Richard Williams, who recently celebrated his 80th birthday, moved to the UK during the 50s to set up his own animation studio. One of his most characteristic works, Dickens' Christmas Carol (1971) won the Academy Award for animation (short film) the following year. Williams is more widely known as the creative mind behind Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988), for which he won another Academy Award.

 Edinburgh International Film Festival, in partnership with Encounters Short Film and Animation Festival, presents (29 June) a 2-hour programme of short films directed by Richard Williams.

The award-winning animator will attend the screening (29 June, 13:45 at Filmhouse1, Edinburgh), and participate in a Q&A session afterwards.

 Some of the programme highlights:

• The Little Island, Richard Williams/UK/1958/32 min

The struggles of three characters obsessed with their visions of Goodness, Truth, and Beauty lead to all-out conflict. Williams self-funded his first independent short film, which won a BAFTA for Best Animation, among many international awards.

• Love Me, Love Me, Love Me, Richard Williams/UK/1962/8 min

Described by Williams as a ‘private joke’ on commercials he was producing at the time, featuring the mercurial voice of the late Kenneth Williams. Its success gave Williams the confidence to establish his own commercial animation studio in Soho Square.

• Christmas Carol, Richard Williams/USA/1971/26 min

Featuring the voices of Alistair Sim and Michael Hordern, this adaptation of Dickens’ classic is inspired by the original engraved illustrations which accompanied the story's first publication. A Christmas Carol won the Academy Award for animation in 1972

• Circus Drawings, Richard Williams/UK/2010/9 min

This short personal film, inspired by Williams’ drawings of a small Spanish circus, began production in 1953 and was completed in 2010. The result is an adventure in time with the animator of today encountering himself as a young artist.

 A new documentary, Persistence of Vision, concentrates on Richard Williams and his unsuccessful effort to complete a feature film.

 Read the film review and the interview of director Kevin Schreck to Zippy Frames.

Want to read more free articles like this?

Keep this professional animation journalism effort relevant and updated. Become our patron