My name is Helen Piercy. I am an award winning author, illustrator, animator and lecturer. I graduated with an MA in animation from the National Film and Television School and my films have screened at festival worldwide including Edinburgh International Film Festival, Stuttgarter Filmwinter, Encounters and Poitiers Film Festival

I have worked on a diverse collection of projects, from directing an animated short, voiced by Alan Rickman, to collaborating with clients including Children In Need, World Wildlife Fund, BBC Radio One, London Fashion Week, Saatchi Gallery and Sadler’s Wells Theatre.

My great passion for filmmaking led me to set up Helen Animate Workshops, teaching young people of all abilities animation skills. My workshop clients include The BFI, Barbican and Museum of London.

In 2013 I released my first book 'Animation Studio', an interactive animation kit for children to create films and an Amazon best seller.

In 2017, I was appointed Educational Director for Animated Women UK, an organisation that supports women working in the Animation and VFX industries.

I am a full time lecturer at Norwich University of the Arts, teaching on the BA Animation and VFX Course with a focus on stop motion and fabrication.

My current research explores how women, trans, non-binary and disabled animators use technology and storytelling. I’m especially interested in creative-computing methods that empower access and collaboration.