I'm Mariana, a Portuguese freelance animation director and associate lecturer based in London.  I’ve worked as an animator and animation director across a range of mediums from 2D digital animation to cut-outs, stop motion and After Effects animation. In my work I like to explore the hidden corners of inner worlds and lived experiences. I've worked as a freelance animator in commercials, short format fiction and documentary animated films and as a compositing artist for a 2D/3D mixed-media animated TV series for a major broadcaster. In addition to my animation work I am also an Associate Lecturer at the University of the Arts London, and I've worked at Westminster University as a visiting lecturer as well.

Mariana Leal

I'm Mariana, a Portuguese freelance animation director and associate lecturer based in London.  I’ve worked as an animator and animation director across a range of mediums from 2D digital animation to cut-outs, stop motion and After Effects animation. In my work I like to explore the hidden corners of inner worlds and lived experiences. I've worked as a freelance animator in commercials, short format fiction and documentary animated films and as a compositing artist for a 2D/3D mixed-media animated TV series for a major broadcaster. In addition to my animation work I am also an Associate Lecturer at the University of the Arts London, and I've worked at Westminster University as a visiting lecturer as well.

Available to hire

I’m Mariana, a Portuguese freelance animation director and associate lecturer based in London. 
I’ve worked as an animator and animation director across a range of mediums from 2D digital animation to cut-outs, stop motion and After Effects animation. In my work I like to explore the hidden corners of inner worlds and lived experiences. I’ve worked as a freelance animator in commercials, short format fiction and documentary animated films and as a compositing artist for a 2D/3D mixed-media animated TV series for a major broadcaster.
In addition to my animation work I am also an Associate Lecturer at the University of the Arts London, and I’ve worked at Westminster University as a visiting lecturer as well.

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Language

English
Fluent
Portuguese
Fluent
German
Advanced
French
Intermediate

Work Experience

Visiting Practitioner and Associate Lecturer at University of the Arts London
September 1, 2022 - Present
Visiting Practitioner and Associate Lecturer delivering tutorials and mentoring on the BA Animation course; involved in coordinating the Visual Effects module and supporting curricula for BA Animation, BA Graphic Design and BA Illustration. Technical teaching assistant for BA Animation, MA Animation and BA Design for Branded Spaces; involved in delivering the Visual Effects module to first‑year BA Animation students.
2D Animator at Tyke Productions
March 1, 2023 - November 30, 2023
Worked as a 2D animator for the documentary short film Plunge (2024) directed by Ellie land.
Animation Director/ 2D Animator at UK Youth
January 1, 2026 - February 20, 2026
Directed and animated the Thriving Minds animation commissioned by UK Youth as part of their Thriving Minds campaign to make mental health literacy accessible to youth workers.
Compositing Artist at Blink Industries
September 30, 2024 - September 3, 2025
Worked as an. After Effects compositing artist for a 2D/3D mixed media animated TV series for a major broadcaster
Animation Director/Paper Cut-Out Animator at Animate Projects
April 12, 2025 - August 1, 2025
Directed and animated the short film Making It Fit (2025) commissioned by Animate Projects in response to the Death Positive movement and in collaboration with social anthropologist Dr. Hannah Rumble.

Education

Master of Arts in Film Studies (Philosophy Pathway) at King's College London
September 1, 2020 - January 1, 2022
Bachelor of Arts in Animation at University of the Arts London
September 1, 2017 - June 30, 2020

Qualifications

DAAD Scholarship
January 1, 2017 - January 1, 2017

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Education, Professional Services, Software & Internet, Non-Profit Organization