Free Animation Software: A Cloth Cat Guide

To an absolute beginner, even dipping your toes into the world of animation can seem like a very daunting prospect. You may have tried doodling in the corner of a sketchbook and flicking through the pages to see your drawings come to life. Perhaps you’ve used your camera or smartphone to explore the limitless potential of stop-motion animation? These days, the fun definitely doesn’t have to stop there! In addition, it doesn’t have to break the bank.
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We’ve compiled a list of our favourite free animation software, which you can download and start using today! Whether you’re a young animation fan discovering the process of animating for yourself, an animation student, a recent graduate looking to make your first independent film, or even a professional animator working in the industry, this plentiful resource of free software is available for you to explore!

Ethel & Ernest on BBC iPlayer

Ethel & Ernest is currently available to watch on iPlayer! We’re proud to have worked with Lupus Films on such a high-profile project here at Cloth Cat. Our talented team did an amazing job bringing Raymond’s iconic look to life.
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​Ethel & Ernest is a beautiful and touching animated feature film based on Raymond Briggs’ classic graphic novel. Starring Oscar-winning actor Jim Broadbent and Oscar-nominated Brenda Blethyn in the title roles, and featuring a specially written track by Paul McCartney, Ethel & Ernest is marked as an important, ambitious and unique project for animation.

Production Traineeship

Cloth Cat Academy is delighted to announce that we are currently looking for talented, enthusiastic and dedicated new animators to step into the heart of our independent studio here in Cardiff. The production will run for 8 weeks, from 29th September to 21st November 2025.
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Six successful candidates will gain invaluable experience being mentored as Moho animators on a short film project that will be broadcast this Christmas on S4C. The project is supported by Creative Wales and S4C as part of their commitment to develop training and skills in Wales.
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Follow the link to read the full job description and to find out more about the candidate requirements. The deadline for applications is 5th September, so there's still time to apply!

Cloth Cat Academy

Are you an animator? Are you looking to upskill? Do you want to learn from the best? The Cloth Cat Academy Autumn term begins in September, so make sure to book your place today to guarantee a space on the course!
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Our Toon Boom and Moho animation tutors Dani Abram and Sean Francis will be back to share more of their industry-specific knowledge. Our Storyboarding tutor Benedict Tomczyk-Bowen will also be teaching his programme here at Cloth Cat HQ in October. Full information on all of our upcoming courses is available on our website.​

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If you're interested in attending an Academy course, you can register your interest here. Be sure to check the support section on our website in order to check your eligibility for any bursary funding. Applicants living in Wales are eligible for a 50% discount!
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Screen Skills, Media Cymru, Ymddiried and ReAct+ also offer a selection of funding opportunities if you meet their criteria. Please ensure that you have left enough time when applying for any external funding in order for your applications to be processed prior to the start of your course!

Crybaby: Celebrating the Success of Eleri Edwards

Here at Cloth Cat we believe in nurturing the strengths of our talented team by investing time in training and R&D for personal development. When Eleri approached us for support with her project, we were more than delighted to help. Crybaby is an eleven-minute, 2D animated short film about autism and the overwhelm that can be caused by negative internal voices. Follow the link below to find out more about Eleri’s inspiring journey with Biggerhouse Film.

Inbetweens: Queer Animation Screening

Together with Skwigly and Chapter, Cardiff Animation Festival presented us with a wonderful programme of queer animated short films. The selection, thoughtfully assembled, represented a diverse array of artistic voices and narrative techniques, highlighting the remarkable breadth of innovation currently at play in contemporary LGBTQIA+ animation. From tender, introspective character studies to conceptually daring experimentation, each work in the line-up demonstrated animation’s unique ability to bridge emotion, imagination, and skilful technique.
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The event drew a vibrant and engaged audience, generating an atmosphere of genuine enthusiasm and shared appreciation. Originally shown in Bristol, Inbetweens was a collective celebration of creativity and diversity, underscoring the importance of community in sustaining and elevating unique queer voices. It was particularly heartening to witness such palpable support for both emerging and established queer animators and narratives here in Wales. Thank you Cardiff Animation Festival!

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Coming out Autistic by Steven Fraser

Dear Nana by Han Nguyen

Doll Searching by Felix Cheng

Confusion of the Afternoon by Yung-Chieh Lee

Récit De Soi by Géraldine Charpentier

07:00 by Benji Neville

Pipes by Jessica Meier, Kilian Feusi, Sujanth Ravichandran

Seasons by Elise Nickerson

Falling For Greta by Gustavo Arteaga

The Secret Lives of Lesbians’ Cats by Kate Jessop

Blooming by Efa Blosse-Mason / Sophie Marsh

Frogsporn by Rosanna Verdon-Roe

The Eating of an Orange by May Kindred-Boothby

Hide and Seek by Junjie Xu

Two Black Boys in Paradise by Baz Sells

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Just as a reminder, submissions for the 2026 Cardiff Animation Festival are still open! Click here to find out more details about their submission criteria and how you can go about submitting your film for their consideration. The final deadline for submissions is 22nd September 2025.

What Are We Watching and Playing?

WATCHING

​KPop Demon Hunters​

​The Thursday Murder Club​

​King of the Hill​

​Poirot​

​The Naked Gun​

​King and Conqueror​

​Wednesday​

​The Assassin​

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PLAYING

​Genesis Noir​

​Expedition 33​

​Donkey Kong Bonanza​

​Anno 1800​

​Fe​

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