Manchester Animation Festival

What advice would you give to a young animator dreaming big? Celebrating #MAFAdvent day 14 means celebrating the FUTURE — the amazing talent showcased at the Young Animator of the Year Awards (@YoungAnimatorUK), supported by @Blue_Zoo and @hueanimation Every year we leave inspired

For #MAFAdvent day 13, we’re reflecting on the heartfelt screening of The Last Blossom, followed by an insightful Q&A with director Baku Kinoshita by Ryan Gaur. It was a beautifully emotional evening that stayed with us long after the credits rolled.

As we unwrap #MAFAdvent Day 12, we’re celebrating you — our incredible audience who bring the festival to life every year. One of our favourite moments was our Worlds of Animation screening, supported by MMU SODA, where we shared extraordinary creations from across the globe.

For #MAFAdvent day 11, we’re celebrating the legendary Joanna Quinn (@joannaquinn), who visited @mcrcentrallibrary to discuss her stunning book Beryl, created with partner Les Mills. The session overflowed with gorgeous artwork, stories and insights into one of animation’s most iconic characters.

It wouldn’t be #MAFAdvent day 10 without shining a neon light on MAFter Dark, the wildest night of the festival. Thanks to the brilliant support of Toon Boom, we filled a club with weird, wonderful, spooky, silly shorts and a crowd of animation lovers who laughed and gasped together.

Today, for #MAFAdvent day 9, we’re revisiting the Animation Nation Forum’s forward-looking session on the Future Normal of animation. Our three wise experts explored how production pipelines, career paths and creative choices are rapidly evolving. The talk was both energising and reassuring

We've all got one, but which ILM creation has cast the biggest spell on you? Marking #MAFAdvent day 8, we’re tipping our festive hats to Industrial Light & Magic, who celebrated 50 years of animation magic with us. Hayden Jones guided us through half a century of groundbreaking work

As #MAFAdvent day 7 arrives, we’re celebrating BAFTA-winning filmmaker Will Anderson, who joined us for an in-depth exploration of his thoughtful, witty, character-driven work. His blend of existential humour and inventive design made for a session full of inspiration, weird bananas and weirder cats

For day 6 of #MAFAdvent, we’re drifting back into the adventure of a night time - In Your Dreams, showcased by creator Alex Woo. This debut animated feature (now streaming on Netflix!) swept us into a fantastical tale bursting with imagination, heart, zombie cereal and snarky giraffes.

As we continue our countdown with #MAFAdvent day 5, we’re spotlighting a brilliant session with @MohoAnimation’s own Víctor Paredes. He gave us a charming and energetic tour of how Moho turns stunning illustrations into lively animated pieces — plus teased some exciting innovations coming soon.

What love story melts your heart every time? Which sexy short sends you silly? Do you have a favourite animation all about affection? For #MAFAdvent day 4, we’re turning the page back to our session celebrating the book "Intimate Animation" with @Skwigly’s Ben Mitchell and Laura-Beth

Today’s festive flick through memory lane for #MAFAdvent day 3 takes us to an unforgettable behind-the-scenes session for Zootropolis 2. We were thrilled to welcome Chad Sellers and Renato dos Anjos, who shared an inspiring look at crafting expressive characters and dynamic scenes.

As #MAFAdvent day 2 summons a little sparkle, we’re revisiting the enchanting world of Rafi the Wishing Wizard from BBC Studios. Our MAF audience was treated to an exclusive early peek at the South Manchester based series that is arriving in 2026 and yes, it was as magical as it sounds.

A young person sculpts a character using clay

A room full of families listen to the teacher leading a stop motion workshop

We’re opening our animation advent calendar with #MAFAdvent day 1, and what better way to start than by celebrating family? Whether you share your holidays with relatives, friends or your found family, our annual Family Day always reminds us how special these connections are.

And that's it for another year!

Thank you to everyone who attended #MAF2025, our amazing sponsors and everyone who helped to make this edition one of our best festivals yet.

