A SELF-TAUGHT Cheshire filmmaker is standing alongside heavy hitting studios such as Disney and Netflix in the running for an award celebrating animation.

Lorna Gibson, from Tarporley, has been named as a finalist in the 'Best Film - Kids and Family' category of the inaugural Collision Awards for her film Mr Bear's Birthday.

The 41-year-old author has already enjoyed success since turning to animation, with her first film, Mr Bear's Christmas, shown on television in 2022 and narrated by Stephen Fry, who has also lent his voice to Lorna's latest work.

Delighted with the nomination, Lorna and her business Toots Design will discover if she has been successful in the competition when the winners are announced on July 16.

She said: "I’m absolutely delighted to have my animation once again so beautifully narrated by Stephen Fry, and Mr Bear’s Birthday being named as a Collision film award finalist is extra cause for celebration and cake.

"When the story of Mr Bear’s Birthday came to mind, it immediately conjured up thoughts of pastel colours, the joys of making a mess baking cakes and the magic of surprising someone you love.

Author, animator and illustrator Lorna GibsonAuthor, animator and illustrator Lorna Gibson (Image: Lorna Gibson/Toots Design)

"I couldn’t wait to begin creating the colourful props and animating this heartwarming story."

Stephen Fry added: "Such a pleasure to be the narrator of Mr Bear’s Birthday and a part of this delightfully animated and charming story."

Mr Bear’s Birthday follows a touching tale of friendship when woodland animals come together to celebrate Mr Bear’s big day – notwithstanding some cake baking disasters along the way.

It sees Mouse set about baking a surprise cake for Mr Bear, a cause for much excitement until, to Mouse's horror, the cake is burnt.

A little Robin saves the day and flies around the forest with a plan to bake an extra special cake for Mr Bear, with a little help from their friends.

Lorna's latest stop-motion film follows on from her first Mr Bear stories, which feature in her 2019 book The Tales Of Mr Bear.

To make her films, Lorna learnt to needlefelt to create the characters and sets which bring her stories to life.

Lorna learnt to needlefelt to create the characters in her stop-motion filmLorna learnt to needlefelt to create the characters in her stop-motion film (Image: Lorna Gibson/Toots Design) Each film was created on a low budget, filmed in a small room at her parents' house in Cheshire.

Randeep Katari, general manager of the Collision Awards, said: "Lorna Gibson’s film has excelled in its category, standing out as one of the most creative, stylistic and exciting pieces of work from across the globe.

"This award is a testament to the skill and vision of its creators and team."

Mr Bear’s Birthday was enhanced by the work of Buckinghamshire composer Andrew Pickering, who wrote and performed its soundtrack, and Cheshire lighting professional Daniel Beckett, each of whom agreed to support the project at no cost.