From the Fest: YAY: Won't A.I Do All the Animating in Future?

From the Fest: YAY: Won’t A.I Do All the Animating in Future?

Available: Fri 13 Nov - Mon 30 Nov 2026

If the Young Animator of the Year Awards prove anything, it's that there is no shortage of enthusiastic talent eager to enter the animation industry. As the world shifts it's focus to automated A.I processes, animation finds itself one of many industries challenged by the prospect of A.I dominating roles which were once human led. Is the future of animation A.I or will industry support these bright young minds to maintain the space for originality and human made work. Join our panel of experts as we discuss the future of animation.

This event was pre-recorded during MAF 2026.

Guests

Tom Box

Co-founder and joint managing director of multiple Emmy and BAFTA winning Blue Zoo Animation Studio, Tom has been the driving force behind continuing to push the studio forwards, both technically and culturally. Tom is also very active with skills and future talent development, acting as Chair of the ScreenSkills Animation Skills Council, NextGen Skills Academy, Manchester Animation Festival and is a founding director of ACCESS:VFX.

Kaylie Joy Black

Kaylie has built a career within stop-motion animation’s art departments. Her roles have included set builder, set designer, prop maker, set dresser and scenic painter.

Michael Morgan

Born and raised on Movies, Videogames and Comics of the 1980s. Always drawing and creating art as a child, over time Michael would find himself on a path in becoming an Animator in the world of film, VFX and Videogames.
A Leader, a Mentor, an Artist, a traveller around the globe, living an Animated life!