Manchester Animation Festival Rolls Out Powerhouse Programme For 2026

Manchester Animation Festival (MAF), the UK’s only Oscar® and BAFTA®‑qualifying animation festival, has unveiled its 2026 programme – an ambitious and diverse celebration of animation in all its forms. Running from 8-12 November at HOME and venues across Manchester, this year’s festival will bring an exciting mix of premieres, exclusive previews and behind‑the‑scenes insights, with a continued commitment to championing handmade, human storytelling at the heart of the artform.

This year’s line‑up features an exceptional slate of studio showcases, premieres and behind‑the‑scenes sessions in Manchester. Lupus Films presents the UK international premiere of Mog’s Bad Thing, accompanied by an in‑depth look at adapting Judith Kerr’s beloved picture book, (HarperCollins Children’s Books), for the screen with the creative team behind the film. LAIKA – the award‑winning studio behind Coraline and Kubo and the Two Strings – attends the festival for the first time, presenting a special screening of its latest feature Wildwood, with an exclusive making‑of session exploring the studio’s signature craft and innovation.

Adding to these headline events, this year’s animation focus, Mexico in Motion ​- delivered in association with the British Council ​- will welcome Angélica Lares, Head of Studio at El Taller del Chucho, the acclaimed stop‑motion studio known for its work on Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio – who will go behind the scenes and meet the directors and craftspeople who bring their unforgettable award-winning worlds to life.  Another major highlight of this year’s programme is a passholders‑only preview of Ray Gunn, the new sci‑fi action feature from animation legend Brad Bird, giving festival audiences a rare first-look ahead of its December launch on Netflix.

Artist talks this year include a session from Sweden‑based, BAFTA and BIFA‑nominated filmmaker Ida Melum – known for Ovary Acting and Night of the Living Dread, and the only director to have won the MAF Audience Award twice. AJ Jeffries will also host an in-depth artist talk following his MAFter Dark win last year for his dark comedy Ducks.

This year’s out‑of‑competition line-up includes a special preview of DreamWorks Animation’s upcoming adventure‑comedy Forgotten Island, while Cartoon Saloon presents the hand‑drawn mermaid tale Julián. French adult animated comedy Jim Queen adds a bold, irreverent perspective to the programme, bringing fresh LGBTQIA+ representation to the festival’s international line‑up. The programme also features a rare screening of The Adventures of Prince Achmed, marking the 100th anniversary of Lotte Reiniger’s pioneering animated film. 

MAF 2026’s international feature film competition showcases an exciting global line‑up of various distinctive titles. The French coming‑of‑age drama In Waves alongside French comedy Blaise, the Japanese sci‑fi feature We Are Aliens, and France’s contemporary musical Viva Carmen, and South Korea’s high‑energy action‑comedy Brave Cat bring together a mix of genres, cultures and creative talent, highlighting the breadth and ambition of this year’s competition.

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.”

Following Aardman’s recent 50th anniversary milestone, Co-founder Peter Lord will be joined by director/animator Will Becher and Creative Director of IP Development Nat McKay for a special conversation looking ahead to the studio’s next ‘50 Years of Clay’. Industrial Light & Magic returns to explore the future of video content in a dedicated session, while BBC Studios Kids & Family presents the making of Vanishing Point, its first animated episodic drama for CBBC. Bradley Harris of Krygon Studios will lead a session supported by EPIC Games exploring the cutting edge of real‑time filmmaking and animation, while the challenges presented by AI across the industry will be examined in depth throughout the programme. A series of events will look at how creators can stay innovative and resilient as the impact of AI continues to shape industry debate. The latest in VR will be showcased through the Animated Immersive Experience events, while a wide range of opportunities for celebration, conversation and creative exchange will run throughout the week. Adult animation specialist Mark Taynton also returns to host the much‑loved Live Drawing Challenge, alongside a lively mix of evening socials throughout the festival.

The festival’s annual awards ceremony – this year presented by writer, comedian and actor Molly McGuiness – will take place on 12 November, celebrating outstanding achievements across British Film, Feature Film, Short Film, Student Film, Commissioned Film, Immersive Work, Children’s Shorts and the Audience Award. Winners will receive the coveted Manchester Animation Festival trophy, handcrafted by renowned North‑West model makers Mackinnon & Saunders. The ceremony also features the Industry Excellence Awards, recognising professionals in writing, storyboarding, character design, and character animation.

Beyond screenings and awards, MAF 2026 offers key industry engagement opportunities, including the return of the Animation Nation Forum, supported this year by Manchester City Council, with sector‑focused panels and discussions. The Bridgewater Hall marketplace – free to attend – facilitates networking between studios, recruiters and animation professionals. The Young Animator of the Year Awards also return, spotlighting emerging talent across 2D, 3D and stop‑motion, with a programme of inspiring YAY events including a special talk from Aardman’s Gav Strange. The festival additionally presents a dedicated family day, featuring hands‑on activities and interactive experiences designed to engage younger audiences and future creatives.

Tickets for this year’s Manchester Animation Festival are on sale NOW