Manimation 2018 Discusses The Future Of Animation

Manimation is an event which for the past six years has gathered together key players from the UK's animation world to discuss the latest developments in the industry. The conference "brings together animation production companies, producers, animators, writers and creative service providers with potential buyers from broadcasters, advertisers, creative agencies, corporate, distribution and more in this friendly and open market setting."  This year, the one-day Manchester-based event has a new format and location. It has also (by popular demand) been arranged to take place the day before the Manchester Animation Festival. The event is sponsored by the BBC and ScreenSkills (funded through National Lottery Funding via the BFI) and is organised by The Children's Media Conference (CMC).

Manimation is described by CMC's Editorial director Greg Childs as  a place where "all types of animation businesses to meet, pitch, network and build lasting relationships, whilst discussing the future of the industry with its key players."

The event will take place on November 12 at  Manchester Technology Centre, and its focus this year will be on the future of animation. Attendees will get the chance to take part in one-to-one meetings, panels and roundtables with experts and industry figures from the BBC, Turner Broadcasting, Nickelodeon, Milkshake, Cake and more. Delegates will be able to pre-book meetings in advance using the Meeting Mojo platform.

Experts available for one-to meetings include:


• Jo Allen, Producer, BBC Children’s Acquisitions & Independent Animation
• Simon Dean, Creative Director EMEA, Turner
• Rob Doherty, VP Production, Cake Entertainment
• Olivier Dumont, President, Family & Brands, eOne
• Jackie Edwards, Head of BBC Children’s Acquisitions & Independent Animation
• Josie Grierson, Production and Programme Manager, Milkshake!
• Sarah Legg-Barratt, Producer, CBeebies
• Richard Kinning, Director of Creative for Northern Europe, Turner
• Lynsey O’Callahan, Senior Programming Manager, Nickelodeon 
• Desiree Peeters, Development Co-ordinator, BBC Children’s Acquisitions & Independent Animation 
• Neil Williams, Head Of Film, Havas Lynx

Further names will be added later. CMC is curating three business-led roundtables that will discuss "realtime engines and the future of production, Skills shortages, apprenticeships and training and Working with Creative Agencies – case studies in successful relationships."

If you work in the British animation industry you can find out more and order tickets here.