Surrey filmmaker celebrates remarkable run of 13 festival wins and announces next major work

Now, she’s announcing her next major work: Adventures of Joe Red, a feature-length animation about friendship, adventure, and facing real-life events together currently in production.

The project marks Sally’s first animated movie-length undertaking, pairing spontaneous comic energy with emotional truth and cinematic scale.

“It’s been a busy, bittersweet summer,” says Manning. “Since the end of July, we’ve had incredible creative momentum, but it’s also been a time of deep personal change. My father, John Clack, underwent a lower leg amputation, and I’m still processing the loss of my mother last year. Through it all, I’ve kept building Joe Red—scene by scene, frame by frame.”

The upcoming film blends heartfelt storytelling with Shampagne’s signature animation style, continuing her mission to turn adversity into art and legacy. Despite the challenges, Manning remains committed to her craft, proving that resilience and creativity can thrive side by side.

Her work spans high‑energy commercial shorts, a neon‑soaked music video rooted in lived experience, and a full‑throttle British Gangster feature. These projects combine bold visual design, character-led comedy, and emotionally honest storytelling — a combination that will interest Surrey Mirror audience of animators, producers, and industry executives.

Festival momentum: 13 awards across Stanley the Gas Dog, Losing Ace (Remix), and Gatwick Gangsters demonstrates both craft and marketability.

Cross‑genre reach: Projects range from slapstick commercial animation to politically engaged music video and feature‑length Gangster movie, offering a case study in creative versatility.

New feature announcement: Adventures of Joe Red is Sally’s first full‑length animated film — a family‑friendly adventure grounded in realistic emotional beats — positioning it as a notable indie production to watch.

Production craft: Work created in iClone 8, finished in Adobe Premiere Pro with professional colour grading and sound mixing; useful technical detail for production‑focused readership.

Industry opportunities: The studio is actively seeking distribution, co‑production partners, and animation talent, making this timely for decision‑makers scouting projects and collaborators.

Festival summary

• Stanley the Gas Dog — 7 selected; 5 awards; 2 finalists; 1 honorable mention; 26 undecided; 17 not selected
• Losing Ace (Remix) — 11 selected; 6 awards; 3 semi-finalist placements; 1 nominee; 3 honorable mentions; 26 undecided; 23 not selected
• Gatwick Gangsters (English; Greek; German; Spanish; Latin American Spanish; Brazilian Portuguese) — 4 selected; 2 awards; 4 undecided - 1 semi - finalists