Artist Talk: AJ Jefferies
Enter the eye catching and colourful mind of AJ Jefferies - better known as Moonjam - as we explore his menagerie of animated mayhem.
Mon 09 Nov 2026 - 10:40
For Industry
Careers & Cake: The Art of Networking with DNEG Animation
Join the DNEG Animation team for an event that will fuel your creativity and career! This is the perfect opportunity to connect with peers, gain insight from industry heavyweights, and practice your networking skills in a fun low-pressure environment.
Mon 09 Nov 2026 - 12:30
Is the Animation Industry Doing Enough for People of Colour?
Highlighting roadblocks in place across industry that prevent people of colour progressing their careers, how studios can remove them and if POC talent needs to break away from the mainstream to thrive.
Mon 09 Nov 2026 - 15:30
MAF Book Club: The Art of Writing Animation + Signing
This talk explores the relationship between storyboarding and writing during the development process of animated films (shorts and features) and series (web and TV), featuring case studies from the book "The Art of Writing Animation".
Mon 09 Nov 2026 - 16:00
The Making of Laika’s Wildwood
We celebrate Laika’s 6th animated feature film and invite you to join a team of animators as we step into Wildwood for a look behind the scenes at the Portland studios most ambitious feature film to date and discover how Travis Knight’s epic new fantasy adventure was brought to life.
Mon 09 Nov 2026 - 18:30
IEA Character Design Workshop
Join professional character designer and illustrator Chloe Dominique for an exclusive Industry Excellence Award Workshop focused on finding the story through character design, crafting appealing, expressive characters for young audiences.
Tue 10 Nov 2026 - 10:30
ANF Connect 1
Looking to grow your business and make industry connections? ANF Connect is the must-attend B2B meeting event of the Animation Nation Forum, designed to offer a unique opportunity to book 15-minute one-on-one meetings with the finest minds in animation, allowing you to pitch ideas, form partnerships, and take your business to the next level.
Tue 10 Nov 2026 - 10:30
How it Works: Picking a Producer
You've got the idea for a fantastic feature, how do you get it made? How it Works: Picking a Producer will unpack the producer mindset and give you the tools to develop key partnerships to take your ideas to the next level.
Tue 10 Nov 2026 - 10:30
Meet the Minds Behind MASHED Spud Gun Studios
Spud Gun Studios are the team behind the wildly popular Mashed, one of the biggest animated channels on YouTube. Get to know the Spud Gun philosophy and go behind the scenes to discover how original IP, work with huge brands, and music for a new generation of digital-first fans keep Spud Gun firing!
Tue 10 Nov 2026 - 12:15
ANF Connect 2
Looking to grow your business and make industry connections? ANF Connect is the must-attend B2B meeting event of the Animation Nation Forum, designed to offer a unique opportunity to book 15-minute one-on-one meetings with the finest minds in animation, allowing you to pitch ideas, form partnerships, and take your business to the next level.
Tue 10 Nov 2026 - 12:30
Animated Answers: Funny You Should Say
Joining us to discuss the secrets to sniggering, uncover the mysteries to mirth making the and to de-classify chuckles are our panel of experts who are on hand to listen to your questions and offer their animated answers.
Tue 10 Nov 2026 - 12:30
Making it in Manchester
Our showcase of the best of the north-west, Making it in Manchester demonstrates the impressive array of talent and incredible projects that make Manchester one of the nation’s premier animation hotspots.
Tue 10 Nov 2026 - 14:00
IEA Character Design Workshop
Join professional character designer and illustrator Chloe Dominique for an exclusive Industry Excellence Award Workshop focused on finding the story through character design, crafting appealing, expressive characters for young audiences.
Tue 10 Nov 2026 - 14:30
ANF Connect 3
Looking to grow your business and make industry connections? ANF Connect is the must-attend B2B meeting event of the Animation Nation Forum, designed to offer a unique opportunity to book 15-minute one-on-one meetings with the finest minds in animation, allowing you to pitch ideas, form partnerships, and take your business to the next level.
Tue 10 Nov 2026 - 14:30
Animation UK Members Meeting and CEO Roundtable
Animation UK host their regular members' meeting at MAF. All registered AUK members welcome!
Tue 10 Nov 2026 - 15:00
Fix the Animation Nation
Panels are good at listing problems, but how good are we at presenting the solutions? We ask MAF and ANF delegates to step forward to share what is holding us back and present solutions that lay out their vision for the future.
