Manchester Animation Festival Announces 10th Program

 

Any event reaching its 10th edition is impressive. The Manchester Animation Festival reaches that milestone this year. The only Oscar-qualifying animation festival in the UK, and now also a BAFTA-qualifying festival, it is the largest event of its kind in the United Kingdom. The program has now been announced for this year's event. Tickets and passes will go on sale to Patreon subscribers from September 25, with general sales opening from September 27 at 11.AM Early bird offers will be in place until October 14.

This year's festival will include the usual selection of screenings, panels, workshops, masterclasses, ‘making of’ sessions and studio talks, hosted across the city from HOME cinema to the Anthony Burgess Centre, YES, Gasworks and Bridgewater Hall. 

Chris Sanders (How To Train Your Dragon, Lilo and Stitch) will be in attendance to talk about his new film The Wild Robot, followed by a screening of the film. Wallace and Gromit creator Nick Park and Merlin Crossingham will be there to discuss their upcoming film Vengeance Most Fowl. The classic Richard Williams feature The Thief And The Cobbler will be screened and will include a talk and book signing by Imogen Sutton—Williams' wife and long-time producer.  In addition, the festival will also include the Animation Nation Industry Forum, a dedicated family day, and the return of the marketplace to the Bridgewater Hall.

Exclusive making of sessions will dive into the making of Locksmith Animation and Netflix's upcoming festive feature That Christmas, adapted from children's book by Blackadder and Love Actually's Richard Curtis. The film will receive a special presentation with designer Justin Hutchinson-Chatburn, as well as a preview festival screening ahead of the Netflix release. There will also be a look at Cbeebies first-ever animated sit-com about dual heritage British/Asisan brothers Nikhil & Jay.

Additional panels throughout the week will also explore Climate and Nature On Screen. "as BAFTA albert and inspiring animators delve into how climate and nature are portrayed on screen. They will also examine how storytellers can incorporate nature-positive narratives without compromising story integrity, make creative decisions that normalise sustainable behaviours, and authentically weave climate mentions into their work." Further panels include: Animated Answers: Doing IP Properly, How it works Short Film Funding, Short Film Directors Q&A and UK/UA Animation Lab Project Presentation. 

MAF Family day also includes BBC Boxset and Short Films For Children. It also includes the return of Young Animator Of The Year, open to animators 11-18 from across the UK.

In addition to the short films, five features will be screening in competition: Memoir of a Snail, Flow, Black Butterflies, Sultana’s Dream and Sauvages. MAF says "these films push the boundaries of what is possible in feature animation, telling stories and sharing insights that you won’t see in the multiplex. This is a rare opportunity to enjoy some of the best animated feature films on the festival circuit."

Making their Manchester debut is globally recognised adult animation studio Adult Swim. They will be previewing several of their series from their upcoming slate : The eagerly anticipated Common Side Effects,  action-comedy Invincible Fight Girl, stop-motion series Women Wearing Shoulder-Pads,  and the return of Australia's most notorious party girls in Yolo:  Rainbow Trinity, plus a few surprises along the way.

The awards ceremony will be presented on November 14. The event will be hosted by comedian Alisdair Beckett-King, for a night of comedy and animation.  MAF will be presenting awards for Short Film, Feature Film, British Film, Student Film, Commissioned Film, Immersive Awards, Short Film for Children and the Audience Award. Winners will receive the coveted bee statues, designed by McKinnon and Saunders. The annual industry excellence awards will also be announced during the ceremony.

 “Ten years gives us an amazing opportunity to reflect on the extraordinary talent we've showcased in Manchester, " said festival director Steve Henderson. " Over the past decade, we've evolved into the UK's premier animation gathering, and that's thanks to the brilliant creators, visionaries, and supporters who have shared their work, their craft, and their passion. Along with our supporters, the team have worked hard and this year's programme is a testament to that legacy, and I’m looking forward to welcoming the global animation community to Manchester this November for our monumental tenth edition!”

Additional events to be announced. Tickets will be available from here