Enlivening our imaginations
About Press Play Films C.I.C.
Press Play Films Press Play Films was founded in 2016 by animator and qualified teacher Lara Meyric Hughes. Our aim is to ensure animation production, digital media training and arts education is accessible to everyone.
We want to relieve poverty, financial hardship and other inequalities through our work. We teach new digital skills such as stop motion animation, 2-d animation, podcasting and video production. These skills might not otherwise be available for people to learn because of financial constraints or health limitations. We provide safe and enriching spaces so everyone can grow in creative confidence. We also train teachers in primary and secondary schools to enable them to extend this work. We specialise in working with people who identify as being autistic, dyslexic or having ADHD, ODD and other special
educational needs.
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Our work aims to account for and raise awareness about important questions of health, wellbeing and inclusivity. We facilitate research projects in the community which employ film and animation production as both research method and project data.
We are committed to ensuring that financial or health constraints don’t prevent anyone from learning with us. Most of our work is fully funded and provided by us free of charge. Occasionally we offer paid for activities with easily available concession rates. All money from these paid courses goes directly back into the C.I.C, contributing to our goal of running for public benefit.
Our charitable purpose document outlines our goals here.
Meet the team
Lara Meyric Hughes
Director and SEND Lead
Lara is an artist, videographer and animator with 20 years experience working in animation studios, including with Blue Zoo, Fudge and Jelly Fish Productions. Lara setup PPF in 2016 when she moved to Sussex with 2 small children. Lara has a strong interest in the capacity of art, animation and film to benefit the social, educational and creative lives of others and this has led to an increasing focus on working with young people with SEND and other complex needs. Lara has has recently completed Levels 1 and 2, NCFE CACHE Certificates in Counselling to strengthen this offering.
Eleanor Walford
Associate Director and School Curriculum Lead
Ellie is a bilingual teacher and teacher trainer with over 20 years’ experience in education and the arts in the UK and Spain. Ellie is a trained primary school teacher specialising in literacy, EAL and second-language acquisition. Ellie has an interest in and strong understanding of the National Curriculum, at all Key Stages, and works to turn creative animation ideas into school learning programmes. As well as working with us, Ellie currently teaches part- time at a school in Hove and lectures at the University of
Chichester.
Grace Hughes
Learning and Engagement Manager and Workshop Leader
Grace has a background in art and design and art has always been a crucial factor to Grace in facilitating self-expression. Grace has worked for PPF for 6 years and has “had the pleasure to take children on a journey which cultivates their creativity but also fosters problem-solving skills and encourages a lifelong appreciation for the arts and animation. Grace is often found creating beautifully crafted clay models for children’s animations or getting stuck into set design!
Lucie Simon
Food Partner and Workshop Leader
Lucie is a qualified nutritional therapist following training at the College of Naturopathic Medicine. Lucie provides delicious hot, heathy lunches, snacks and popcorn at many of our workshops. Lucie also runs cookery and juicing sessions with children. Lucie also heads up the food company Feel Good Food.
Iain Paxon
Workshop Leader
Iain has a background in youth work and extensive experience overseeing workshops with children. He is a sound and visual artist with an interest in the use of story-telling, visual narrative and free improvisation. Iain loves a run around and can be counted on to start a game of football with children at lunchtime! Some of his work can be seen here.
Meet our board of advisors
Jenny Patterson
Jenny is a qualified accountant (CIMA) with 25 years’ experience working in finance departments for arts charities and education organisations in the public and private sectors.
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Her role on Press Play Films’ advisory board combines her passion for education with her experience of sustainable organisational growth, enabling her to strategically support Lara and the team in growing the organisation whilst maintaining financial stability.
Jenny shares Press Play Films’ vision of using creative expression as a pathway to wellbeing, recognising how the arts can transform young lives and strengthen communities through meaningful engagement and skill development.
Ezra Moran Adams
My name is Ezra and I am an animation graduate aspiring to work full time in the industry. I have helped Lara on workshops on a few occasions and very much enjoy and respect the work the Press Play Films does to inspire young people to pursue art and especially animation!
Sarah Strachan
I’m delighted to be part of the advisory panel of Press Play Films. My background is in art education, with over 25 years experience teaching in schools.
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I currently lead a school Art Department, overseeing A Level courses in Art, Photography, and Textiles, and have recently established a foundation course to support students as they transition into further creative study.
My passion lies in increasing young people’s participation in the arts, particularly through accessible, grassroots initiatives. I’ve developed a range of outreach projects in local Brighton primary schools and founded an art camp as part of the Elderflower Fields festival.
Who we’ve worked with
"Following my two daughters' attendance at a couple of Press Play Films' workshops we jumped at the chance to book them for a 9th Birthday party, it was the best experience by far. Communication couldn't have been easier and everything was taken care of. All we had to do was provide the food and drink, which was completely stress free as the children were so engrossed in their productions. Lara was amazing, both professional and personable. Every single guest thoroughly enjoyed all aspects of the party. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend for girls and boys parties, ages 7 and up. "
"It was incredible to see the results! Lara’s workshop totally engaged my son in a highly enjoyable couple of creative days. He was thrilled to work beside his friend and produce something so satisfying as a real little film of their own."
Valerie
"My son's loved this and would love to do more, we crammed a lot into 3 hours but it would be great to do longer."
Liz"Press Play Films took up our offer to participate in the Lewes STEMfair 2017, adapting their activity to suit our requirements under a tight timetable... They delivered to budget with no hidden costs. A wide-ranging activity covering animation from its origins to modern technology was offered to the children attending. This was keenly enjoyed... I would recommend them without hesitation."
Burt"My son attended a workshop during the half term this year and since then has become hooked on animation. He thoroughly enjoys learning new animation techniques, and I'm delighted that he is using his passion for technology in a very creative way. Lara has encouraged him to try new ideas and experiment, and he has also enjoyed working with new friends. I thoroughly recommend the workshops."
Lucy"It was a FANTASTIC course and now I am doing loads of animations at home"
Finlay
(age 10)
"My son loves going to Animation Club and we have really enjoyed watching the products - it is marvellous to see what the children’s imaginations can produce... Lara gives them the independence to explore their creativity using media of their choice... Thank you for providing such a brilliant activity!"
Quincy"I highly recommend these wonderfully inspiring, educational and fun day workshops with Lara. My son has loved these classes and has gone on to create amazing animations at home that I could never imagine being able to do myself!"
Leonora"My son joined Lara’s animation club last year, aged 8, and has raved about it the whole time. I am staggered by the quality of the animations produced... I really recommend Lara’s club to any budding film makers."
Sian
Lara and team are all fully DBS/CRB checked.