2012 Awardee: Jessica Ashman

It excites me to be part of an industry which makes the impossible possible, and reaches out to the hearts and minds of audiences from all walks of life
Biography
Jessica moved to Edinburgh from the Midlands in 2008, after gaining a coveted place on the Animator Apprenticeship Scheme run by what was then Scottish Screen. She proved herself to be a commited and passionate young animator, with the necessary patience and core skills required to make a career in the artform.
After her apprenticeship, Jessica lived and worked in Glasgow. She made a name for herself as a freelance director and animator in the film and TV industries.
Jessica’s passion for directing comes from the ability to share stories, experiences and emotions through work on screen. Her short film Fixing Luka is a stop motion animaton that explores her personal experience of growing up with a younger brother who has autism. The film went on to win a New Talent BAFTA for Original Score and a Scottish BAFTA for Best Animation in 2011.
Also in 2011, Jessica was commissioned as a writer/director on B3 Media’s Talentlab Programme; a creative development programme produced in partnership with Skillset and BBC Films. She received mentor support from top industry professionals and on completion was accepted onto the prestigious MA in Animation at the Royal College of Art.
How the Award Helped
Studying for a masters degree provided a crucial tipping point for Jessica, taking her to the next level of her career. She received a Dewar Award to enable her to benefit from this opportunity to the full.
Trailer: Fixing Luka
Trailer: Tenderfoot (MA final year film from RCA)

It excites me to be part of an industry which makes the impossible possible, and reaches out to the hearts and minds of audiences from all walks of life