Sweet stories, passionately told.

Miaowito Animation is a Bristol-based Indie Studio founded by the award-winning animator, writer, director and creative producer Sara Barbas. At Miaowito we are driven by good emotional storytelling, strong characters and the excitement of working within a friendly, diverse and collaborative team. We are excellent at creatively overviewing animated projects from script to screen in 2D, stop-motion, CGI and mixed-media.

Let’s make beautiful things.

Creative Overview

We are experienced in overviewing projects through all stages of production: storyboarding, animatic, design, edit, sound design, voice-recording, directing music, layout, animation, lighting, comp, grade, online edit and final mix. From initial concept to the final deliverables.
Development and Pre-Production

We have extensive experience in the early stages of production and often act as creative consultants for idea generation, project bible writing, and pilot writing and as visual development artists and concept artists.
Co-productions

We love working collaboratively - nationally and internationally. We are open to partnerships.
Original IP

We are developing two pre-school series, a Xmas half-hour special and writing a feature film. We just love storytelling!

Sara Barbas' Directing Reel

This is a collection of shots from Sara’s directing roles on Moominvalley Seasons 2 and 3, Legends of Evergreen Hills and her own short films: Final Call and Something I Said.
Final Call

An airport (re) encounter. Catarina bumps in to her old flame, Diogo, at airport security. During a very awkward conversation and constantly interrupted by airport security staff and procedures, Catarina and Diogo realise they made a big mistake due to an even greater misunderstanding.
© Copyright Sara Barbas/ Animanostra 2016
Legends of Evergreen Hills - Giant Animation

Sam, apprentice to The Time Keeper, sees "Spark" during kind moments. Despite enjoying small acts of kindness, she seeks an important mission. A masked intruder steals Spark from the magic forest, granting her wish.
© Copyright Bento Box Atlanta/ CFA Properties Inc 2024
Moominvalley - Gutsy Animations

As we follow the story of Moomintroll’s growth and encounters with his family and other creatures, we learn more about our own humanity, relationships and emotions – and especially about love.
© Copyright Gutsy Animations/ Moomin Characters 2023
Antón Piñón - ImagicTV

Antón Piñón is a deep-loving clumsy lemming who lives with his Abuela and 27 siblings, in a gorgeous forest full of friendly neighbours. Based on the best-selling picture books by Marta Moreno.
© Copyright ImagicTV/ NHK Enterprises 2025
- Writing
- Series
- Trailers
Stan Can - BBC Studios

Meet Stanley, the can-do hamster who’s always happy to help whenever a job needs doing. An animated series based on the books by William Bee.
© Copyright BBC Studios 2024
- Writing
- Series
- Award-Winning
- Trailers
School of Roars - Dot to Dot Productions

School Of Roars follows five mini-monsters through their school day as they learn monster-y lessons in maths, music, cookery and life.
© Copyright Monster Paw/ Dot to Dot Productions/ CBeebies 2017
- Writing
- Series
Morph - Aardman Animations

Morph, Chas and their old pals Delilah, Grandmorph and The Very Small Creatures in new adventures that take the gang beyond their desktop home for the very first time!
© Copyright Aardman Animations 2014
Stop-Motion Animation - Aardman Animations

A very short selection of shots animated by Sara Barbas and Timon Dowdeswell when freelancing for Aardman Animations throughout the years.
©Copyright Aardman Animations 2004-2024
Timon Dowdeswell's Animation Reel

This is a collection of shots from some of the shows Timon has animated on over the years, they include: Frankenweenie, Max and Co, Twirly Woos, Fantastic Mr. Fox, Scream Street, Chuck Steele, Shaun the Sheep among others.
Worlds Apart

One location. Two People. Three cultures. Worlds Apart is a story of love, alienation and self-discovery.
@ Copyright Sara Barbas 2012
Wherever You Go There You Are

A little girl, a woman and an old lady are all in constant movement. They live their own simple journeys that culminate together in one unique and revealing story ending.
© Copyright Sara Barbas 2008