The Snail and the Whale (film)

The Snail and the Whale is a 2019 British-South African short computer-animated TV film, directed by Max Lang and Daniel Snaddon, and produced by Michael Rose and Martin Pope of Magic Light Pictures, in association with Triggerfish Animation Studios where the film was animated.^[1]

The Snail and the Whale
Poster for The Snail and the Whale
Based on	The Snail and the Whale by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler
Written by	Max Lang Suzanne Lang
Directed by	Max Lang Daniel Snaddon
Starring	Sally Hawkins Rob Brydon Cariad Lloyd Emma Tate Arnold Brown Max Lang
Narrated by	Diana Rigg
Theme music composer	René Aubry
Country of origin	United Kingdom South Africa
Original language	English
Production
Producers	Martin Pope Michael Rose
Running time	30 minutes (approx.)
Production companies	Magic Light Pictures Triggerfish Animation Studios
Original release
Network	BBC One
Release	25 December 2019 (2019-12-25)
Related
Zog

The short film is based on the 2003 picture book written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler. The voices of the main characters include Dame Diana Rigg, Sally Hawkins and Rob Brydon. The special premiered on BBC One in the U.K. for Christmas 2019.^[2]

Plot

The Snail and the Whale follows the amazing journey of a tiny snail who longs to see the world and hitches a ride on the tail of a friendly humpback whale. A joyous, empowering story about the natural wonders of the world and discovering that no matter how small you are, you can make a difference.

Voice cast

• Diana Rigg as Narrator^[3]
• Sally Hawkins as Snail
• Rob Brydon as Humpback whale
• Cariad Lloyd as Teacher
• Arnold Brown and Emma Tate as the snail flock
• Max Lang as the Fish in the Sea
• William Barber, David Cummings, Charlotte-Davis Black, Emmy Dowers and Mia Wilks as the school children

Broadcast

The special premiered on BBC One at 2:30 PM in the UK on Christmas Day 2019 and was watched by 4 million viewers.^{[citation needed]}

Accolades

Year	Presenter/Festival	Award/Category	Status
2020	New York International Children's Film Festival	Audience Award, Ages 3–5	Won[4]
	British Animation Awards	Best Voice Performance (Sally Hawkins)	Won[5]
	Banff Rockie Awards	Best Children’s Animation	Won[6]
	Venice TV awards	Children/Youth	Won[7]
	Sapporo International Short Film Festival & Market	Action / Adventure	Won[8]
	British Animation Awards	Best Longform and Best Use of Sound	Nominated[9]
	Annecy International Animated Film Festival	TV category	Nominated[10]
	Cleveland International Film Festival	Official Selection	Nominated[11]
	Annie Awards	Best Animated Special Production	Won[12]
2022	British Academy Children's Awards	Animation	Won[13]
		Best Director (Max Lang, Daniel Snaddon)	Won
		Best Writer (Max Lang, Suzanne Lang)	Nominated