Animation film by children will be showcased at the Tate Modern

ITS animators have won Academy Awards for series including Wallace and Gromit and Creature Comforts, producing films such as Chicken Run and even Tony Hart's Plasticine character Morph. But the latest Aardman Animations film will be produced by some less well-known artists: thousands of primary school children.

The British animation company is working with the Tate Gallery to produce the first Tate movie – a 20-minute animated film drawn entirely by children aged between five and 11.

Aardman said it wanted to encourage creativity in children by helping them to design characters and backgrounds, record sounds and voices and contribute individually.

"In this age of the creative economy where ideas are the driving force, discovering and nurturing creative ideas in children is of vital importance," said David Sproxton, the company's co-founder. "We want children to be involved at every level, and believe that the spontaneity and creativity of the children combined with our professional film-making team will create a film that is as inspiring as it is entertaining."

The film, which Aardman is producing alongside the independent charity Legacy Trust UK and the creative agency Fallon, will be showcased at the Tate Modern. Organisers hope to see it in around 50 cinemas nationwide.

A Tate spokesman said: "This is about giving children the tools they need to produce something fantastic. We hope this will be an award-winning work."