Mary and the Miners, directed by Iain Gardner for Flycatcher Films, won Best Animation at the First Light Movie Awards 2010. The film was created by forty six pupils at Cantref Primary School, a group of whom received their award from Tamsin Greig during the star studded ceremony at Leicester Square Odeon on the 2nd of March.

Eleanor Newsam, one of the youngsters involved, said she was amazed by the film. “I had great fun making it, especially using the sand on glass which is the background to the film. I was really pleased with the sound effects and the music.”

Another pupil, Noah Stuckey added: “None of us had ever experienced anything like this before. It was interesting seeing how the film evolved from us making the clay characters and recording our voices.”

The animation is based on the real life testimonies of child miners in the 19th Century.

Also nominated was Binn Bunny Goes Green made by Burntisland Primary School in Fife.

The judging panel for the Award were producer/director Rob Minkoff Stuart Little, The Lion King, production designer Terry Ackland-Snow Batman, Superman and director John Landis The Blues Brothers.

John Landis said of the film ‘This is a truly lovely piece of work. It’s beautifully made and has a big emotional impact.’

You can judge for yourself here