Manchester Animation Festival Launches 2026 Line-Up

Manchester Animation Festival is the UK's largest animation festival. Every November, animation industry folks, animators, enthusiasts and interested members of the public gather in the northern English city to celebrate the art of animation. MAF is the UK's only Oscar and BAFTA-qualifying animation festival. This year's festival runs from November 8-12 at HOME and venues across Greater Manchester, and the organisers have revealed this year's programme. The festival will feature a mix of premieres, exclusive previews and behind-the-scenes insights, while reaffirming its commitment to championing handmade storytelling made by actual humans.

The line-up boasts an impressive line-up of studio showcases, screenings and making-of sessions. British animation studio  Lupus Films presents an early screening of Mog's Bad Thing, followed by an in-depth look at the process of adapting the beloved Judith Kerr picture book. Stop-motion masters LAIKA make their MAF debut, presenting a screening of their latest film, Wildwood. The screening will be accompanied by a making-of session exploring the studio's signature craft and innovation.

This year's animation focus is Mexico In Motion, presented in association with the British Council. The festival will welcome Mexican animator Angélica Lares, Head of Studio at El Taller del Chucho, the acclaimed stop-motion outfit best known for its work on the Oscar-winning Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio. Lares will take festival attendees behind the scenes to meet the directors and craftspeople that bring their films to life. One of the festival's other hot-ticket events is sure to be the passholder-only early screening of Brad Bird's dream project Ray Gunn.

Artist talks this year include a conversation with BAFTA and BIFA-winning, Sweden-based artist Ida Melum, director of Ovary Acting and Night Of The Living Dread, and the only filmmaker to win MAF's Audience Award twice. Fresh from his win at Encounters, A.J. Jeffries hosts an in-depth artist talk, following his MAFter Dark win last year for his short Ducks.

Features screening out of competition this year include DreamWorks Animation's Forgotten Island, while regular festival guest Cartoon Saloon present an early screening of their tale of a boy who wants to be a mermaid, Julian. Bobbypills' outrageous gay comedy Jim Queen brings LGBTQ+ representation to the line-up. Bringing some animation history to the festival, there's also a rare screening of Lotte Reiniger’s The Adventures of Prince Achmed, marking the film's 100th anniversary.

The International Feature Film Competition features four distinctive films from around the world. Two of them hail from France: the coming-of-age drama (and Netflix acquisition) In Waves and adult animated comedy Blaise. The others are Ottawa International Animation Festival prize-winner We Are Aliens, from Japan and South Korean action-comedy Brave Cat.

Festival director Steve Henderson said: "We’re really excited that MAF is back to showcase the beauty of animation, and during these tricky times, provide a pause in the calendar for film fans to come together and celebrate the human-made brilliance that goes into animation, to connect, learn, and enjoy the best of the big screen."

"With an international banquet of shorts and features, masterclasses and studio talks from the world’s finest animation talent, as well as compelling panels, insightful workshops and spectacular socials, there’s something for everyone in MAF 2026. We can’t wait to welcome audiences back to Manchester this November for the UK’s largest animation celebration.”

In Aardman's 50th Anniversary year, co-founder and now bona fide Knight of the Realm Sir Peter Lord will be joined by director/animator Will Becher and Creative Director of IP Development Nat McKay for a conversation looking ahead to "The Next 50 years of Clay". Effects whizzes Industrial Light and Magic return to the festival for a session about the future of video content and BBC Studios Kids & Family present the making of Vanishing Point, the first animated episodic drama for CBBC. Bradley Harris of Krygon Studios in a session supported by Epic Games, will look at the cutting edge in real-time filmmaking and video games. The latest in VR technology will be showcased in The Animated Immersive Experience events. The Live Drawing Challenge hosted by Adult animation specialist Mark Taynton is just one of several lively social events running throughout the festival.

The festival's climactic annual awards ceremony takes place on November 12 and is this year hosted by writer, comedian and actor Molly McGuinness. The ceremony will award winners for British Film, Feature Film, Short Film, Student Film, Commissioned Film, Immersive Work, Children’s Shorts and the Audience Award. Winners are presented with a handmade trophy designed by world-renowned model-makers Mackinnon & Saunders. The ceremony also includes the Industry Excellence Awards, recognising professionals in writing, storyboarding, character design and character animation.

Outside the main festival, there are opportunities for industry engagement and networking. The Animation Nation Forum returns, featuring sector-focused panels and discussions. The Young Animator of the Year (YAY) returns, looking for the best emerging talents. MAF features several inspiring YAY events, including a talk from Aardman animator Gav Strange. The festival also includes a dedicated Family Day, featuring hands-on activities and interactive experiences designed to capture younger audiences and future creatives.

Tickets and passes are on sale now. For full details, visit the Festival Website.