LONDON.- Tate announced yesterday the launch of the interactive website and national roadshow of the Tate Movie Project. Children from across the country are invited to take part in creating the Tate Movie, the first of its kind, an animation film made by and for children.

The Tate Movie Project truck takes to the road this weekend on a national three month tour of production workshops. The truck will travel to 55 locations across the UK. It will visit primary schools, family events and festivals and will tour to every region of the UK. The truck folds out into a state of the art creative learning studio, complete with sound studio space, computers and a screening facility, all of which can be cleared away for workshops and activities. The children will work with artists and film-makers in the truck who will deliver hundreds of production workshops, using great artworks as a source of inspiration.

At the heart of the Tate Movie Project is the website www.tatemovie.co.uk. Children will be able to be involved in the whole movie making process online, from the hand-drawn characters and plot twists, down to costumes and sound effects. When children enter the website they are welcomed by Ronnie, the animated “Movie Director”, alongside a host of other cartoon characters who will guide them through the process. The website has been designed to appeal to children aged 5-13 and will enable them to explore animation, scripting, editing and sound effects. Their creations and contributions to the movie are uploaded directly onto the website where they can interact with all the activities and resources it provides.

The vast bank of material created over coming months will be brought together by Tate, Aardman and Fallon in the most impressive way possible using the latest animation technology.

The next stage of group activities will be workshops that take place from October 2010 – March 2011 at a network of partner galleries across the UK. Full details of The Tate Movie truck’s tour is posted on the website at www.tatemovie.co.uk

The finished film will be broadcast on BBC TV in mid-2011. Meanwhile, CBBC’s Blue Peter will be following the real-life production process and encouraging kids to get involved.

It is hoped that up to a million children will be involved in the project as a whole.

The project has been made possible through £3million of funding from Legacy Trust UK, and will become part of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad. BP, as one of the Premier Partners of the Cultural Olympiad, is providing further sponsorship and practical support to the education programme underpinning the project. As well as broadcast support, BBC Learning are producing fun, accessible resources for kids and teachers alike.

Nicholas Serota, Director, Tate said: “Showcasing the vivid imaginations of kids, The Tate Movie project will use great artworks to inspire 5-13 year olds nationwide to contribute their ideas to an animated movie. We hope that over one million children will be involved in The Tate Movie and we will help them to draw on their imaginations, lives and communities whilst developing their visual literacy, and inspiring the artists of the future.”

Dugald Mackie, Chair of Legacy Trust UK said: “Legacy Trust UK is delighted that the Tate Movie has launched today. It will enable children to participate in creating a film like no other, and encourage them to engage in the London 2012 experience. The partners that are delivering the Tate Movie are bringing a unique and exciting opportunity to children across the UK, and creating a lasting legacy for everyone involved.

The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games are not just about sport, and The Tate Movie project can help not only to engage children in cultural and creative activities in the run up to London 2012, but also to give creative professionals the opportunity to play an important role in placing the UK on the world map as a cultural leader.”

Andy Akinwolere, Blue Peter Presenter, said: "We're giving children an amazing opportunity to see their drawings, jokes, ideas and characters come to life as part of this fantastic animated film. At Blue Peter, we're passionate about kids trying out new things, learning new skills and, most of all, letting their imagination loose. The Tate Movie Project is a brilliant way of doing just that"