Manchester Animation Festival Announces 2025 Line-Up

 

The Manchester Animation Festival, the UK's largest dedicated animation event, is returning this autumn with an expanded five-day programme. Britain's only Oscar and BAFTA qualifying festival, it returns to HOME and venues across Manchester from 9-13 November. 

This year's festival promises exclusive previews, behind-the-scenes insights and a commitment to diversity and inclusion, all anchored by its new partnership with the University Of Salford.

MAF will honour the celebrated Irish studio Cartoon Saloon, known for Song Of The Sea, Wolfwalkers and The Breadwinner, with a prestigious Fellowship Award. Industrial Light and Magic will be given a 50-year career retrospective, celebrating half a century of pushing forward cinematic animation. Walt Disney Animation Studios head of animation Chad Sellers and 2D Animation Lead, Renato dos Anjos, will offer a preview of Zootropolis 2, while Director Alex Woo goes behind the scenes of his film In Your Dreams. There will also be a behind-the-scenes presentation of The Scarecrow's Wedding, the latest Julia Donaldson adaptation from Magic Light Pictures. A new project from BBC Kids and Family entitled Rafi The Wishing Wizard will also be unveiled.

© Cartoon Saloon

MAF's international feature competition this year is bold and varied. Japanese director Baku Kinoshita will attend a Q&A, following a preview screening of his The Last Blossom, a visually striking 2D animation. MAF will also host the UK premiere of Arco, a sci-fi fantasy distinguished by its unique visual style and written by Ugo Bienvenu and produced by Félix de Givry and Natalie Portman. Also screening in competition is I am Frankelda, the first stop-motion feature produced in Mexico. The film has attracted acclaim for its gothic storytelling and its handmade aesthetic. Rounding out the competition slate is The Square, a politically charged romantic thriller and Annecy Cristal winner  Little Amelie or the Character of Rain, directed by Maïlys Vallade and Liane-Cho Han.

Screening out of competition is Australian indie feature Lesbian Space Princess, directed by Emma Hough Hobbs and Leela Varghese, and the 4K restoration of lost cult classic Angel's Egg, directed by Ghost In The Shell director Mamoru Oshii. The fan favourite studio Adult Swim also return with New, Newer, Newest, a late-night showcase from their upcoming slate.

“As we stride into a new decade of MAF, we’re thrilled to bring another packed programme of premieres, exclusives, special guests and more back to Manchester this November" says Festival Director Steve Henderson. The passion of the animation community is what makes MAF so special, and their energy is what inspires us to aim higher every year. The whole team at MAF are really looking forward to celebrating with them when the festival returns from 9-13 November.”

Panels include Constantly Curious, a panel in partnership with University of Salford that explores how curiosity can be a superpower in ideation, design, and execution. Other highlights include The Art Of The Ad and Epic Games Animating In Unreal. Each morning opens with a Q&A session with short filmmakers from around the world, celebrating short-form storytelling and fresh perspectives.

The festival continues its commitment to equity and diversity by celebrating underrepresented groups in animation.  BlackFrame Presents offers a short film showcase, panel discussion and networking event that amplifies Black voices in animation. Women In Animation UK presents Where Do We Go From Here?, a timely discussion of gender equality in the industry, while Neurodiversity in Animation: Unlocking Creative Potential explores neurodiversity in animation.

The annual festival awards ceremony will be hosted by comedian Alasdair Beckett-King and take place on November 13.  It will celebrate achievement across British Film, Feature Film, Short Film, Student Film, Commissioned Film, Immersive Work, Children’s Shorts, and the Audience Award. Winners will receive the much-coveted MAF Trophy, designed by McKinnon and Saunders.

Beyond screenings and awards, the festival also offers the return of the Animation Nation Forum, featuring sector-focused panels and discussions, and the Bridgewater Hill marketplace, free to attend and designed to facilitate networking. The festival also has a dedicated family day featuring hands-on activities and interactive experiences designed to engage younger audiences and the animators of the future.

For full event details and to buy passes or tickets, visit here.