A Cumbrian Animated Film Secures International Recognition for Environmental Awareness

A short film featuring an animated Cumbrian red squirrel has recently won the prestigious ‘IPST Education Award’ at the Goethe Institute’s 2025 Science Film Festival. The production, titled ‘Wood You Believe It’, effectively illustrates the role of trees in combatting flooding and mitigating climate change.

A Global Showcase

This year, the Science Film Festival saw over 1,500 entries from 110 nations, with only 123 films chosen for the competition. The festival attracts a vast audience exceeding 500,000, making it a significant platform for raising awareness about pressing global issues.

‘Wood You Believe It’ is part of a series aimed at highlighting natural flood management techniques that can help protect homes, businesses, and agricultural land from the effects of flooding. The films were produced through a collaboration involving the Environment Agency, the Cumbria Wildlife Trust, and the Cumbria Innovation Flood Resilience (CiFR) project.

Understanding Natural Flood Management

Natural flood management encompasses various techniques aimed at retaining water during flooding events. By implementing these methods, the adverse effects on downstream communities and vital infrastructure can be significantly lessened. The film series also explores how these techniques can enhance water quality while addressing climate change impacts.

Introducing Twiggy

The film stars Twiggy, a Cumbrian red squirrel, who serves as the viewer’s guide. She elaborates on the multitude of benefits trees provide, including their ability to alleviate the impacts of flooding, drought, and heat, as well as their contribution to carbon sequestration. Local RSPB expert Annabel Rushton provides voice acting for Twiggy, ensuring that the narrative is grounded in local expertise.

The Filmmaking Journey

According to David Kennedy of the Environment Agency, who also lends his voice to another character, the concept for the films originated during the Covid lockdown. He aimed to engage the public through animated storytelling focused on natural flood management.

“I wanted to convey our message in a simple yet impactful manner, capturing the audience within a brief timeframe,” he said. “It’s gratifying to see our collective efforts recognised by such a noteworthy festival.”

Creative Collaboration

Cadi Catlow, Director of the film, expressed her delight in bringing the project to life. She created a life-sized puppet of Twiggy, ensuring it was both anatomically correct and animated with personality.

“The experience was enjoyable because it combined my passions for wildlife and research,” Catlow remarked. “The filming involved a dedicated team all committed to highlighting important environmental information.”

Building Resilience in Cumbria

The Interim Director of Nature Recovery at the Cumbria Wildlife Trust, Graham Jackson-Pitt, lauded the film’s achievement, noting how the award will broaden the reach of natural flood management concepts.

“This recognition will help disseminate the benefits of natural flood management to a larger audience, which is crucial for our work in making landscapes more resilient to climate impacts,” he stated.

Broader Recognition and Future Prospects

‘Wood You Believe It’ is part of a second series of four films, with the first series already having received accolades at the 2023 Learning on Screen Awards. The current series has been accepted into 25 international film festivals, including prestigious events like the Annecy Animated Film Festival and the Manchester Animation Festival.

• To view ‘Wood You Believe It’ and its accompanying films, visit: Cumbria Wildlife Trust.

• Funding for the films was provided by the Environment Agency’s £200 million Flood & Coastal Innovation Programme.

• ‘Wood You Believe It’ has been screened in numerous countries, including India, Brazil, and South Africa.

Source: official statements, news agencies, and public reports.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/powerful-animated-cumbrian-nfm-film-wins-international-prize