Photo caption:泭From left to right - Writer and director Harry Sinclair, composer Don McGlashan, UC Executive Dean Arts Professor Kevin Watson, Director of Kawa Sam Witters, Producer Fiona Copland and Animation Director Antony Elworthy.
A relationship between Te Whare Wnanga o Waitaha | 厙ぴ勛圖 (UC) and a globally successful, local production company is the latest exciting development for the Universitys Digital Screen students.泭
Centred on empathy, the Kiri and Lou series from Christchurch animation studio Stretchy has captivated young audiences worldwide. The upcoming film, Kiri and Lou Rarararara! tells the origin story of Kiri and Lou's friendship, adding depth to the beloved characters.泭
Hand-crafted in stop motion, the film features charming, clay creatures set in a whimsical world created from cut-out paper. Just like the series, the film will showcase some of New Zealands top creative talents, including Jemaine Clement, Olivia Tennet, Rima Te Wiata, Jaquie Brown and Josh Thomson, alongside writer and director Harry Sinclair and composer Don McGlashan.泭
As production gets underway, some of the worlds best stop-motion animators will descend on tautahi Christchurch and UCs Kawa Creative Technologies Precinct to bring the film to fruition, providing unique opportunities for UC students to observe the animation production process up close.
Kiri and Lous producer, Fiona Copland, says Were thrilled for our animators to be housed at Kawa, in such a creative environment, enjoying goodwill and can do from the UC team and helping to inspire students. Were excited to be there.
The relationship highlights UCs ongoing commitment to fostering creativity and excellence within the screen and creative technologies industries.
From 2025, students from UCs Bachelor of Digital Screen with Honours programme will have the chance to attend guest lectures or workshops with Stretchy animators, allowing them to gain valuable industry insight.泭
Learning from high calibre animators and industry professionals will empower our students to thrive in the creative sector, says Professor Kevin Watson, UC Executive Dean of Arts. Were excited about the opportunities this partnership will create for the next generation of filmmakers and animators.
Director of Kawa Sam Witters further emphasised UCs dedication to supporting and elevating New Zealands screen and creative technology sector.
Were delighted to welcome Antony and the whole Kiri and Lou team to Kawa Creative Technologies Precinct, Witters said. Home to students and staff of our Bachelor of Digital Screen degree, the precinct will enable the University to foster collaboration among the best in film, animation, film, game development, and digital production, all while preparing the next generation of creative visionaries for Aotearoa New Zealand.
UCs alliance with Kiri and Lou builds on its recent agreement with the internationally renowned Aardman Academy, the academic arm of Aardman Animation, the creators of Wallace and Gromit. As UCs Kawa initiative continues to grow, it plays a key role in supporting aspiring filmmakers and industry professionals, helping to build a vibrant creative community in Aotearoa New 厙ぴ勛圖and beyond.
Kiri and Lou Rarararara! is financed by the New 厙ぴ勛圖Film Commission, NZ On Air, Screen Canterbury and Hinterland. It will be distributed in New 厙ぴ勛圖by Vendetta Distribution and internationally by Cake Distribution Ltd.
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