The Manchester College students shortlisted for Manchester Publicity Association Awards

Two of The Manchester College’s Animation students, Lily Curbishley and Ray Effendi, have been announced as finalists for a Manchester Publicity Association (MPA) award.

Lily and Ray have been shortlisted for the MPA’s inaugural College Student Award. The students are the only finalists in their category, guaranteeing that the first-ever College Student Award winner will be from the College.

Lily is in her second year of the Motion Design and Animation in Partnership with Flow course at the College’s Industry Excellence Academy. Lily discussed her reaction to being nominated: "To have only been a year into my course at the time and already given an opportunity like this was surreal."

Creative Media Tutor, Katy Rushton, encouraged Lily to nominate herself. Katy highlighted: “Lily is creative, motivated, and incredibly resilient.

“Lily has embraced wider opportunities. For example, she has produced animations for Starling, an arts-based charity for neurodivergent young people. She has also undertaken an industry placement with Kilogramme Animation and received glowing feedback from the award-winning studio.”

The second finalist, Ray, was nominated during the second year of studying for a Diploma in Creative Media Production and Technology with a specialism in Animation. Katy also encouraged Ray’s nomination and spoke highly of her naturally inquisitive mind and first-rate artistic ability.

Katy added:

Like Lily, Ray has made the most of opportunities inside and outside the College. Ray completed work experience with the BBC, developing and pitching a campaign for the BBC show 'The Capture’. Ray was instrumental in the concept and pitch delivered by her team and was key in its success.

“On behalf of everyone at our College, I would like to congratulate Ray and Lily, and wish them the best of luck for the upcoming awards ceremony!”

The Manchester Publicity Association Awards celebrate the incredible talent across Manchester and hopes to inspire future talent, innovation, and creativity.

The ceremony will take place on Thursday 19 October 2023. 

You can find out more about our Creative and Digital Media courses and apply today.