ANIMATE Helston is an annual week-long celebration of animation during the February half-term, the idea started with the charity Mor Media which was formed in Cornwall back in 2002 and aims to improve the lives around them with the art of film.

The charity has worked In partnership with the Museum of Cornish Life and Falmouth University, they have collaborated since 2019 on the idea of ANIMATE Helston. This year there will be looking at automatons with a focus on models, CG, and games.

The event ​will take place from 11-19th February, let's take a look at what activities are on offer:

Exhibition of Automata - 1st February- 11th March

It started at the beginning of the month but will run right through until March.

As part of Animate Helston, they are loaning a collection of wonderful automata from Falmouth Art Gallery, Go and see these mechanical moving marvels.

Family Fun Workshops

Let your imagination run wild at these free bookable workshops from 10.30-12noon & 1.30-3 pm on selected dates.

Wednesday 15 Feb: Shadow lanterns with Open The Box Arts

Screenings at the Museum- Saturday 11th of February to Saturday 18th February

The Museum will be running a FREE Pop-Up cinema with their giant screen in the Drill Hall and screens in the school room and toy shop. All programmed by Mor Media with the films will run throughout each day through the week.

You can also visit one of their screens at Denzils Den to enjoy Kara Kana (Love to Sing in Kernewek) a series of animated children's songs to help children sing and rhyme in Cornish.

Screenings at CAST Tuesday 14th to Saturday 18th February

This year they will once again be showing a family feature-length film at the museum's neighbour CAST, screening will be available at 10.30 am, 1.30 pm, and 3.30 pm on the dates above.

The screening will be the film: My Neighbor Totoro - Two young girls, 10-year-old Satsuki and her 4-year-old sister Mei, move into a house in the country with their father to be closer to their hospitalized mother. Satsuki and Mei discover that the nearby forest is inhabited by magical creatures called Totoros. They soon befriend these Totoros and have several magical adventures.

You can find out more about the charity here: Mor Media.

More information about the event and the museum is also available here: museumofcornishlife.