helps filmmakers at every stage of the production process. The action goes from on-set location to postproduction, and back again, showing how Sohonet makes every stage of a production seamless.

“To plan and shoot a scene as if extrapolated from a longer Sci-fi movie has been a thrilling ride. At the same time, filming the “behind the scenes” and the “post-production workflow” as part of the same narrative has created this almost metaphysical loop in which we couldn’t help but feel part of the essence of what we were trying to capture. Thanks to Sohonet and The Croc for the trust and letting us bring our sci-fi vision to screen!”

A.R.C co-founder and EP Ben Parkin had this to add:

“A.R.C are proud to align with forward-thinking B2B agencies such as The Croc to deliver memorable, entertaining films with craft and grit. On the back of the award-winning “Realise Your Vision” campaign in 2021, we jumped in with The Croc and Sohonet once again and, just like our sci-fi hero this time around, emerged with the goods in the nick of time. We’re now on a hattrick and ready for more! Hats off to our stellar team for digging in and pulling this one off – and for D I • A L for their creative problem-solving & continued radiance (even in sci-fi dystopia)”

Nick Watmough creative director of The Croc said:

“Thanks to the support of audacious clients like Sohonet, The Croc has been fighting against the humdrum of B2B for a while now. Featuring a flora-loving parkour master facing off against the end of the world, I think it’s safe to say with this film, the legacy continues.”

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A.R.C & The Croc reunite for sci-fi themed Sohonet film: “We Connect Storytellers”

Capterra announces their services to a global audience in a recently released online animated film campaign “Don’t Search, Find”.

“Short List” and “Buyers Remorse” are the two hero 30s films with a clear message: choose Capterra to help accelerate business productivity, and avoid wasting valuable time and financial resource searching for software online. Through polished 3D animation, the campaign visually and fluidly illustrates how Capterra provides valuable solutions for individuals and businesses alike, drawing on data and insights generated from millions of current users.

LA-based directing duo Brian Vincent Rhodes and Izzy Alemu collaborated with Dirty Films’ London and NYC design, animation and production team across a 6 week turnaround from concept to delivery.

It was a wonderful experience bringing the Capterra story to life. With such a rich history and usefulness in the industry, we took on the task of relaying the frustration of searching for software with some of the key features Capterra presents. From our narrative training, we thought of the spots in three acts and wanted to make it as cinematic as possible. With A.R.C's incredible and flexible collaboration we built two hero 30s spots plus cutdowns (six spots in total) on a tight timeline of a little over a month.We all feel very proud of what we came up with.

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Brian Vincent Rhodes and Izzy Alemu collab direct 3D animated campaign for Capterra: “Don’t Search, Find”

Twelve explorers go gonzo on the Harley Davidson Pan America in breathtaking rides through six countries. Their mission: stomping terra…and chasing thrills.

 shares his 60s director’s cut of the 6-part online series shot in France, Germany, UK, Japan, USA and Australia.

The original series for Harley Davidson promotes the launch of the Pan America tour bike and was produced in partnership with GQ (Condé Nast). The series was released online, supported by printed editorial containing photography from the shoots.

Inspired by the gonzo adventures of Hunter. S. Thompson, we are led by two different bikers traversing tales from the beaten track in each episodes. The series is comprised of a diverse set of adventurous professionals from art directors and editors to software engineers, product designers and creative collaborators. The Pan America riders view biking as a passion that lies outside of their day jobs.

A.R.C served as the European producing partner, following six riders travelling across the hills of Bavaria, Germany, the mountains of France and the moors of the Yorkshire Dales, UK.

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"Buy the ticket, take the ride..."

Directing duo NoCowboys direct an in-camera galore performance music video for the latest track ‘54321’ from London-based Irish artist: April. 


From NoCowboys:

“NoCowboys has been looking for an opportunity to experiment with light, installations and in-camera effects for a while, so were delighted when this brief landed from April. The whole process was a big, playful experimentation, as we found and tried different objects and textures to pass light through and bounce off of. 

Massive thanks for Art Director Jessamy Hadfield for bringing to life and creating the mirror installation based on some terrible sketches we sent. And of course the dream duo of DOP James Chegwyn and gaffer Luca Piercey, producer Brooke Lagana, and Rose Esme Lucas, who we teamed up with again after our 

Record Label

Commissioner

Director 

April – 54321

A.R.C presents a travel docuseries directed by the creative powerhouse Youth Hymns following YouTuber 

 around four different cities (Barcelona, Berlin, Amsterdam & London) building peculiar musical instruments out of junk within a 48-hour challenge.

The show follows LMNC (Sam Battle) searching each city for: junk shops, recycling centres, car boot sales, scrap yards, skips, flea markets, dumpsters and whatever else can be found on the street. Various musical and YouTuber guests appear in interviews and music-making sessions in their studios, hackspaces and community organisations giving us local and educational insights into the region and helping Sam reach his lightbulb moment when thinking about what instrument to make.

With environmental responsibility and the importance of recycling being a central theme throughout, the show combines Sam’s genuine love for junk with the thrill of rescuing bygone items destined for the landfill. The results: self-playing-audience-led acoustic guitars, a synth made of actual pork sausage keyboard keys, a tap dancing clog machine and a theremin made out of an old bog.

The mixed-media show itself retains the zany, DIY and punk rock tone Sam has established for his brand, but frames it within a fun docuseries format, complete with 2D animation, plenty of pranks and mishaps and learnings from the road. For existing fans of Look Mum No Computer, we see the return of Sam’s trusty animatronic mate Kosmo, who is called upon when the going gets tough and provides comical local knowledge or some wacky inspiration.

The challenge angle to the show sees Sam building the instruments comprised of scrap from each city in 48hours, visually explained by way of fun animations that break down the construction stages of his Junk Rock TV master plan, nodding to shows of the past like Scrap Heap Challenge (with tongue in cheek humour).

Contributors from across the series include Berlin-based cult synth artist Hainbach, Barcelona-based flamenco hero Pedro Javier Gonzalez, theremin specialist (and Granddaughter to the theremin inventor, Leon Theramin) Lydia Kavina, Amsterdam-based sound artist inventor, Fedde ten Berge, not forgetting our chorizo champion “The Sausage Man Never Sleeps” in Berlin… as well as local institutions such as Befaco (Barcelona), Common Ground (Berlin) and Red Bull Studios (London).

Each of the four episodes were released weekly to Look Mum No Computer’s 

 starting from Wednesday 7th September, with new episodes released every subsequent Wednesday evening, wracking up 180k+ views.

The “ROBOTO GUITARO” Barcelona episode is 

The “WURST KEYBOARD IN THE WORLD” Berlin episode is 

The “CLEVER CLOGS” Amsterdam episode is 