Neeraja Raj is the winner of Climate Spring's inaugural Climate Short Animation Film Competition, presented in partnership with TK-FX and Lowkey Films

We’re thrilled to announce that London-based director, writer and animator Neeraja Raj has won Climate Spring’s inaugural Climate Short Animation Film Competition, presented in partnership with TK-FX and Lowkey Films, and in collaboration with BBC Writers and BFI Network. Her new animation project Tuk Tuk (working title!), now to be developed into a fully produced short film, will benefit from a £30k production grant and in-kind support from TK-FX and Lowkey Films.

Launched in 2023 as part of Climate Spring's broader World Building Programme, the competition aimed to support innovative climate storytelling with a focus on visualising regenerative futures and normalising sustainable behaviours on screen. The creative brief particularly encouraged stories that move beyond narratives of climate doom, instead focusing on how we can collectively confront and overcome climate challenges.

About Neeraja Raj

Neeraja is a London-based director, writer, animator and a highly imaginative and gifted storyteller from Kerala, India. Her diverse portfolio showcases a range of techniques spanning stop-motion, 2D and 3D animation. She is able to create endlessly detailed and tactile worlds and capture heartfelt performances through carefully crafted characters.

Her acclaimed 2020 animation film 'Meow or Never' was shortlisted for the 'BAFTA Awards', won the 'Young Director Award', and the International 'Women in Animation' Best Film Award. Her films have officially been featured in Oscar®-Qualifying festivals like SXSW, Tribeca, Cleveland, Austin, Chicago, Sitges and more.

Recognized as one of Variety's Top 10 Animators to Watch (2022) and a Forbes 30 Under 30 - Entertainment honoree (2023), Neeraja has also previously worked at Aardman Animations and Disney. She is repped by Verve & managed by Gotham Group.

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