Smallfilms

Smallfilms is a British independent animation studio founded in 1958 by Oliver Postgate and Peter Firmin. Based in London, it specialized in stop-motion animated children's television and became known for its quaint, low-tech aesthetic and gently humorous storytelling. The studio produced a number of landmark series for the BBC, often using simple puppets, felt, and clay, with minimal dialogue and narration provided by Postgate.

Notable works include Ivor the Engine (1958–1959), The Clangers (1969–1974), Bagpuss (1974), Noggin the Nog (1980–1981), and Ping (1986). The Clangers, a blue, mouse-like family living on a tiny planet, became particularly influential and is regarded as a classic of British animation. Bagpuss, a saggy orange cat-like figure who presides over a curious shop, became an emblem of 1970s children’s television. Ivor the Engine presented a talking locomotive and his rural adventures, while Noggin the Nog offered a fantasy medieval world. Ping continued the studio’s tradition of short, self-contained episodes.

The firm’s work is characterized by economical production methods, a warm, human scale, and a strong narrative voice, often delivered by Postgate himself. Smallfilms contributed significantly to early British stop-motion animation and helped establish a template for children’s programming that emphasized storytelling and atmosphere over spectacle.

The studio’s productions remain influential, frequently cited for their craftsmanship and storytelling, and have maintained a dedicated following. Their body of work has seen revivals, reissues, and continued appreciation within the history of British television animation.