Russian for their own stories
Discussing a character, writing a line of dialogue or explaining why a scene should look a certain way. Russian becomes useful for a project they care about, with English there to help when needed.
Create Animated Films with AI
Your own film
and a first step into cinema
11 days at an independent British school: dream up a story, create an animated film with AI and share it with film professionals.
Learn from people making films today. The course is led by a director and producer with over 15 years in children’s film. Today, she creates animated projects for American franchises.
Special guest: a Hollywood producer whose credits include Gravity, X-Men and Edge of Tomorrow.
Ages 12–17 · Russian and English · 15 places
When
13–23 December
2026 · 11 days, 10 nights
Who it is for
12–17 years
15 participants · Russian and English
Where
Wellesley Haddon Dene
Independent British school · Broadstairs, Kent
Does this sound like your teenager?
- They understand everything in Russian, but find it easier to reply in English. You would love conversations with family to go a little further than “everything’s fine”.
- They can spend hours watching videos and imagining worlds of their own. You would like to help them take that interest further.
- It is too early to know what career they might choose. But trying something real and asking “Could this be for me?” already sounds interesting.
Here, they will have a shared project worth talking about: inventing a character, debating the plot and getting their film ready to show. Russian becomes part of that story.
Holidays that open
new possibilities
While making a film, teenagers find reasons to speak Russian, make friends and try a new role.
Try a creative profession
Scriptwriting, directing, AI animation and editing come together in one project. A working director will help them understand the process and discover what they enjoy most.
A closer look at the film industry
A day with a Hollywood producer who worked on Gravity. They can ask questions, discuss an idea and present their finished film to him at the final screening.
Your story could come to life too
The video could not be loaded. Open the animation in a new tab.
30 seconds showing how a drawing becomes a character with a world of its own. On the course, teenagers will invent their own stories and follow that process with their teacher.
Learn from people
working in film
Lead teacher
Elena Shohani (Elena Shohani)
Director and producer · over 15 years in children’s film
Elena teaches what she does herself. Her experience includes running her own film studio, making music videos with well-known young performers and working on television series.
Today, at her London studio EPS Production KIDS, Elena creates animated series for American franchises and animated feature films.
She will guide the group through the whole process, from first sketches to the final edit. She will help them develop a character, choose an expressive shot and understand why one scene works while another needs more attention.
Everyone will have a chance to discuss their project with a director, receive feedback and refine their film before the screening.
Special guest
Poya Shohani (Poya Shohani)
Hollywood producer · over 20 years in film
His credits include Gravity, X-Men, Edge of Tomorrow and Sherlock Gnomes. Gravity won 7 Academy Awards, including Best Visual Effects.
Elena’s partner at EPS Production KIDS. His experience also includes projects with Netflix, Coca-Cola and Nike.
He will lead a day called “Think Like a Director” and return for the final screening. The group can talk to him about their ideas and present their finished films. His masterclass will be in English.
Trip coordinator
Tatyana Nott (Tatiana Nott)
Founder of Bridge Generation
Tatyana has organised educational trips for more than 12 years and knows how many little questions come up when children are away from home.
She meets the group in London, helps everyone settle in and, together with the school team, supports them in the evenings and on excursions. Children can come to her with everyday questions, tell her if they feel unwell or ask for help.
For parents, Tatyana remains a familiar point of contact. All arrangements can be discussed with her in Russian.
A rare opportunity · 15 participants
Ask about film.
Share your own.
Spoken in English. Russian subtitles are available using the CC button in the player.
The video could not be loaded. Open the video file or try playing the video again.
With Poya’s busy filming schedule, opportunities like this are rare. He has set aside a full day in December for our group and will return for the final screening.
Behind those familiar film titles is someone they can talk to. How do you build a scene? Why do we care about a character? Where does a career in film begin? The “Think Like a Director” masterclass will make room for these questions and for the teenagers’ own ideas.
- How to build a scene and a character’s story.
- How to engage an audience and make them feel something.
- A chance to present their animated film to Poya at the final screening.
Director and producer Elena Shohani leads the main teaching programme, from the first idea to the finished animation.
The video features Poya’s animated avatar. On the programme, the group will meet him in person.
Scriptwriting, animation, editing and sound
What your child
will bring home
A film to share and an experience to talk about. From the first idea to the closing credits, they will follow the whole process themselves, with their teacher’s support.
-
“I made this film”
A short animated story with characters, sound and credits. For a first portfolio, for friends and for a family screening at home.
-
A first taste of modern animation
Scriptwriting, AI tools, editing and sound. Your child will try tasks from the worlds of film and content creation, and discover what they want to explore further.
-
More reasons to speak Russian
Discussions, dialogue for their characters and conversations about their ideas. Everyday language practice through a shared creative project.
- A project they can talk about
Where the idea came from, what did not work and how they found a solution. That experience can help with future projects and talking about their interests in an educational setting.
