Manchester Animation Festival (MAF), the UK’s largest celebration of animation and its only Oscar® and BAFTA-qualifying animation festival, has revealed a dynamic 2025 program set to run from 9–13 November at various venues across Manchester. This year’s edition expands its international outlook, combining high-profile industry participation, exclusive screenings, and a strengthened focus on inclusion, education, and professional development through a newly launched three-year partnership with the University of Salford.
Festival Director Steve Henderson commented, “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. 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.”
Among this year’s key highlights is the festival’s prestigious Fellowship award, which will be presented to celebrated Irish studio Cartoon Saloon, known for acclaimed works such as “Wolfwalkers” and “The Breadwinner.” MAF will also host a retrospective celebrating 50 years of Industrial Light & Magic, recognising the iconic studio’s impact on cinematic animation. From Walt Disney Animation Studios, Head of Animation Chad Sellers and 2D Animation Lead Renato dos Anjos will present “The Making of Zootropolis 2,” offering behind-the-scenes insight into the upcoming feature. Other global showcases include Netflix director Alex Woo’s “In Your Dreams,” and “The Scarecrows’ Wedding,” adapted from the beloved book by Julia Donaldson and brought to life by Magic Light Pictures. BBC Studios Kids and Family will unveil “Rafi the Wishing Wizard,” a new animated project.
MAF 2025’s international feature film competition will include exclusive previews and UK premieres. Japanese director Baku Kinoshita will present “The Last Blossom,” a visually stunning 2D animation, while Ugo Bienvenu’s sci-fi fantasy “Arco,” produced by Félix de Givry and Natalie Portman, will have its UK debut. The stop-motion feature “I Am Frankelda,” directed by Arturo and Roy Ambriz, will represent Mexico with a distinctive gothic style, while “The Square,” a politically charged thriller from South Korea, and Annecy winner “Little Amelie or the Character of Rain” from France round out the competition line-up.
The festival will also screen special features including “Lesbian Space Princess,” directed by Emma Hough Hobbs and Leela Varghese, and a 4K remaster of the 1985 anime classic “Angel’s Egg,” directed by Mamoru Oshii. Adult Swim returns with “New, Newer, Newest,” a late-night showcase featuring exclusive previews from its forthcoming slate.
MAF will host a range of industry-focused panels and talks, including “Constantly Curious,” presented in partnership with the University of Salford, which examines the power of curiosity in the creative process. Other professional sessions include “The Art of the Ad,” focused on animation in advertising, and “Animating in Unreal,” presented by Epic Games, which will explore real-time production techniques. Each morning will feature Q&A sessions with short-form filmmakers, highlighting emerging voices in animation.
A robust commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion also shapes this year’s programme. “BlackFrame Presents” will showcase Black voices in animation through short films, panel discussions, and networking events. “Where We Go From Here,” hosted by WIA UK, will focus on gender equity, while “Neurodiversity in Animation: Unlocking Creative Potential,” hosted by Aardman and Flycheese Animation, explores the contributions of neurodivergent creatives and how to foster inclusive environments.
MAF’s annual awards ceremony, hosted by comedian and writer Alasdair Beckett-King, will celebrate outstanding achievements in categories including British Film, Feature Film, Short Film, Student Film, Commissioned Film, Immersive Work, Children’s Shorts, and the Audience Award. Winners will receive bespoke trophies handcrafted by model makers Mackinnon & Saunders. The ceremony will also feature the Industry Excellence Awards, which recognise writing, storyboarding, character design, and character animation.
Industry engagement remains central to MAF 2025, with the return of the Animation Nation Forum, offering sector-specific panels and networking sessions, and the Bridgewater Hall marketplace, a free-to-attend platform connecting studios and animation professionals. A dedicated Family Day will offer interactive activities for younger audiences.
The festival’s new partnership with the University of Salford brings exclusive panel sessions, student programming, and guest lectures, reinforcing MAF’s mission to develop the next generation of talent and deepen ties between academia and industry.
Manchester Animation Festival is presented with support from University of Salford as Higher Education Partner, HOME as Festival Partner, and Festival Patrons including Adult Swim, BBC Children’s & Education, BBC Studios Kids & Family, Blue Zoo Animation Studio, Epic Games, Industrial Light & Magic, and Moho Animation Software.