Manchester Animation Festival

Aisha Jan

Aisha is the Coordinator across two fast-paced funding strands (International Co-production and International Distribution) assessing eligibility, and curating one promotional strand (ScreenUK) at UK Global Screen Fund.

Alison Warner

Alison Warner is Head of Original Content for Blue Zoo Animation and has responsibility for the growth and exploitation of Blue Zoo’s original in-house content including the Number 1 hit shows Mojo Swoptops, Numberblocks, Alphablocks, Millie and Lou and Big Tree City. 

Andrew Baker

Andrew Baker is an award-winning Producer and Executive Producer and founder of Cantilever Media, a UK based film and television production company, and Kazoo Films, a UK and Ireland animated film distribution company.

Andy Wright

Andy is a BFI Certification expert on the UK tax credits (Animation, Film, Videogames, Kids TV, High-end TV) for the industry. He is available to share knowledge to new audiences and producers about UK tax credits and British certification – including official co-production.

Andy has been part of the Certification Unit at the BFI since 2013 when the television tax credits were first introduced, working as the analyst for animation and high-end TV sectors.

Chapman Maddox

Chapman Maddox is London-based film and television producer currently serving as a Development Executive at BBC Studios. Previously, Maddox was Vice President of Content at Boat Rocker Studios UK, executive producing Daniel Spellbound for Netflix, Love Monster for CBeebies and HBO Max, Danger Mouse for CBBC and Netflix, and Get Even/Rebel Cheer Squad for Netflix and BBC iPlayer.

Christian Hughes

Christian Hughes is the creator of Gecko’s Garage, a hit kids’ series with over 4 billion YouTube views and a top 10 spot on Netflix Kids. Now a YouTube growth strategist, he helps shape the future of kids’ content through data-led creativity.

Elaine McElroy

Elaine is Project Manager for the UK Global Screen Fund at the BFI. Her role includes assessing the financial elements of applications to all the funding strands, including the International Co-production fund. 

James Cross

James Cross is the founder and Chief Creative Officer of Meanwhile in Manchester, which was recently named Campaign’s Start-Up Agency of the Year. Previously, he was Creative Director of BBC Creative, where together with partner Tim Jones (also a founder of Meanwhile) won a BAFTA for the corporation’s Tokyo Olympics campaign, along with over 200 creative and effectiveness awards in their 5-year stint. Previous to this James has worked at several McCann Worldgroup offices, independent agencies, and has even written several screenplays, including Bat Shit with Romesh Ranganathan and Rich Hall, and the award-winning documentary, Pot Of Gold.

Katie Bignell

Katie founded Festival Formula in 2014 after spotting a gap in the knowledge of filmmakers around film festivals. With 20+ years experience behind it they are providing strategy support to filmmakers world-wide. Katie and her husband Ian Bignell were the recipients of the Pioneering Spirit Award awarded by Heartland Film, and the company have also received awards from London Breeze Film Festival (2024) and the Poppy Jasper Film Festival (2025). Katie is a key spokesperson on festival issues with coverage in The Hollywood Reporter and Screen Daily and has served on numerous festival juries including Cleveland International, PÖFF Shorts Film Festival, Palm Springs Shortsfest and Raindance.

Tony Reed

Tony Reed is the Production Creative Director for Animation at BBC Studios Kids & Family, overseeing all animation production and working closely with the animation development team. Tony’s career spans over 30 years both independently for companies such as Disney, Nickelodeon, ITV, Channel 5, BBC Children’s and now as staff at BBC Studios. He specialises in animation and puppetry but has a broad experience writing, directing, producing and executive producing across all genres including live theatrical events.