Manchester Animation Festival

MAF Invites Families to Celebrate Film Together at Family Day 2026

10th November 2026

A packed day of premieres, family favourites and inspiring animation adventures for all ages

Manchester, UK – Monday 26th October – Manchester Animation Festival (MAF), the UK’s only Oscar® and BAFTA®-qualifying animation festival, has announced the return of its popular Family Day, taking place on Sunday 8 November at HOME Manchester.

Designed to bring families together through the joy of storytelling on the big screen, Family Day offers a vibrant mix of exclusive film screenings, special guests and inspiring events for children, teenagers and grown-ups alike.

Leading this year’s programme is the UK premiere of Mog’s Bad Thing, Channel 4’s brand-new adaptation of Judith Kerr’s beloved picture book (HarperCollins Children’s Books) from Lupus Films. Set to air this Christmas, the festival gives audiences the chance to enjoy an exclusive early screening and a special on stage conversation with John Thomson and the creative team. Mog’s Bad Thing promises to be one of the festive season’s most anticipated family viewing events! Audiences will also be among the first in the UK to see Warner Bros. Pictures Animation’s The Cat in the Hat (feature animation by DNEG Animation), with a special festival screening ahead of its UK cinema release this December. 

Families can also enjoy the BBC Family Boxset, a joyful big-screen celebration of some of the UK’s best-loved children’s animation, which is free to attend with tickets booked in advance. Featuring episodes from acclaimed favourites including Zog, Colourblocks, Maebee, Go Jetters Go!, Nikhil & Jay, Duck & Frog and Pablo: Next Level, the screening showcases the creativity, humour and imagination behind some of the highest-quality children’s programming on television today, delighting younger viewers and their grown-ups alike.

For those looking to discover something new, the Short Films for Children Competition showcases a hand-picked selection of magical animated shorts from around the world, while Shorts for Teens offers older audiences the chance to explore bold storytelling, fresh voices and innovative animation beyond the mainstream.

Festival Director Steve Henderson said: “Family Day is all about bringing people together to share the magic of animation on the big screen. Whether it’s discovering a future favourite film or meeting the artists behind the stories, we want families to see something new and leave feeling entertained, inspired and excited about the possibilities of animation.”

Young people interested in animation and creative careers can take inspiration from a range of special talks and events throughout the day. Highlights include Gav Strange: My Animation Journey, where the acclaimed Aardman director, designer and author shares the twists, turns and lessons from his own creative career, encouraging young audiences to follow their passions and embrace creativity.

The day will also host the Young Animator of the Year Awards 2026, sponsored by Hue and Wacom and hosted by the team from multi-award-winning animation studio Blue Zoo. The awards celebrate the creativity, imagination and talent of young people from across the UK, shining a spotlight on the next generation of animation storytellers.

Rounding off the programme is a thought-provoking discussion about the future of animation, featuring Blue Zoo Co-Founder and Managing Director Tom Box alongside Michael Morgan, Animation Mentor and Senior Animator at Paramount Pictures, Kaylie Joy Black Stop-Motion Scenic Artist and William Grave Filmmaker and Founder of The Human Made Mark. As technology continues to transform creative industries, the panel will explore how young talent, original storytelling and human creativity will shape the future of animation.

Whether you’re raising a future animator, looking for an unforgettable family day out, or simply love great stories, Manchester Animation Festival’s Family Day promises a fun-filled celebration of imagination, creativity and big-screen adventure.

Tickets for Family Day are now available and include access to all sessions and events. For more details and to book your pass, visit the Manchester Animation Festival website www.manchesteranimationfestival.co.uk