25-28 April 2024

EIKO MEREDITH

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Born 1977,  Hiroshima, Japan, Eiko studied English and International Studies at the Faculty of International Studies, Hiroshima City University. During her studies, in 2000, Eiko began volunteering at the Hiroshima International Animation Festival, where she was later promoted to part-time staff. Whilst there, she learned first hand what it takes to organise a successful animation festival. She then decided to study animation at the Graduate School of Art, Hiroshima City University. Continuing her studies, she also completed a course on Stop-Motion Animation at The Three Month Bristol Animation Course, University of the West of England, Faculty of Art, Media and Design. Back in Japan, alongside her part-time lecturing in Animation at Hiroshima International University and Hiroshima Art Vocational School, she also taught English to both adults and children.

 

After finally moving to the UK in 2008, work then took priority, with projects including Shaun the Sheep (Aardman Animation, 2008), Igam Ogam (Calon TV, 2008), Fantastic Mr Fox (3 Miles Studio, 2008), Zoo Factor (Calon TV, 2009) and the feature film Frankenweenie (Tim Burton, 2011).

 

After moving to South Wales, she missed having a local animation festival so much that in 2010 she set up the Kotatsu Festival, the only Japanese-themed animation festival in Wales. Always keen to promote Japanese culture, in July 2017 she gave a talk about the history of Japanese animation at MLANG, Cardiff University, as part of the Japanese Culture and Language Day.