Oscar nomination for York St John graduate

A former York St John University student was the production manager on an animation ‘Head Over Heels’ that has just received an Academy Award nomination for best animated short.

Lizzie Bull graduated from York St John in 2010. Staff and students at the University are very excited about the news that a film that Lizzie worked on has been nominated for an Academy Award. Senior lecturer in Film & Television Production, Dr. Steve Rawle, said: “Lizzie showed great promise while she was at York St John University. She always came across as a dedicated, critical and enthusiastic filmmaker who took the best from all parts of her joint honours in film studies and film and television production. We are all looking forward to the Oscars now and would be thrilled if ‘Head Over Heels’ won an Academy Award, Lizzie really deserves it. ”

‘Head Over Heels’ is a 10-minute stop motion animation. Its world premiere was in 2012 at the Cannes Film Festival, since then it has won Oscar-qualifying grand prizes at Anima Mundi, Heartland Film Festival, and Austin Film Festival.  The film tells the story of Walter and Madge. After many years of marriage, the couple have grown apart: he lives on the floor and she lives on the ceiling. When Walter tries to reignite their old romance, their equilibrium comes crashing down, and the couple that can’t agree which way is up must find a way put their marriage back together.

Commenting on the nomination, Lizzie said: "We are all so excited that Head Over Heels has been nominated for an Oscar. We had a fantastically talented team who worked incredibly hard on the project. Some of the crew, myself included, will be flying out to LA to support our Director and Producer who will be attending the ceremony and to also soak up the Oscar atmosphere"

Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2012 will be presented on 24 February 2013, at the Dolby Theatre™ at Hollywood & Highland Center®, and televised live on the ABC Television Network. The Oscar presentation will also be televised live in more than 225 countries worldwide.