Danish animation producer Søren Fleng reflects on more than the mechanics of production: he explores why animation, and the people who make it, have kept him in Viborg since his unexpected arrival in the field.

After initially dreaming of a life at sea, Fleng discovered an environment of creative collaboration and found that his own strength lay in helping artists realise their visions through coordination, structure and support. He describes the producer as a bridge between finances and creativity, responsible for building a working “machine” in which expectations are clear but the creative space remains open. For Fleng, strong teams, trust and honest problem-solving are essential when productions face limited money or time.

The conversation also turns to animation’s cultural and social role. Fleng discusses the importance of shared stories for children in a media landscape increasingly shaped by personalised algorithms, and the ability of animation to visualise inner feelings and difficult realities. Recalling work connected with street children in the Philippines, he describes how animated stories helped create a language around experiences that were otherwise too painful to discuss.

For Fleng, animation can entertain, communicate, create responsibility and, in some circumstances, even save lives.