János Halász (John Halas), who was born in Budapest and was director of the 1954 version of Animal Farm, is considered by film history to be the father of British animation. He emigrated to England on the eve of the Second World War, leaving the Budapest Coloriton commercial film studio comprising the trio of Macskássy, Kassowitz and Halász. Together with his wife, Joy Batchelor, they set up a studio in London in 1940. In their works they kept pace with the latest technical innovations and it was their belief that animation is one of the truly creative tools of culture and education. Vivien Halas, their daughter, is guest of the festival.