'Nowadays kids use cine-cameras just like pencils or crayons - as a tool to say things with. Cartoons used to be highly expensive and professional, now children make them at school. There's no Hollywood film business mystique about making films any more... and that's good,' said Ted Rockley, 22-year-old prizewinner.
Tony Cash reports on the prize-winning films from the 5th International Animated Film Contest for Young People, organised by John Halas, sponsored by BBCtv, ICOGRADA and ASIFA.
Earlier this year, on 20 March, the seven judges assembled in a Wardour Street projection theatre. Ahead of them stretched a two-day viewing session. They saw 47 films, 8mm and 16mm, from seven different countries - all on the theme of European Architectural Heritage Year.
How young people view the world emerged very clearly. There were films featuring wicked bulldozers and brave castles, evil property developers and family pets. One film starred an accident-prone character who won a fishing competition, another a solid citizen called Mr Protest, who went to the Prime Minister. The youngest prizewinner was only 12, the oldest 22.
In this programme you can see all the winning films, and meet the jury and some of the young film-makers.