Andy Sykes is an award-winning independent animator and illustrator, based in Leeds.

Andy works mainly in Flash and produces very personal, 2D, black and white animations, often about his childhood. He has produced films for mobile phones, commissioned by the Pocket Shorts scheme, funded by NESTA in 2005. He has also produced a film for Screen Yorkshire, as well as music videos and club visuals.

Andy graduated from Manchester Metropolitan University’s pioneering Interactive Arts degree in 2004.

Check out his YOUTUBE page for his animations.

Andy is a member of AYUP, an animation network, run by animators, for animators in Yorkshire and the Humber..

Andy is currently running the former Channel 4 ‘AIR’ booth at the National Media Museum in Bradford, promoting independent animators in the region. Andy took over the space in May 2008 with fellow AYUP member Jamie Evans, after Channel 4 withdrew funding, continuing the function of the booth as fishbowl-like workspace for animators, but with a focus on supporting local indie talent. The booth was renamed 'The AYUP Anim Lab'. Andy has created a website, found talent to fill the space and produced a series of videos documenting the progress of the booth, all without a budget.

So far, two one-minute films have been made, and residents are currently working on two more. The films are scheduled to be screened at this year’s Bradford Animation Festival in November, which Andy is also producing the animated ident and logo for, with Rozi Fuller.

In May 2008 Andy finished a short animated film with production funding from Screen Yorkshire, called 'Special Glue and Other Stories', which he wrote, animated, directed and produced. The film has been submitted to major film festivals.

Andy’s films have been shown on BBC2, Channel M and the Community Channel, along with festivals worldwide.

His films have won awards at Dublin's Darklight Festival and Texas' DCI Mobile Content Fest. His film 'Evil Fun With Zimmy' was shortlisted for Noise Festival in 2006, being screened at Urbis and the ICA in London.

As well as animation, Andy self-published, 'The Hexjibber Colouring and Activity Book' in 2006, which is now available on Amazon and independent bookshops across the UK. In 2007 he organized a giant interactive colouring-in event in a shopping centre, for Leeds' pioneering cultural event, Light Night, organized by Leeds City Council.

Andy recently produced a series of illustrations for an interactive, site specific game, using innovative mobile phone technology, based at the BBC’s White City site, called ‘Five Trees Forest’.

Check out his YOUTUBE page for his animations.

If you want to contact Andy about his work, commissions, or anything else, he welcomes mail at pjboysyko@yahoo.co.uk

You can also say hello to him via Myspace HERE.

If you like Andy's work, please consider visiting his online store.