YOUNG visitors to the Pennine Film Festival were among those treated to an animation masterclass by an Oscar and Bafta nominee.

Animator, director and author Barry Purves, who worked with director Tim Burton on Mars Attacks! discussed his life and work.

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Festival director, Stephen Murphy, said: “It’s not everyday you get to be part of an animation masterclass with someone of the calibre of Barry Purves. The event was great and the audience interaction was particularly pleasing.”

Barry said: “The audience were fantastic. Accrington and Rossendale College impressed me and it was very friendly.

“I asked who the audience was and they said 60 eight-year-olds, students, teachers, and the public. I was greeted by a sea of red blazers and so many hands going up politely asking questions. I showed a film about Tchaikovsky; it’s difficult to talk to eight-year-olds about him but I didn’t want to leave adults out. I asked what they knew about him, and a hand shot up. He said, ‘Was he a cyclops?’ I really enjoyed it and I was delighted to be on the same programme as Mike Hodges [director of Michael Caine classic Get Carter]. I came away smiling.”

Barry’s films have won over 60 major international awards.

He also directed commercials, title sequences and animation inserts for film and pop promos. His work includes Danger Mouse, Chorlton and the Wheelies, Postman Pat and books on his craft.

The ninth annual film festival ended on Friday with a wrap party at Grant’s Bar, Accrington, after a great week of screenings and fun activities.