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Young British talent shines at Oscars

Young British talent shines at Oscars

With Benedict Cumberbatch and Eddie Redmayne receiving a plethora of recognition for their films The Imitation Game and The Theory of Everything respectively, let’s save some applause for National Film and Television School (NFTS) student filmmakers, Chris Hees and Daisy Jacobs – two other British stars who have been nominated for an Oscar. 

What began as an animated graduation film has turned into an overnight success, with the pair set to attend the star-studded ceremony on Sunday 22 February to await the fate of their animated film The Bigger Picture – nominated for best animated short. In the UK the two have already won a BAFTA for their project.

Their film was produced and directed at the NFTS facilities and portrays two-metre painted characters travelling through full-size sets, telling the story of two brothers trying to cope with the care of their elderly mother.

Hees said: “When The Bigger Picture was chosen to screen at our graduation ceremony we were excited enough. To start the year with a BAFTA win and now to be in the running for an Oscar too, it’s just incredible and totally surreal.”

The new filmmaker was on the end of a bursary from Creative England that allowed him to attend the NFTS. The funding programme helps support talented people in the film, TV, games and digital media industries.

Hailing the initiative, Nik Powell, director of the NFTS said: “Chris and Daisy have made an excellent film and it’s brilliant that it has been recognised by the Academy. Without Creative England’s support, Chris would not have been able to come to the NFTS. It’s truly life-changing.”

Hees and Jacobs ended up being runners-up to Disney produced Feast by Patrick Osborne. Nevertheless, it’s an incredible feat for two students to win a BAFTA, and be nominated for an Academy Award, from a graduation film.

*This article was changed on Monday 23 2015 to reflect the outcome of the Oscars. 

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