Beschermde donatie
Introduction
Emma Calder was an Artist, Activist and Animator.
Her first animated film was completed in 1982. This was the start of a life working in independent film, books, graphic design, and as a lecturer and mentor, committed to pushing the industry in new directions and creating funding opportunities for all.
She was an indomitable character and uniquely influential.
Her last completed film, Beware of Trains (2022), funded by the BFI, has received many awards; including the Maria Lassnig prize and the Premier Prize at Tricky Women in Vienna. It is her most mature and complex work.
She had just started work on House of Love in 2024, at the top of her filmmaking power, when she was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive cancer. She was determined to finish it before she died, but near the end, it became clear she could not. She left notes, artwork, and direction with her team from Beware of Trains.
We’ve picked up where Emma left off. Her Brixton studio is alive with her spirit again. With your support, we can complete House of Love and launch the Emma Calder Foundation, to celebrate her legacy and help others create bold, independent work in her footsteps.
Please join the community and contribute what you can to help complete Emma Calder’s last film and to start the Emma Calder Foundation.
Julian Cripps, Emma Calder’s partner for 40 years and Director of Pearly Oyster Productions.
Emma and London International Animation Festival
As part of this campaign, we’re proud to collaborate with London International Animation Festival (LIAF).
Emma was a long-term friend and supporter of LIAF, involved from its very first edition 21 years ago; as a filmmaker, jury member, and committed audience member. Director Nag Vladermersky is supporting this campaign, and LIAF 2025 will host a comprehensive retrospective of Emma’s work. Our hope is that House of Love will be completed in time to premiere at LIAF as part of this tribute.
Why We Need Your Help
We're aiming to raise £15,000 to support two essential goals:
1. Finish & Release House of Love for LIAF 2025
- Complete animation, sound, post-production, and editing
- Honour Emma’s artistic vision with the highest quality production
- Secure festival entries and distribution
2. Launch the Emma Calder Foundation
- Set up stable, long-term archiving of Emma’s work
- Support artist residencies and mentorship programs
- Preserve her body of work for public access and future inspiration
Additional costs:
- £6,000 – Two server computers for archiving and production
- £1,600 – New studio laptop for rostrum and general future use
House of Love
It was Emma’s wish for the film to be completed, and a modest budget from her funds has been committed. But to ensure it’s finished to a high standard in time for the LIAF retrospective in Autumn 2025, we’re reaching out for support.
We look forward to updating you regularly at @pearly_oyster on Instagram, where we’ll share Emma’s drawings, animation teasers, and behind-the-scenes from House of Love.
The Emma Calder Foundation
This also marks the beginning of the Emma Calder Foundation, which will be a way of continuing Emma’s life’s work, through support for other filmmakers and artists. Over the next few months, we will share updates as we plan the Foundation, aiming to launch it after the completion of House of Love.
Thank you from the House of Love team
Julian Cripps
Coco Cripps
Oliver Cripps
Kate Mercer
Sofia Negri
Luke Ramsay
Harriet Titlow
Organisator en begunstigde
Harriet Titlow
Organisator
England
Julian Cripps
Begunstigde