BAFTA have announced that Brian Cosgrove (above, left) will be honoured with the Special Award for outstanding creative contribution to the industry at this year’s British Academy Children’s Awards. It’s due to be presented by actor and life-long friend, Sir David Jason at the Awards Ceremony on Sunday 25 November. Brian and David have worked together on several animated films and children’s programmes including THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS, THEBFG, COUNT DUCKULA and DANGERMOUSE. Harvey Elliott, Chairman of BAFTA’s Children’s Committee said
“It gives the Academy great pleasure to honour the work of one of the country’s most respected and influential animators, and for the role that Cosgrove Hall has played in developing, nurturing and inspiring the next generation of animation talent.”
Fellow BAFTA Committee Member and Chairman of Animation UK, Oli Hyatt added:
“Brian Cosgrove is a legend to all animators and a founding father of the industry as we know it in this country today. You can track most of the talent that is working around the UK to Brian, through his studio Cosgrove Hall. His employees received both a sound grounding in the practical artistry of creating animation, but also the infectious passion and enthusiasm that rubbed off on everyone that met him. When the industry rallied last year, Brian launched himself into the spotlight to add a voice with real gravitas to the argument. I’m delighted that Brian has won this prestigious award, and can’t think of a more deserving and inspirational recipient.”
Brian formed Manchester based animation studio, Cosgrove Hall with his business partner Mark Hall in 1975. The studio quickly established itself as the leading producer of animated programmes in the UK and created shows and films that have entertained millions of people all over the world. Actress Debra Gillett explained:
“I had the pleasure of working with Brian Cosgrove and Mark Hall a number of times and it was always a joy. The quality of the creative work, the high standard on which they based every detail of every project was so reassuring for one of the newer people like me. No matter how long the day, work was always fun, and felt like a family getting together every time we met to record the next set of episodes. Cossie, as he was affectionately known by some, knew what he wanted down to the last minute detail and the result was wonderful, original shows which were enjoyed all over the world. I am so pleased that his work is being recognised with this well deserved award.”
Brian Cosgrove and the team at Cosgrove Hall were also champions of Manchester’s arts and cultural scene, so much so that members of Joy Division (Bernard Sumner), The Stone Roses (John Squire) and Inspiral Carpets (Craig Gill) all worked under Cosgrove and Hall’s tutelage at some point in the studios’ life. Illustrator and animator Curtis Jobling, who has collaborated with many Cosgrove Hall alumni on programmes such as BOB THE BUILDER, RAA RAA THE NOISY LION, WEREWORLD and FRANKENSTEINS’S CAT, says,
“It’s apparent to anyone the influence Brian has had on my work. If it hadn’t been for my childhood spent watching Wind in the Willows and DangerMouse, I may never have gone on to pursue a career in animation.”
Speaking of his Award, Brian said:
“After 40 years of making children’s programmes, it is an honour and a privilege to be receiving this Special Award from BAFTA. On hearing I would receive the Award I was thrilled! I’ve been lucky in many ways, particularly that I’ve spent my whole career doing what I would have chosen to do as a hobby and I was fortunate in finding the right person, Mark Hall, to work alongside. Together, we built a company that gave work to a whole generation of artists and film makers, and hopefully, via the programmes we made, brought pleasure to many generations of viewers.”
Congratulations, Brian, what a legend of our much younger youth!!
