BFI SOUTHBANK: The magic of Stop Motion returns with “Coraline”

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BFI SOUTHBANK: The magic of Stop Motion returns with “Coraline”

BFI SOUTHBANK: The magic of Stop Motion returns with “Coraline”

BFI Southbank has opened its doors for a special season dedicated to stop motion animation, in collaboration with the renowned studio LAIKA. This season highlights iconic films such as “Fantastic Mr. Fox”, “Anomalisa”, and the much-loved “Coraline”. By Vivian Tsitampani

An Unforgettable Evening with “Coraline”

Last night, the lucky attendees were able to watch the restored 3D screening of “Coraline”, the masterpiece by Neil Gaiman, directed by Henry Selick. The evening began with an introduction by Selick himself, accompanied by Teri Hatcher, the voice of the Mother in the film. They shared anecdotes and memories from the creation of the film, reminding the audience of the enormous effort and artistic talent required to bring this project to life. The production of “Coraline” took six years, with 18 months of principal photography and the participation of 450 people at different times.

Photos: BFI Southbank/London/DR

The Art of Stop Motion

Henry Selick highlighted the challenges of making stop motion films, especially in an era dominated by AI and CGI technologies. He reminded that stop motion remains a unique art form, championed by directors like Tim Burton, Guillermo del Toro, and Wes Anderson. According to Selick, “Stop motion presents real objects that come to life as if by magic, with the artist’s imprint visible in every frame.”

LAIKA Exhibition: Frame x Frame

Alongside the screenings, the LAIKA: Frame x Frame exhibition offers an immersive dive into the world of LAIKA films. Visitors can discover more than 700 artifacts, including puppets, sets, and props from the films “Coraline“, “ParaNorman“, “The Boxtrolls“, “Kubo“ and the Two Strings“, as well as Missing Link. The exhibition, running from August 12 to October 1, 2024, also features exclusive elements from LAIKA’s upcoming film, “Wildwood”, scheduled for 2025.

Photos: BFI Southbank/London/DR

A Season Not to Be Missed

The Stop Motion: Celebrating Hand-Crafted Animation on the Big Screen season runs from August 1 to October 9, with free screenings for children under 16. Tickets for the screenings and the exhibition have been available to the public since July 4. If you are a fan of stop motion, or if it’s a genre you would like to explore, don’t miss the Stop Motion season at BFI Southbank, a unique opportunity to rediscover the magic of stop motion and dive into the fascinating world of LAIKA.