To infinity and beyond: The enduring appeal of stop-motion

In 1995 Toy Story burst onto cinema screens, apparently heralding the end of stop-motion as an art form. That proved not to be the case, and Not to Scale director Anthony Farquhar-Smith examines the ongoing appeal and artistic merit of stop-motion animation.

After burning out, director Jon Bregel rediscovered what really mattered to him: filming honest, human stories with care. He shares why trust, conviction, and small crews matter when tackling heavy topics like grief and trauma, and how to create work that moves people without feeling fake or forced.

Handmade down to the last thumbprint, the BBC’s UEFA Women’s Euro trailer brings football’s biggest stars to life in an intricate and action-packed claymation. We spoke to BLINKINK producer Rebecca Little about painstaking craft, uplifting tone, and why traditional techniques still score big in an increasingly digital world.

Until recently, as the Founding Partner of Rogue Films, Charlie Crompton was at the helm of one of the UK’s most respected and awarded production companies. Having stepped away last year to take on a new adventure, he talks to Danny Edwards about trying to follow in the footsteps of The Jam, attempting to conduct and support creative talent, and having “a hittable face”.

Repped by Furlined, director Paco Cruz talks surreal spots, sharp timing, and the joys of making people laugh and cringe simultaneously.