Manchester Animation Festival

Animation for all! The UK's largest #animation event returns 8-12 November 2026. ACADEMY AWARD® and BAFTA Qualifying film festival.

[Manchester Animation Festival @mcranimation]

It’s that glorious time of year again! Who wants to know what we have in store for #MAF2025 this November?

Expect exclusive previews, behind-the-scenes teases and plenty of animation goodness >> https://t.co/8N8ytoFiBX

Let's unwrap a few of this year's festival highlights…

[Manchester Animation Festival @mcranimation]

Relive the last MAF! Our wrap video for 2025 highlights our biggest year yet as we gear up for the 2026 edition, what was your MAF memory of 2025? https://t.co/VH46qnkGQ3

[Manchester Animation Festival @mcranimation]

We're on the lookout for short films, student films, feature films, immersive films and commissioned films for MAF 2026! If you'd like to enter our Academy Award© and BAFTA qualifying festival head to FilmFreeway to submit your work. https://t.co/6R1A5qmCDZ

[Manchester Animation Festival @mcranimation]

With Manchester Animation Festival 2026 returning 8-12 November check out the highlights of MAF 2025.

We’re officially looking for partners for MAF 2026. Fancy joining us? Check out last year’s highlights below for a taster. 👇

https://t.co/JcygmZB4OT

#MAF2026

[Manchester Animation Festival @mcranimation]

Our annual Industry Excellence Awards shine a spotlight on the animation heroes working day in and day out within the animation industry, filling our lives with amazing animated work. Nominate yourself or a colleague for free via our website https://t.co/nUSXvcKPx9

[Manchester Animation Festival @mcranimation]

Animating Tomorrow gave innovation a standing ovation as MAF and MITIH welcomed animation professionals from across Greater Manchester for two days of talks, workshops and networking. Relive the event or find out more here https://t.co/jvxXtDU2WM

[Manchester Animation Festival @mcranimation]

BAFTA qualifying? Check! Academy Award qualifying? Check! Have you checked out Manchester Animation Festival yet? Our call for entries is open now! https://t.co/6R1A5qmCDZ

[Manchester Animation Festival @mcranimation]

From animation legend Sylvain Chomet (The Triplets of Belleville), come and see his new film A Magnificent Life as part of Manchester Film Festival on the 29 March details here - https://t.co/evLhHIxe02

[Manchester Animation Festival @mcranimation]

It's official KPop Demon Hunters is getting a sequel! Prepare for more music, mythology, fashion, and fandom colliding. You can now watch the directors in conversation for free on our YouTube channel. Do we talk sequels? You bet we talk sequels! https://t.co/xrilou4F0C

[Manchester Animation Festival @mcranimation]

Explore the full report via the link below - and find out how to. have your say

https://t.co/10g5ca3EiU

[Manchester Animation Festival @mcranimation]

That's a wrap for #AnimatingTomorrow 2026!

A big thank you to everyone who made it down to MediaCity Immersive Technologies Innovation Hub to celebrate innovation in animation with us - and for all of our amazing speakers and guests for sharing their insight...

[Manchester Animation Festival @mcranimation]

Another big thank you to all of our sponsors who helped make this year's event possible. This year's events coincides with the release of the Greater Manchester Animation Sector survey - which was conducted to take the temperature of the sector and identify positive paths forward

[Manchester Animation Festival @mcranimation]

So much great stuff made during today's workshops!

#AnimatingTomorrow

[Manchester Animation Festival @mcranimation]

Here's the @Animotive_com team helping #AnimatingTomorrow attendees get hands-on in today's workshops... or should that be hands-off?

[Manchester Animation Festival @mcranimation]

Here's our team being trained up, ready to impliment their learnings in their daily work.

Thanks to our supporters at @wacom for helping out with today's workshops!

[Manchester Animation Festival @mcranimation]

Did you know #AnimatingTomorrow gives you the chance to get hands-on with new industry tools?

It does!

Today, our attendees are being given a crash course on tools that can help, inspire and further their animation careers.

We've got...

[Manchester Animation Festival @mcranimation]

⚡ #VR tools from David Cosgrove and Oisín Hughes at @Animotive_com

⚡ #AR worlds built by @DogsDales creator Virpi Kettu

⚡ An #AugenticAI bootcamp led by @blue_zoo co-founder Tom Box

⚡ Unlocking the secrets of Unreal Engine and Odyssey with @praxinos Elodie Moog

[Manchester Animation Festival @mcranimation]

Staying agile is also key, adds @SeanAardman - and while we'll never see a live action Wallace and Gromit, "We'd love to do a stage show... it's how you take that brand and turn it into something new."

#AnimatingTomorrow

[Manchester Animation Festival @mcranimation]

What's @aardman's secret to creating memorable characters? Their team spilled the beans during day two of #AnimatingTomorrow. Earlier today, Aardman Creative Chief Director Sarah Cox and Managing Director @SeanAardman joined us to celebrate 50 years of innovation and creativity.

[Manchester Animation Festival @mcranimation]

What comes next? "We're trying to be more agile," says Sarah. "The industry faces real challenges," adds @SeanAardman. "Our biggest issue is uncertainty... How do we get back to being more certain about our future? What underpins that is being able to control our own destiny."