# animate! › Films › Biogenesis by William Latham › all › synopses › direction & collaboration › full production credits › film stills › tools & processes › format & distribution › background material

Canonical: https://animate.org.uk/films/biogenesis/all

Discovery terms: 1990s animation, computer animation, artificial life, evolution, technology, experimental short film, filmmaker, artist

The following is the archived page text; discovery terms above are separately sourced metadata.

Archive status: restored in 2026; historical calls, deadlines and services are closed.

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**Biogenesis** a film by William Latham

1993, 4 min 43 sec

[Film / embedded media](https://www.youtube.com/embed/9yXO2bpiUZM)

![Biogenesis, still](https://animate.org.uk/stillslarge/biogenesis01.jpg)

### animate! synopsis

Survival of the most aesthetic in a synthetic digital universe of constantly evolving coral forms. From cell to psychedelic, this is DNA with attitude, and a reply to all those who did not think there could be life in the machine.

### long synopsis

**Biogenesis** shows the evolution of artificial life forms in a synthetic universe where ‘survival of the fittest’ is replaced by ‘survival of the most aesthetic‘. We see cellular evolution and the replication of mutations forming chain-like structures resembling coral.

The artist is like a gardener – breeding, selecting, marrying and steering the course of evolution for creative ends. The film is a record of this evolutionary process.

It can be viewed as a psychedelic experience or a more subtle parody of a man’s relationship with the natural world through modern technology.

### key credits

**director**
William Latham

**animator**
Susie Bissell

**editor**
Richard Bus

**music**
Michel Redolfi

### William Latham

### a film by William Latham

### direction

**director**
William Latham

### image personnel

**animator**
Susie Bissell

**editor**
Richard Bus

### sound personnel

**music**
Michel Redolfi

### support

**thanks**
made with the generous help and support of IBM UK

**primary funding**
Arts council of England/Channel Four Animate! award

© William Latham 1993

[![Biogenesis, still](https://animate.org.uk/stillslarge/biogenesis01.jpg)](https://animate.org.uk/stillsfull/biogenesis01.jpg)

*click on image for full size still*

### master copy format

**colour or black & white**
colour

### video distribution format

**video format**
BetaSP

**screen aspect ratio**
4:3

**video standard**
PAL

**sound type**
stereo

### distributor

LUX
[info@lux.org.uk](mailto:info@lux.org.uk)
+44 (0)20 7503 3980
[www.lux.org.uk](http://www.lux.org.uk/)

**Biogenesis** film, stills and other materials © William Latham 1993