Brand Spanking

Ooh, distinctive animation, that's nice. No sub-Aardman or cut-price South Park here. The only animation it even faintly reminded me of was those Charlie Says public information films from the Seventies, so Harney is first to be congratulated for his originality of vision. The subject matter, however, is one with which we are familiar. From Super Size Me to Jamie Oliver, we're all talking about the big business takeover of our lives and our children's health.

This funny film is set in a not-to-distant future school, where the history lessons are sponsored by Cola Cola - seamlessly stitching it's advertising into the and where there every move is dominated by a capitalistic firm looking to cash in.

The targets are thinly veiled, from McGristles ("even the cows go mad for us") to Microsod. They may be easy pickings but that doesn't make this film any less amusing as the 'tuned-out' hero just fails to get the message. The voices scream star quality with political and cultural heavyweights Andrew Marr, Mariella Frostrup and Mark Lawson all lending their dulcet tones.

This was a joint winner of last year's McLaren animation award at the Edinburgh Festival and it's easy to see why. The message? Drop out kids, it'll cost you less in the long run.