ANNA SEWELL ANIMATION SHORTLISTED FOR BRAND FILM AWARD 2024

*VIDEO

Redwings’ animation about Black Beauty author Anna Sewell has been shortlisted for a Brand Film Award 2024.

Created in partnership with the University of East Anglia (UEA) by Meantime Media and voiced by Dame Joanna Lumley, the film celebrates the legacy of the Great Yarmouth-born novelist, who’s birthplace Anna Sewell House is in the custodianship of Redwings.

The biggest horse welfare charity in the UK is working with the UEA to elevate Anna’s impact on animal welfare, as well as the literature world, and together they have published a special edition of the world-famous novel, raising funds for the animals Anna loved so much, which is on sale now.

Nicola Knight, Redwings’ Head of Communications & Campaigns, said: “We’re delighted to be shortlisted for this prestigious film award and we are so grateful for the incredible work of the animation team at Meantime Media for their stunning visuals!

“The story of Black Beauty is a beautiful tale of patience and courage in adversity, which in many ways mirrors Anna Sewell’s own story. So often Anna is overshadowed by her own fictional creation, and yet her legacy for horse welfare echoes throughout the world to this day. With support from the UEA and Dame Joanna Lumley, we hope to shine a light on her profound influence.

“We are grateful to Dame Joanna who gifted her time to us and the Arts and Humanities Research Council from whom we received funding.”

The animation and its message will continue to be promoted throughout 2024 as Redwings celebrates its 40^th anniversary. As part of the year-long schedule of exciting events, the charity will host its first ever Book Festival in May, at Redwings Caldecott Visitor Centre, down the road from Anna Sewell House, where there will be talks about the author, her life and legacy.

Professor Thomas Ruys Smith, a specialist in 19^th century literature at the UEA, is working with Redwings on the Anna Sewell project and will be one of the authors speaking. He said: “It’s high time that Norfolk’s most successful literary export was recognised for the impact it had on the world, and it’s a privilege to work with Redwings to shine a spotlight on Anna Sewell’s incredible life and legacy.

“We’re very excited that this film is being recognised in this way, and looking forward to the upcoming Book Festival, which we hope will be the first of many.”

‘She learned all their secrets: The story of Anna Sewell and Black Beauty’ is shortlisted in the Animated, Branded Content & Entertainment category. The awards ceremony will take place on Tuesday 23^rd April at the Ham Yard Hotel, Soho, London. To find out more go to: https://www.brandfilmawards.co.uk/

To find out more about Redwings’ work over the past 40 years and get involved in the events that are taking place to celebrate, please visit: https://www.redwings.org.uk/rubyanniversary