Lily-Joy, who graduated with a BA (Hons) Animation in 2024, created Yn Shenn Dooinney as ny Ferrishyn (The Old Man and the Fairies, a Welsh folk tale), a beautifully crafted stop-motion film inspired by traditional Manx folklore.
The film, produced in partnership with Culture Vannin, the Isle of Man’s leading organisation dedicated to promoting, supporting and celebrating Manx culture, heritage and language, has received widespread attention, highlighting both the creativity behind the project and its role in preserving the island’s cultural heritage.
For Lily-Joy the recognition marks another milestone in a career that combines creativity, storytelling and a passion for championing the Isle of Man’s unique identity.
Reflecting on her achievement, she said: “I’m proud to have developed my skills at Edge Hill and I’m looking forward to seeing where else they can take me in the future.”
Lily-Joy first developed her love for stop-motion animation during her time at Edge Hill and built the confidence to pursue opportunities within the creative industries.
“A guest lecture in my third year ended up being a real turning point for me. I chatted with a visiting speaker who had links to Mackinnon and Saunders, which turned out to be my dream studio. That five minutes turned into more! The conversation wouldn’t have happened without Edge Hill and it really solidified my passion for the craft and set me on the path I needed to take.”
Speaking about her time at Edge Hill, Lily-Joy said: “Animation is all about communicating ideas and emotion through visuals. Those storytelling skills are something I now use every day, whether that’s through my professional role or creating my own animation projects.”
Looking back on her time at Edge Hill, Lily-Joy credits the University’s supportive community with helping her thrive academically and personally. Alongside graduating with a First Class degree, she immersed herself in university life, serving as secretary and treasurer of the Anime Society, representing her peers as an animation course representative, working on campus and even studying Mandarin through the Confucius Institute.
She also benefitted from a range of student support services that helped her make the most of her university experience. Lily-Joy accessed mental health support, careers guidance, financial and budgeting advice through UniSkills in the Catalyst and specialist dyslexia support. As a member of Edge Hill’s Care Leavers, Care Experienced and Estranged Student Community, she found a strong sense of belonging, while her involvement in the University’s Widening Access and Participation Student Advisory Panel gave her the opportunity to help shape initiatives that continue to support future students.
Lily-Joy said: “Community and connections are without a doubt, the best thing about Edge Hill for me. I made friendships through societies and my part-time job on campus, Edge Hill gave me a real sense of belonging. There was always somewhere to find your people, whether that was through a shared hobby, a society or simply meeting familiar faces around campus.”
As Lily-Joy balances a successful communications career with a growing reputation as a stop-motion filmmaker, she continues to demonstrate how the creativity, resilience and connections she developed at Edge Hill are helping her make a lasting impact, professionally and culturally.
Here’s a video of Lily-Joy talking about her time spent at Edge Hill.
Find out more about studying animation at Edge Hill University.
July 16, 2026
