Aardman Marks 50 Years with Trio of Special Events at Cinema Rediscovered This July
As part of its 10th anniversary edition, Cinema Rediscovered will celebrate 50 years of Aardman Animation with a trio of special events featuring newly knighted Aardman co-founders Sir Peter Lord and Sir David Sproxton. Taking place during the festival’s run from 22–26 July in Bristol, the programme offers audiences a rare opportunity to revisit key moments from the studio’s history and hear directly from two of the figures behind its success.
Presented as part of the wider 50 Years of Aardman celebrations at Watershed, the events spotlight some of the studio’s most beloved characters, landmark productions and pioneering achievements in stop-motion animation.
Sweet Disaster
23 July
Marking the 40th anniversary of the Channel 4 series, this rare big-screen presentation revisits Aardman’s darkly comic and imaginative visions of the apocalypse. Produced at the studio’s original Clifton premises, the programme includes Babylon, directed by Peter Lord and David Sproxton, and featuring some of Nick Park’s earliest work for the company. Following the screening, audiences can enjoy a discussion with Lord and Sproxton.
50 Years of Morph
25 July
One of Aardman’s earliest and most enduring creations takes centre stage in a celebration of Morph’s five decades on screen. The event explores the history of the mischievous clay character, charting his journey from television favourite to international icon, with stories and insights from Peter Lord and David Sproxton.
Peter Gabriel’s Sledgehammer Revealed & Sledgehammer
23 & 25 July
Widely regarded as one of the most influential music videos ever made, Peter Gabriel’s Sledgehammer returns to the big screen alongside a documentary exploring its creation. Featuring a special video introduction from Gabriel, the event celebrates the groundbreaking stop-motion collaboration between Aardman and the Brothers Quay, with Lord and Sproxton sharing behind-the-scenes anecdotes from the production. The programme takes place on 23 July, with a repeat screening on 25 July.
Alongside the screenings, visitors can also experience Cracking Exhibition, Gromit! 50 Years of Aardman in Bristol at Bristol’s M Shed, running until 13 September. Ticket holders for any of the Watershed Aardman events can receive a 15% discount on exhibition admission, while exhibition visitors can claim 15% off tickets for the Watershed Aardman programme.
Cinema Rediscovered returns to Bristol from 22–26 July with more than 70 events celebrating newly restored classics, overlooked gems and cinematic history, alongside talks, workshops, performances and special guests from across the film world.