Tue 10 Nov 2026 - 16:30
WIA UK Networking
Join WIA UK at Gasworks on Tue 10 Nov for a chance to drink, chat and connect with fellow women & minority genders in animation. If you're a MAF-goer, student, film buff or just passing through, we welcome members of the animation community at all levels. No tickets are required for this meet up.
Tue 10 Nov 2026 - 19:30
Live Drawing Challenge
Calling all animators, artists, and illustrators! Get ready for a unique in person experience where you’ll put your creative skills to the test in an epic, one-of-a-kind live drawing challenge. Fresh from a screening of DreamWork's Forgotten Island.
Tue 10 Nov 2026 - 20:15
Welcome Breakfast
Grab a coffee and some brekkie, and kick off the Animation Nation Forum the right way.
Wed 11 Nov 2026 - 08:30
ANF Welcome Keynote
Join us as we kick off the 2026 Animation Nation Forum, our opening address focusses on the animation activity that is impacting the local, national, and international animation picture.
Wed 11 Nov 2026 - 09:30
MAF Marketplace
Come one, come all down to the MAF Marketplace. The marketplace is a free place to come and meet up with companies and suppliers from the world of animation for recruitment, portfolio reviews, IP and legal advice, funding and lots more.
Wed 11 Nov 2026 - 09:30
Where Is The Next Generation of Talent Coming From?
How do we make sure today’s uncertainty doesn’t become tomorrow’s skills gap? Our experts unpack what good practice looks like, share practical approaches, and ask the bigger questions around how we attract, nurture and retain the next generation of talent.
Wed 11 Nov 2026 - 10:15
The Hero’s Journey, Animating with ILM
From iconic VFX blockbusters to the next steps of feature animation, step inside the creative vault of Industrial Light & Magic.
Wed 11 Nov 2026 - 10:15
Portfolio Reviews – Morning
Are you ready to showcase your talent to animation industry powerhouses? Professionals from top studios and companies are coming to the MAF Marketplace on the lookout for fresh talent—and this is your chance to shine!
Wed 11 Nov 2026 - 10:30
Coffee Break
Grab a tea/coffee in the break between ANF sessions, courtesy of MAF!
Wed 11 Nov 2026 - 11:15
Animation Featured
With the spotlight on feature animation creatives and studios need to be ready for the opportunities and the demands that come with it. How can our industry develop the skills, infrastructure and creative ambition needed to compete in a global feature animation landscape?
Wed 11 Nov 2026 - 11:30
Portfolio Reviews – Lunch
Are you ready to showcase your talent to animation industry powerhouses? Professionals from top studios and companies are coming to the MAF Marketplace on the lookout for fresh talent—and this is your chance to shine!
Wed 11 Nov 2026 - 12:30
The Super Summit
Senior roles in animation form the bedrock of any production. They develop the culture and share knowledge throughout projects contributing enormously to their success. Our invite only Super Summit welcomes the people powering production
Wed 11 Nov 2026 - 12:30
Lunch Break
Take a break and refuel for the rest of the day's sessions.
Wed 11 Nov 2026 - 12:30
Animation for Good
When animation can do anything, what limits do we need to set ourselves to ensure what we create is responsible both on screen and behind the scenes? Animation for Good will lead the way!
Wed 11 Nov 2026 - 12:30
The Making of MaeBee
Join the team from Karrot Animation for a behind-the-scenes look at the making of MaeBee, the new series from the team behind Sarah & Duck.
Wed 11 Nov 2026 - 13:00
Making Characters Work
From platforms creating their own characters to established IP finding new audiences in new places such as social, apps and new digital spaces, the opportunities for characters to work are expanding. Discover how character is a powerful tool for engagement, brand building and commercial growth.
Wed 11 Nov 2026 - 13:15
Portfolio Reviews – Afternoon
Are you ready to showcase your talent to animation industry powerhouses? Professionals from top studios and companies are coming to the MAF Marketplace on the lookout for fresh talent—and this is your chance to shine!
Wed 11 Nov 2026 - 14:30
ANF: State of the Animation Nation
Presenting the State of the Animation Nation roundtable discussion; a session where animation's finest reflect on the challenges and triumphs that the industry has faced, and what lies ahead.
Wed 11 Nov 2026 - 14:30
ANF: Meet your Producer
All successful feature and short projects start with a successful team. In this session we bring together creatives and producers for an opportunity to kick start collaboration and start those successful projects today!
