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July 27, 2026
Very few animated short films actually make you laugh out loud, but this new film from UK character comedy master Ant Blades and Birdbox Studio in London, does it so often the 10-minute running time just seems to fly by.
Characterized by beat-perfect comic timing applied to the very relatable citizens of a dead end street, the film was curated by EPs Ben Caudell and Roya Eslami for The BBC Showcase as part of a pilot initiative “to highlight fresh, bite-sized British comedy talent on BBC Three.”
Blades, who has stated that his primary aim across all his projects is simply “to be funny”, brings all the trademarks of his previous films to The Close, including his preference for character expression and silent comedy pacing over dialogue.
Client: BBC
EP/Curator: Ben Caudell, Roya Eslami
Production: Birdbox Studio
Writer/director: Ant Blades
Producer: Myf Hopkins
Animator: Chris Bowles, Gemma Wilmott
Storyboard: Hugh La Terriere
Backgrounds: Niccolo Magni
Post Production: Outpost
Sound: Fuse Post
Music: Mike Rubino
SFX Editor: James O’Brien
