Film has hopes for Bafta glory

An animated short film made in Northern Ireland could be in line for a Bafta next month.

The Crumblegiant, a five-minute movie created in Londonderry, has been nominated for one of the prestigious awards.

The animated short film, Crumblegiant, could win an award

It is the story of an old woman lying in hospital looking at the clouds and remembering her childhood.

The movie, made by Raw Nerve films at a cost of £40,000, is narrated by the actor Bernard Hill.

Its writer, director and animator John McCloskey is modest about his achievements - and the prospect of an award.

"It is starting to sink in a bit now, but it's something I don't really think about it," he said.

"Because when you are just working day to day on animations, you just have to concentrate on what you are doing."

It is one of only three films nominated for an award by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts.

Producer Pearse Moore said: "The argument we have been trying to make for 20 years is that local people are extremely talented and can do their work locally and can be recognised on an international stage."

Raw Nerve has a distinguished award history; the film Dance Lexie Dance was nominated for an Oscar in 1998.

The awards will be made in London on 10 February.

Meanwhile, Armagh cameraman Seamus McGarvey has been nominated for his work on the Oscar favourite, Atonement.

Another Oscar hopeful has, however, been pipped at the post. Kings, an Irish language feature film has not made it to the shortlist for the academy awards.