Wed 11 Nov 2026 - 14:45
MAF x Animates by SODA: Networking Event with Challenge
Animates MCR connects aspiring animation professionals and enthusiasts in Manchester, through regular networking events showcasing reels and setting animation challenges for those who attend.
Wed 11 Nov 2026 - 15:00
Animating Tomorrow: Skills, Technology and Innovation
Exploring the evolving technological landscape of animation. What skills will matter tomorrow? How can artists and animators stay creative in a tech driven world and how can R&D and experimentation create new creative possibilities?
Wed 11 Nov 2026 - 15:00
ANF Drinks Reception
After a day of insightful animation business networking, we invite you to wind down at our evening drinks reception thanks to our drinks sponsor Animation UK.
Wed 11 Nov 2026 - 15:30
Making of Julián
Go behind the scenes on the latest Cartoon Saloon feature film Julián, with director Louise Bagnall, showing how a much-loved picture book can become a feature length story that expands on the young protagonist's journey using Cartoon Saloon's trademark visual richness and empathetic storytelling skill.
Wed 11 Nov 2026 - 16:15
Northwestivus
Join animators and animation fans for a chance to laugh, cry, network, gossip, mingle, commune and drink proper northern beer until last orders at the bar!
Wed 11 Nov 2026 - 19:30
IEA Storyboarding Workshop
Join professional storyboard artist Lauren Auty for an exclusive Industry Excellence Award Workshop. In this focused session, Lauren will explore the art of visual storytelling for young audiences sharing her process, creative tips, and practical advice for crafting expressive and engaging storyboards.
Thu 12 Nov 2026 - 10:30
Artist Talk: Ida Melum
MAF welcomes director Ida Melum for an inspiring artist talk as we go behind the scenes on her process that brought the films Night of the Living Dread and Ovary Acting to life.
Thu 12 Nov 2026 - 10:30
How Small Studios Can Think Big With Unreal Engine
Bradley Harris of Krygon Studios explores the cutting edge of real-time filmmaking and animation, and demonstrates how emerging technologies are changing the way stories and characters are brought to to the screen.
Thu 12 Nov 2026 - 12:00
Vanishing Point: Crafting High-Impact Storytelling for Young Audiences
Join an exclusive preview screening and behind-the-scenes discussion with the show's creative team of Vanishing Point, BBC Children's first animated series to feature a narrative arc. Learn more about the quirky supernatural, comedy-action storytelling and the mysteries that unfold across the series.
Thu 12 Nov 2026 - 12:15
Making of Mog’s Bad Thing
Bother that cat! Much loved feline Mog returns to screens this Christmas, with a special preview at this years MAF.
Thu 12 Nov 2026 - 14:00
IEA Storyboarding Workshop
Join professional storyboard artist Lauren Auty for an exclusive Industry Excellence Award Workshop. In this focused session, Lauren will explore the art of visual storytelling for young audiences sharing her process, creative tips, and practical advice for crafting expressive and engaging storyboards.
Thu 12 Nov 2026 - 14:30
Mexico in Motion: Behind the Scenes at El Taller del Chucho
Step inside El Taller del Chucho, Guadalajara’s incredible stop-motion studio, backed by visionary filmmaker Guillermo del Toro, founded by The University of Guadalajara and fuelled by the passion of incredible filmmakers and artists.
Thu 12 Nov 2026 - 16:00
MAF 2026 Awards Ceremony
Join us and MAF Awards Host Molly McGuinness for an evening of comedy and celebration as we hand out the coveted Manchester Animation Festival trophies crafted by master model makers Mackinnon and Saunders.
Thu 12 Nov 2026 - 20:00
The AfterMAF
MAF isn’t over yet! Come join us to send off the festival in style, catch up with friends old and new, and help us celebrate our 12th edition.
Thu 12 Nov 2026 - 21:30
From the Fest: Animation for Good
Pre-recorded at MAF 2026. When animation can do anything, what limits do we need to set ourselves to ensure what we create is responsible both on screen and behind the scenes? Animation for Good will lead the way!
Fri 13 Nov 2026 - 00:01
From the Fest: Artist Talk: Ida Melum
Pre-recorded at MAF 2026. MAF welcomes director Ida Melum for an inspiring artist talk as we go behind the scenes on her process that brought the films Night of the Living Dread and Ovary Acting to life.
Fri 13 Nov 2026 - 00:01
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