Magic Light Pictures Co-Founder Receives OBE

Michael Rose, co-founder of Magic Light Pictures, has been awarded the OBE for his services to animation.

Throughout his extensive career in the animation sector, which began in the 1980s, Rose has served as deputy chair of the British Animation Festival, program buyer for Channel Four Television and head of development at Aardman. He co-founded Magic Light in 2003 and has helped it launch hits such as The Gruffalo and Pip & Posy.

At Aardman, Rose jointly produced Nick Park’s Oscar-winning Wallace & Gromit film A Close Shave, along with other shorts and series. He set up Aardman’s feature film division and secured its multi-picture deal with DreamWorks and was executive producer of animated feature films such as Chicken Run and Wallace & Gromit Curse of the Wererabbit.

Rose co-founded Magic Light with producer Martin Pope, and together, they have built one of the U.K.’s most successful family-entertainment companies. Their films have been nominated for four Oscars and won three BAFTAs, three International Emmys, two RTS Awards and many more.