We'll be back next year - sign up to our newsletter for the latest updates! buff.ly/dAqeBpr

Looking at a career in animation?

Our Paths Into Animation panel is crammed full of useful insight from Baz Sells, @0ddcat.bsky.social & Will Anderson.

Watch it back as part of our #MAF2025 Online Programme before it disappears this Sunday >> tinyurl.com/yc3tvh9w

The mighty Cartoon Saloon visited #MAF2025 to receive this year's Fellowship Award. During their visit, director Nora Twomey told us the powerful story behind the studio's hugely important 2017 release The Breadwinner. See more via MAF online buff.ly/lIiUC6u

Why is it important to shout about your own skills?

Golden Wolf studios shared some thoughts on this key topic during our Art of the Ad panel discussion at #MAF2025.

The full chat is available via MAF Online until 30 November.

Find out more: buff.ly/K2dC2BV

Is creative curiosity a learnable skill?

This was one of the big topics we discussed during our Constantly Curious panel chat at #MAF2025. Here's Creative Director Daniel Efergan sharing his thoughts...

Watch the full panel via MAF Online until 30 Nov buff.ly/K2dC2BV

Did you miss our #MAF2025 Fellowship with the ace @cartoonsaloon.bsky.social?

From those first initial chats around the kitchen table in Dublin to meeting animation royalty at awards ceremonies, you can watch back the full conversation as part of our Online Programme >> tinyurl.com/ycykc8d2

"A dream movie in animation has sort of been a white whale..."

If you missed director Alex Woo's guided tour of dreamland during #MAF2025 last week, you can revisit his panel on MAF Online to find out how In Your Dreams was made!

Find out more tinyurl.com/yrh37f3n

...Or if you didn't make it down for the fun last week you can grab yourself a fresh Online Pass to get access to the whole #MAF2025 online programme.

Our online talks and films are available to watch until Sunday 30 November. Enjoy! >> watch.eventive.org/maf2025

Ah this time last week we were knee deep in animation goodness enjoying the last in-venue day of #MAF2025.

Did you join us for it?

Remember all online festival content is available for FREE for anyone who joined us in person with a Festival Pass...

Don't be sad that #MAF2025 is over, be psyched that MAF online is here until 30 Nov!

An online pass gets you access to some of 2025's biggest events like Alex Woo's #InYourDreams deep-dive, Cartoon Saloon's Fellowship Award, shorts & more!

Tune in: buff.ly/K2dC2BV

MAF 2025 Reveals Film Competition Winners and Industry Excellence Award Honourees | Manchester Animation Festival Celebrating the best in animation, from breakout shorts to behind-the-scenes brilliance, at the UK’s leading animation festival. Manchester, UK – Manchester Animation Festival (MAF), the UK’s only Osc...

We're just coming up for air after our busy in-venue leg of the festival last week.

And to brighten up your Monday we wanted to take a look back at the winners of our #MAF2025 film and industry awards! So if you missed who won what, here's a handy recap >> tinyurl.com/53be2uap

I had a fantastic week on my 5th visit to @mcranimation.bsky.social

#MAF2025 #ManchesterAnimationFestival #Animation #Festival #Manchester

Popped to the wonderful @mcranimation.bsky.social and came away with a fantastic selection for this week's #LastFourWatched!

We just want to say a BIG thank you to everyone who joined us at #MAF2025 this week - it's been joyful & jam packed!

Whilst the in-venue fun might be over, our Online Programme runs till 30 Nov. So you can enjoy lots more MAF magic from the comfort of your own home ✨ >> tinyurl.com/4vs59jnd

25 years of wonderful storytelling✨

Oh @cartoonsaloon.bsky.social we only scratched the surface but feel really lucky to have had the chance to look back at your beautiful body of work.

This behind the scenes sequence from Wolfwalkers was really special to see...

#MAF2025

This afternoon we're celebrating 25 years of the brilliant Cartoon Saloon with our #MAF2025 Fellowship Award.

So what's your favourite film of theirs?

We'd love to know!