Were you astounded by Avatar? Got carried away by Up? Fascinated by The Fantastic Mr Fox? Thanks to Hollywood, the animation industry has been getting an increasingly high profile on the big screen in recent months, but it’s not just about what's happening across the pond. The homegrown animation scene is booming and this February there’s a chance to have your say as the British Animation Awards 2010 come to town.

Hosted by University College Falmouth's BA (Hons) Digital Animation, three nights of screenings are taking place at The Poly in Falmouth where you get your chance to watch and vote on the best British animation around today. Alongside 26 other venues around the country, The Poly will be showing 35 films over the 9, 11 and 23 February and then the audiences will be asked to vote for their winners in the categories of animated commercials, music video and film.

It's the first time that the College has hosted the Public Choice section of the Awards and offers Cornwall a great opportunity to share their thoughts on the burgeoning animation industry in the UK. "To many people, animation brings to mind Pixar or Disney," explains Andy Wyatt, Course Leader on BA (Hons) Digital Animation at Falmouth, "however there are many more animators producing pioneering work that we rarely have a chance to view on the big screen."

Having the Public Choice British Animation Awards come to The Poly in Falmouth not only gives us all an opportunity to do just that, it also demonstrates just how fundamental the beloved Poly is to the fabric of Falmouth's creative community. Recently closed and much missed, there are active Facebook campaigns to bring back The Poly and the hope on the street is that the hosting of these awards in the arts centre could be an indication that The Poly still has a future ahead of it, as a community, creative and media venue available for hire.

Screenings take place from 8pm on the 9, 11, 23 February, and cost £5. All of the money raised from ticket sales will be donated to The Poly to help sustain a programme of innovative cultural events during 2010.  To get hold of your ticket call 01326 313388 or visit the gift shop at National Maritime Museum Cornwall in Falmouth’s Events Square.