- Friends who share both languages
Meeting teenagers who also use Russian and English in everyday life. Working together, going on walks and sharing a premiere.
23 December · first screening Project presentations and feedback from the teaching team.
From an idea to a finished film
Learn to see and think like a director
Why do we want to follow one character? How do you create a mood without words? When do you need a close-up, and when should you show the world around a character? These are the questions that begin an animated film.
The group will explore scriptwriting, composition, lighting, editing and sound. They will learn to make choices that serve their story and use AI to create characters and animation.
Each participant will finish with a short film of their own and practical experience of modern animation. It is a chance to try a creative profession and discover whether they would like to take it further.
Seven practical classes: 14–17 and 20–22 December. The final screening takes place separately on 23 December.
The group develops each character and shot, writes prompts for AI and refines the results to fit their story.
14–15 Dec Develop the story
14 December: the idea, the character’s goal and the conflict.
15 December: the script and prompts for AI.
Stage outcome: a story and a developed character.
16–17 Dec Build the world and scenes
16 December: visual style and the sequence of shots.
17 December: shot sizes, film language and key scenes.
Stage outcome: a storyboard for the film.
20–21 Dec Add movement and sound
20 December: bring the first scenes to life.
21 December: assemble the film, adding dialogue and music.
Stage outcome: a first edit.
22 Dec Get the film ready to show
22 December: final changes, credits and the finished file.
Outcome of the seventh class: a finished animated film.
23 December · premiere
Film screenings, story presentations and feedback. This is a separate final day of the programme.
Classes take place in Russian and English. We discuss stories, write dialogue and explain our choices in Russian, with English there to help when a word is missing. Understanding both languages matters; perfect Russian is not required. Poya’s masterclass is in English.
Walks and excursions
A winter programme
in Kent
The programme includes two excursion days,
Christmas activities and coastal walks.
18 December
Margate
Turner Contemporary and
Christmas at Dreamland
19 December
Canterbury
A walk through the city
and kayaking on the River Stour
A typical class day
09:00
Breakfast
Breakfast at school.
10:00–13:00
Animation classes
Practical work on their own project.
13:30
Lunch
At school on teaching days.
15:30–17:30
Walks and activities
The school’s Christmas programme.
19:00
Dinner
At 20:00 on 21 December. Fish and chips on 14 December.
20:00–21:30
Evening programme
Games, creative activities and time with friends.
The timetable is different on excursion days.
13–23 December 2026
School activities, day by day
After classes, there are walks, creative activities and Christmas events. Two days are set aside for excursions.
13 December Arrival and introductions
Get to know the school and tour the grounds.
Icebreaker games.
14 December Christmas treasure hunt
After classes: a Christmas treasure hunt.
Fish and chips for dinner and a Christmas quiz.
15 December Lights in the winter woods
After classes: a woodland walk along a festive illuminated trail.
Swimming in the pool.
16 December Gingerbread baking
After classes: baking and decorating gingerbread.
Bowling.
17 December Cinema and shopping
After classes: Westwood Cross and the cinema.
Christmas karaoke.
18 December A day in Margate
Turner Contemporary and Christmas at Dreamland.
Traditional English board games.
19 December A day in Canterbury
A city walk and kayaking on the River Stour.
Water polo.
20 December Ice skating
After classes: skating at Quex Park.
Christmas card workshop.
21 December Christmas show
After classes: a traditional British pantomime.
Dinner at 20:00, followed by free time.
22 December Ramsgate harbour lights
After classes: a harbour walk, festive lights and hot chocolate.
Christmas film night.
23 December The final day
Animation screenings and discussion. The school timetable also includes morning classes and lunch at 13:30.
The programme ends with departure after the final screening.
Broadstairs · Kent
Creative holidays at an independent British school
For 11 days, Wellesley Haddon Dene will be our group’s home and place of learning. It is an independent British school in Broadstairs, Kent, where Bridge Generation runs its film programme.
In the mornings, the group works on their films. After classes, there are walks, school activities and excursions. Evenings offer time to keep talking about their stories or simply relax with new friends.
Accommodation, meals and equipment for classes are included. We meet participants in London and travel to the school together.
Adults they can turn to
School staff and trip coordinator Tatyana help everyone settle in, support the daily routine and accompany the group on activities and excursions. Parents can discuss practical questions and their child’s needs with Tatyana before the trip.
Clear arrangements for care and safety
The school publishes policies on safeguarding, first aid and safe activities, alongside its Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) reports.
School policies and inspection reports
Reassurance for children and parents
Care and safety
Questions about the school, travel or your child’s wellbeing? You can discuss them with Tatyana in Russian. She will explain the arrangements and pass important information on to the school team.
A familiar adult nearby
Tatyana meets the group in London and accompanies the trip. Together with the school team, she helps children with everyday needs, friendships and the daily routine.
