The brief
How Arts Charities Use Animation to Share Marginalised Voices
BearFace Theatre CIC is dedicated to using Applied Theatre methods to inspire positive change and conflict resolution, demonstrating how creative arts charities use animation to engage audiences and share real-life experiences. for those often labelled as on the margins of society. Their work supports individuals affected by the criminal justice system, their families, and their wider communities, empowering them through creative arts and inclusive storytelling.
As part of this mission, BearFace Theatre CIC frequently works in schools, delivering high-quality programmes to young people at risk. In collaboration with Artswork, they sought to create a new educational programme aimed at raising awareness of the difficult challenges faced by individuals impacted by the criminal justice system while providing insight into making safer choices.
The programme was informed by direct engagement with at-risk individuals, with BearFace Theatre CIC gathering first-hand experiences to guide its development. These insights were distilled into five key subject areas:
- Knife Crime
- County Lines
- Healthy Relationships
- Sexual Exploitation
- Peer-to-Peer Violence
To introduce the programme and provide honest, impactful messaging, BearFace Theatre CIC wanted to create a short animation that would highlight these topics in a way that felt authentic and accessible to young people.
What we did
Creating an Animation That Feels Real and Honest
We worked closely with BearFace Theatre CIC to transform their initial ideas into an animation that would resonate with young audiences. This collaboration involved extensive creative discussions to ensure the film maintained authenticity and emotional impact.
The scripting process was a true partnership. BearFace Theatre CIC provided the initial draft, drawing from their experience as natural storytellers, while we offered guidance and structural support to refine the narrative. It was important to us that the raw, lived experiences of the individuals involved remained at the core of the film.
Once the script was finalised, we developed style sheets, taking rough sketches from BearFace Theatre CIC and translating them into fully digital visuals. After refining the approach, we settled on a textured, organic art style—a look that felt hand-crafted and human, reinforcing the film’s message of real-life experiences.
For the animation itself, we adopted a storybook-like feel. Movement was kept intentional—only the most meaningful elements were animated to enhance the storytelling rather than overwhelm it. Every motion was carefully chosen to add emotional depth and reinforce the message.
The technical
Concept development
Story development
Script support
Schedules and timelines
Style sheets
Illustration
Animation
Music licensing
Stills
The result
How Animation Helps Charities Communicate Social Impact
We’re incredibly proud of how this animation turned out. It matched our creative vision exactly as we had imagined, and, more importantly, it achieved its goal of giving a voice to those who often go unheard.
The client was equally thrilled with the final film, and it has now been successfully rolled out as part of the programme. Knowing that this project will help young people navigate difficult situations makes it especially rewarding, and we’re honoured to have been a part of it.
Want to create an animated film that drives social change for your charity? Let’s collaborate and bring your story to life! Let’s talk.
