Manchester Animation Festival Announces 2022 Program
Manchester Animation Festival is among the biggest animation events in the UK. After a fully virtual edition in 2020 and a hybrid virtual/in-person event in 2021 MAF is back this year as a fully in-person festival this year. And it's bigger than ever, for the first time expanding from its usual location of Home Cinema and into other locations around the city. This year's festival runs from November 13-18.
The festival will screen the usual selection of short films from around the world as well as student and commissioned films- all of which will be in contention for the festival prizes. The feature line-up is MAF's biggest yet and includes:
• Unicorn Wars - Blending animated classic Bambi with anti-war epic Apocalypse Now, Unicorn Wars follows a group of inexperienced teddy bear recruits who are sent on a dangerous mission to save the Magic Forest from unicorns in a dark comedy that uses animated fantasy to ponder the origin of evil.
•The Island - With a hypnotic soundtrack and colourful surreal visuals, The Island is an animated musical that tips the Robinson Crusoe story on its head. After saving Friday, the only survivor of an illegal refugee boat, Robinson confronts current affairs through visual poetry and symbolism in a world where everybody looks for their own paradise. (UK Premiere)
•My Love Affair with Marriage - My Love Affair with Marriage follows lovelorn Zelma, but the more she tries to conform, the more her body resists in this story about acceptance and inner female rebellion.
•Nayola - Following three generations of women in a 25-year-long civil war in Angola, Nayola sees past and present interlace. The mother goes in search of her missing husband at the height of the war and doesn’t return. Her daughter has become a subversive rapper while her grandmother tries to contain her for fear of the police coming to arrest her.
•No Dogs Or Italians Allowed - Set in the early 20th century and chronicling the lives of the Ughetto family in Northern Italy, the Ughettos dream of a better life abroad. His grandson travels back in time through the magic of animation to revisit his family history. (UK Premiere)
Additionally, there will be Gala Screenings of the much anticipated Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio and My Father's Dragon, the new film from Nora Twomey and Cartoon Saloon. My Father's Dragon will also get a making-of session. There will also be a special preview screening of Terry Pratchett adaptation The Amazing Maurice and a 25th Anniversary of the Satoshi Kon classic Perfect Blue.
The festival line-up will include a look behind the scenes of the brand new Aardman Animation series Lloyd Of The Flies and a making-of session of the Netflix series Dead End: Paranormal Park with creator Hamish Steele.
The festival will commemorate the 30th anniversary of the legendary studio McKinnon and Saunders, with a special look back at their work including Fantastic Mr Fox, The Corpse Bride, Postman Pat and Bob The Builder.
This year's recipients of the MAF Fellowship are Camilla Deakin and Ruth Fielding of Lupus Films. In a special session, they will look at the history of their studio, highlight their favourite films and take a look ahead to what's next for Lupus.
The festival will also feature a line-up of masterclasses, workshops, networking events and round-tables, as well as Family and Industry Days. The hosts of the popular Ghiblioteque Podcast will host a book signing and a live show, and the famous Skwigly Quiz is back once again.
Visit the festival website now for full event details or to pick up tickets.