Keeping in touch with parents
Tatyana Nott is your contact for the trip. You can speak to her about your child’s wellbeing, practical arrangements and any support they need.
Contact TatyanaIf your child feels unwell
They should tell the coordinator or a member of school staff straight away. WHD’s first aid policy provides for help from a trained member of staff and medical attention where needed. Parents can contact Tatyana about their child’s wellbeing.
School first aid policySchool staff checks
Wellesley Haddon Dene’s published policy includes enhanced DBS checks when recruiting staff. The school also checks applicants’ references and qualifications.
WHD recruitment checks policyBefore the trip, tell the coordinator about allergies, medication and any other health needs so that the necessary support can be discussed in advance.
Parents on travelling with Tatyana
Their thoughts on the care, organisation and how their children come home.
These reviews are from trips to Kent in 2025 and 2026. The AI programme runs for the first time in December 2026, so there are no reviews of this particular course yet.
“A huge thank you to Tatyana for the wonderful organisation, the packed programme and the detailed photo and video updates with commentary!”
NataliaKent trip · November 2025
“The children came from different cities, with different personalities and interests, but the trip brought them together and created such a warm atmosphere.”
LyudmilaKent trip · June 2026
“A special thank you to Tatyana for her care, attention and incredible patience with the children. They came home full of excitement and stories.”
ElenaKent trip · June 2026
What is included
in the programme
One programme brings together filmmaking, life at a British school and winter outings. There are 15 participants, giving everyone time for their own project and questions for their teacher.
13–23
December 2026
12–17 years
12–17 years
11 days at a British school
-
Create Animated Films with AI
Practical classes and an individual project
-
Accommodation and meals
On the British school campus
-
Masterclass and final screening
A guest expert and feedback
-
Excursions and support
School activities and a trip coordinator
- Equipment for classes
The laptops and equipment needed are provided
- Keepsakes
And a finished animated film for their portfolio
£2 450
per participant · 13–23 December 2026
Around £223 per day. The price includes classes, the masterclass, 10 nights’ accommodation, meals, excursions, equipment and support.
We meet the children in London and travel to the school together.
A group of 15 participants, supported by a trip coordinator.
Just 15 places in the group
Let’s talk about
your child’s trip
13–23 December 2026
£2,450 per participant
Teaching, accommodation, meals, excursions and equipment for classes.
Tell Tatyana your child’s age and interests. You can request a reservation straight away or start by asking about the programme.
Tatyana will check availability and explain payment and refund terms. A place is secured once the organiser confirms the booking.
Message Tatyana on WhatsAppRequest a booking by email
An email will open with a prepared message. Add your details and press Send.
You can also write directly to: hello@bridgegeneration.co.uk
Questions
before the trip
If you still have questions,
Tatyana is happy to help.
What language are the classes in?
Russian and English. We use Russian for discussions, scripts and characters’ dialogue, with English to help when a word is missing. Participants should understand both languages. Poya’s masterclass is in English.
My child rarely speaks Russian. Is this suitable?
If they understand Russian and can express themselves in simple words, their speech does not need to be perfect. A shared project gives them reasons to talk, and the teacher helps them put their ideas into words. If you are unsure, tell Tatyana how your child uses both languages and discuss whether they would feel comfortable.
Do they need experience with AI or animation?
No. We start with an idea and a character, then explore the tools, movement and editing. The teacher helps at every stage. Curiosity and a desire to tell a story matter more than knowing the software.
What will my child create?
A short animated film with their own character, sound and credits. Screenings, presentations and feedback from the teachers are planned for 23 December.
Who supports the children during the trip?
Trip coordinator Tatyana Nott and the school team accompany the children in the evenings and on excursions, helping with everyday needs and life in the group.
Do they need to bring a laptop?
No, we provide the equipment needed for classes. Before the trip, tell Tatyana about your child’s interests and experience with creative software.
How do the children get to the school?
We meet in London and travel with the coordinator to Wellesley Haddon Dene in Broadstairs. Participants will receive the meeting place and time before the trip.
What if their school holidays start later?
The programme begins on 13 December. Check your school’s calendar before booking, as holiday dates vary. If the dates do not match, discuss this with the school and Tatyana before signing up. Permission to miss school must not be assumed.
Is this the first time the programme is running?
Yes, Create Animated Films with AI runs for the first time in December 2026. This page includes parents’ reviews of earlier trips with Tatyana, rather than this course. Elena Shohani leads the teaching, and Tatyana Nott coordinates the trip.
13–23 December 2026 · Wellesley Haddon Dene
Come home with
a film to share
A film of their own. The story of making it. People they enjoy talking to in both languages. These 11 days could be the beginning of a new interest and a fresh way to think about their future.
13–23 December · ages 12–17 · £2,450
hello@bridgegeneration.co.uk