Manchester Animation Festival Unveils 2025 Program of Premieres, Previews & Personalities

Manchester Animation Festival (MAF), the U.K.’s only Oscar- and BAFTA- qualifying animation festival, announces its 2025 program celebrating of animation in all its forms. Taking place November 9-13 at HOME and other venues across Manchester, 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.

This year’s line-up features a host of special events that spotlight the creative forces shaping animation today. MAF will honor the celebrated Irish studio Cartoon Saloon (Wolfwalkers, The Breadwinner) with its prestigious Fellowship award. A retrospective marking 50 years of Industrial Light & Magic will celebrate how the legendary studio has revolutionized cinematic animation.

Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Head of Animation Chad Sellers and 2D Animation Lead Renato dos Anjos will offer an exclusive look into The Making of Zootropolis 2 (titled Zootopia 2 in the U.S.), while director Alex Woo lifts the curtain on his Netflix animated feature In Your Dreams. Audiences will also be treated to a behind-the-scenes journey of The Scarecrows’ Wedding, adapted from Julia Donaldson’s beloved book by Magic Light Pictures, and a magical new project from BBC Studios Kids and Family titled Rafi the Wishing Wizard will be unveiled.

MAF 2025’s international feature film competition is bold and eclectic; Japanese director Baku Kinoshita will attend a Q&A following an exclusive preview of The Last Blossom, a visually stunning 2D animation. MAF will also host the U.K. premiere of Arco, a sci-fi fantasy distinguished by its unique visual style, directed and written by Ugo Bienvenu and produced by Félix de Givry and Natalie Portman. I Am Frankelda, a haunting stop- motion feature that is the first of its kind produced in Mexico, directed by Arturo and Roy Ambriz, is making its U.K. debut following acclaim for its gothic storytelling and handcrafted aesthetic. Completing the competition slate are two stand-out films: The Square, a politically charged romance thriller directed by Kim Bo-sol, and Little Amelie or the Character of Rain, an Annecy Cristal winner directed by Maïlys Vallade and Liane-Cho Han.

Other features previewing at the festival include critically acclaimed titles Lesbian Space Princess, directed by Emma Hough Hobbs and Leela Varghese, and a stunning 4K remaster of 1985’s underground classic Angel’s Egg, directed by Mamoru Oshii (Ghost in the Shell). The boundary-pushing, cult favorite studio Adult Swim also returns with New, Newer, Newest — a late-night showcase of exclusive content from their upcoming slate.

“As we stride into a new decade of MAF, we’re thrilled to bring another packed program of premieres, exclusives, special guests and more back to Manchester this November” said 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.”

MAF 2025 invites audiences to explore the craft and innovation of animation through standout panels including 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, which examines animation’s role in advertising, and Epic Games’ Animating in Unreal, offering insight into the future of real-time workflows and cutting-edge techniques. Each morning kicks off with intimate Q&A sessions featuring short filmmakers from around the world, celebrating bold storytelling and fresh perspectives in short-form animation.

The festival continues its commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion with a robust program. BlackFrame Presents offers a powerful short film showcase, panel discussion and networking event that amplifies Black voices in animation. WIA UK leads Where We Go From Here, a timely conversation on gender equity in the industry, while Neurodiversity in Animation: Unlocking Creative Potential — hosted by Aardman and Flycheese Animation — explores inclusive environments and the contributions of neurodivergent creatives.

The festival’s annual awards ceremony, presented by comedian and writer Alasdair Beckett-King, will take place on November 13; 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 based model makers Mackinnon & Saunders. The ceremony also includes the Industry Excellence Awards, honoring professionals in writing, storyboarding, character design and character animation.

Beyond screenings and awards, MAF 2025 offers key industry engagement opportunities, including the return of the Animation Nation Forum with sector-focused panels and discussions, and the Bridgewater Hall marketplace – free to attend and designed to facilitate networking between studios, recruiters and animation professionals. The programme also includes a dedicated family day featuring hands-on activities and interactive experiences aimed at engaging younger audiences and future creatives.

This year marks the first program under MAF’s new three-year partnership with the University of Salford. The collaboration brings exclusive panel sessions, guest lectures, and student-led programming to the festival, reinforcing MAF’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of animation talent and deepening the connection between education and industry.

Manchester Animation Festival is presented with the support of Higher Education Partner University of Salford, Festival Partner HOME and Festival Patrons Adult Swim, BBC Children’s & Education, BBC Studios Kids & Family, Blue Zoo Animation Studio, Epic Games, Industrial Light & Magic and Moho Animation Software.

Manchester Animation Festival runs November 9-13. Tickets are on sale now. Visit manchesteranimationfestival.co.uk for more information and updates.