The Manchester Animation Festival (MAF), established in 2015, is the UK’s largest event dedicated to the art of animation. Held annually in November at HOME, Manchester’s renowned center for contemporary art, theater, and film, the festival showcases a diverse range of animated works. These include short films, feature-length movies, and commissioned projects, appealing to both industry professionals and animation enthusiasts.
MAF was born from the legacy of the Bradford Animation Festival (1994–2014), founded by Bill Lawrence at the National Museum of Photography, Film & Television. Following the Bradford festival’s conclusion, Lawrence, Jennifer Hall, and Steve Henderson launched MAF in collaboration with the British Film Institute. Since its inception, the festival has become a cultural and industry highlight, forging partnerships with major studios such as Netflix, Disney, Apple, Sky, Aardman, Cartoon Saloon, Blue Zoo, Nickelodeon, and the BBC.
MAF emphasizes professional development and community engagement through masterclasses, workshops, and panel discussions. It also honors industry excellence with awards recognizing achievements in scriptwriting, storyboarding, character animation, and design.
MAF is both an Oscar®-qualifying and BAFTA-recognized festival, a prestigious status that positions it as a gateway to global accolades. Short Film Award winners are eligible for the Academy Awards’ Short Films competition without a theatrical run, provided they meet Academy rules. Additionally, British films screened at MAF are longlisted for BAFTA’s British Short Animation award.
In 2023, MAF honored Frank Cottrell-Boyce with the Script Writing Award for Kensuke’s Kingdom and Kayvon Darabi-Fard with the Storyboarding Award for My Father’s Dragon. These recognitions highlight MAF’s commitment to celebrating outstanding contributions to the animation industry.
MAF has become a platform for introducing groundbreaking animation. In 2024, it hosted the UK premiere of The Old Man Movie: Lactopalypse, accompanied by a Q&A session, further solidifying its role in bringing innovative animated stories to audiences.
With over 9,000 attendees annually, MAF fosters connections among artists, practitioners, students, and fans, creating a thriving community dedicated to animation’s growth and recognition.
Through its commitment to excellence and innovation, the Manchester Animation Festival has established itself as a cornerstone of the UK’s cultural and creative landscape.
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