AWUK Volunteers

Nia Alavezos is a storyteller based in Cardiff, Wales. At the moment she is a Production Coordinator at Sun & Moon Studios. She recently made the great pilgrimage across the pond from sunny Los Angeles to pursue her dreams of living abroad.

Before packing her bags and deciding to leave America behind, Nia was a Production Coordinator at DreamWorks Animation TV; working on The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants for Netflix. Previously she was at Renegade Animation, where she was a Coordinator on The Tom and Jerry Show for Cartoon Network and Warner Bros. Studios. Nia's also worked at BuzzFeed as an Editorial Fellow, learning about their editorial process while focusing on social sharing and viral media; not to mention becoming an expert at creating cat gifs.

Jolien Buijs is a Line Producer at Union Visual Effects. She has worked on a range of Films and Television Series including the Oscar-nominated The Two Popes and the blockbuster Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again!

Before moving into VFX production she was Head of Development for an independent production company where she helped produce several genre films and documentaries. She has a Diploma in Script Development from the NFTS.

Originally from the Netherlands, Jolien lived in Madrid and Los Angeles before making her home in London. When she’s not working she loves writing, reading, gaming and travelling.

Niki is a London based 2D animator and rigger. She has a BA Hons Degree in 2D Animation. She started her career in Dublin, Ireland where she worked with studios like Boulder Media, Giant Animation, Jam Media, Treehouse Republic, and Kavaleer Productions.

She has been working in the industry for 10 years.

Niki is currently working as a Toon Boom Harmony rigger on Blue-Zoo Animation's first 2D TV show for Nickelodeon. She is also a mentor with AccessVFX.

Carrie started her career at Imagine Publishing (later Future Publishing) in 2014 as Production Editor and soon joined 3D Artist magazine, one of the top publications in the world for CG tutorials, behind-the-scenes access on the biggest movies, TV and games, and industry insight. She rose through the ranks quickly, becoming the youngest Editor across the company and the first POC Editor on 3D Artist magazine - all the while focusing on improving awareness of diversity and inclusion within the VFX, animation and games industries. She was also one of the founding creative minds behind Future Publishing’s Vertex event, curating the schedule and hosting the first event in London.

She left publishing in 2018, joining Outpost VFX to co-ordinate PR and marketing across the company’s worldwide studios.

She is currently Content Marketing Lead at digital agency Electropages Media.

She is a proud alumni of the Bournemouth University Multimedia Journalism course and has also written articles for critically acclaimed magazines and books covering sci-fi, games, technology, music, food and travel. She is a keen foodie.

Shannon is a Production Coordinator at LoveLove Films, an independent animation studio based in Bournemouth, Dorset. She has worked on a range of LoveLove Films’ productions including their videos for TRESemmé and Ordnance Survey, as well as assisting with the development of their pre-school series Pop Paper City. In 2017, Shannon graduated with a BA in Scriptwriting for Film and TV from Bournemouth University, and went on to study an MA in Producing at the same university.

Alongside volunteering for Animated Women UK, Shannon has also been a blogger at the Children’s Media Conference and given a number of talks to students at the Royal Television Society’s ‘Meet the Professionals’ events. Away from film and animation, Shannon loves to read and walk her two dogs.

Cara is currently lead animator at digital marketing agency Content OD. She is a MArt Animation graduate of Sheffield Hallam University, where she has also recently taken on the role of associate lecturer in 2D animation. Her passion for traditional and hands-on animation techniques reaches into her downtime too, as she provides workshop support at Flycheese, a Sheffield based stop-motion studio that gives a creative outlet for those with disabilities. Outside of animation, she is an avid reader and gamer.