For its latest installment, Animorsels is taking over The Old Cold Store in Nottingham, UK, transforming the popular local venue into a hub of visual storytelling and macabre creativity. Known for curating eclectic programs that celebrate both independent grit and commercial excellence, the organizers have lined up a headline appearance that is sure to draw crowds from across the region and beyond.
The undisputed highlight of the evening will be a special presentation and talk by Lee Hardcastle, the acclaimed stop-motion maverick and claymation director. Hardcastle has carved out a distinct and globally recognized niche for himself with his hyper-kinetic, darkly comedic, and instantly recognizable claymation style. Over the course of his career, he has built a massive following through his biting parodies and visceral short films, eventually translating his underground success into high-profile commercial partnerships. Today, his client roster boasts major entertainment giants and global brands, including Adult Swim, Disney+, and Burger King. Attendees at the Nottingham meetup will have a rare opportunity to hear directly from Hardcastle about his creative process, the challenges of producing high-end stop-motion animation for major mainstream platforms, and the unique sensibilities required to sustain a long and successful career in the independent animation sector.
In addition to Hardcastle’s headline talk, the October 27 gathering will put a strong spotlight on homegrown regional talent. The evening’s program includes dedicated talks and presentations from prominent local animators Karl Poyzer and Oz Durose. Both creators are deeply embedded in the contemporary motion landscape and are expected to offer valuable perspectives on working within the industry, developing personal artistic voices, and navigating the evolving demands of the commercial and independent animation markets from a local base in the UK.
True to the spirit of the Animorsels community, the night will not be limited to formal presentations. The schedule is packed with engaging community activities designed to foster interaction, friendly competition, and celebration of the local craft. Among the key attractions is a curated screening showcasing a diverse selection of creepy short animations, perfectly timed to set a spooky mood ahead of the late-October date. Furthermore, the event will feature the official screening of entries submitted for the latest Animorsels animation challenge, giving independent creators a public platform to showcase their short-form work to an appreciative audience of peers and industry professionals.
No Animorsels meetup would be complete without its signature community festivities, and the October edition is stepping up the entertainment with the return of the Quick Quiz. Attendees can test their knowledge of motion design, animation history, film trivia, and pop culture for a chance to win a variety of exciting animation-related prizes. To round out the evening, the organizers have teased a series of additional fun surprises designed to keep the crowd entertained well into the night.
The venue for the evening, The Old Cold Store, provides an atmospheric backdrop suited to the spooky theme of the gathering. Located in Nottingham, the venue has frequently served as a welcoming space for creative meetups, offering a relaxed environment where established professionals and aspiring animators can exchange ideas, share drinks, and build lasting professional connections outside of formal studio environments.
Animorsels has steadily established itself as a vital fixture in the UK’s regional creative calendar, offering a consistent platform for motion designers, stop-motion artists, and digital creators to connect. By pairing world-class guest directors like Lee Hardcastle with accessible community programming, open challenges, and localized insights from figures like Karl Poyzer and Oz Durose, the meetup continues to bridge the gap between grassroots passion and global industry standards.
Detailed information regarding the event schedule, venue logistics, and supplementary activities can be found directly through the official Animorsels website. Tickets for the October 27, 2026, gathering are currently available for reservation via Eventbrite, with local organizers strongly advising attendees to secure their spots early given the anticipated demand for what is shaping up to be one of Nottingham’s most exciting creative events of the autumn season.
