Manchester Animation Festival

Animating Tomorrow 2025

An electrifying two-day celebration of innovation, creativity, and collaboration in animation, Animating Tomorrow 2025 was the ultimate event for the North-West animation community, uniting industry talent, trailblazing creatives, and global leaders in creative technology to revolutionise the way we bring stories to life. For 2025 we took things to the next level by pairing our fantastic speaker sessions with hands-on workshops designed to inspire and empower. Whether you’re an animator, producer, or tech enthusiast, Animating Tomorrow 2025 was your chance to network, learn, and shape the future of animation. 

Animating Tomorrow is brought to you by Manchester Animation Festival in partnership with the MediaCity Immersive Technologies Innovation Hub – a growing community of innovation in Virtual Production, Immersive Technologies and Gametech supporting businesses in Greater Manchester. This event is supported by Innovate UK as part of the Greater Manchester Innovation Accelerator Programme.

Explore Animating Tomorrow 2025

Schedule
About the sessions & Workshops
Speakers and Workshop Leaders
Photo Gallery

Schedule

Day One – Wed 26 Mar
08:30 – Arrival

09:00 – Welcome to Animating Tomorrow

09:15 – Art of the Possible Panel
Speakers:
Hayden Jones (Industrial Light and Magic)
Ross Richards (Cloud Imperium Games)
Ruth Ducker (Roobot)

10:45 – 13:30 – Speaker Presentations:
Dane Winn (Blue Zoo) Universal Face Rig
Richard Wormwell (dock10) How to use AI in your animation

13:30 – 14:15 – Lunch

14:15 – 17:00 – Speaker Presentations:
Darren Dubicki (Aardman)  Immersive Creativity: Crafting Stop Motion Magic with VR Technology
Victor Paredes (Moho) New Ways to Think 2D Animation

17:00 – 17:30 – Closing Remarks 

17:30 – 19:30 – MAF Presents: Making it in Greater Manchester
Microtalk Presentations:
Bradley Harris (Krygon Studios)
Haydn Secker (Gadzooks Studio)
Joe Spademan (Doodledo) 

Day Two – Thu 27 Mar 

A day of workshops where participants were able to get hands-on experience with an in-depth focus on one of the presentations from day one.

 09:00 – Welcome & Recap 

09:15 – Presentation: Metaphysic AI: The Development of Neural Animation at Metaphysic
Speaker: Terry Bannon

10:45 – 14:45 – Workshop (included 1 hour lunch break)

14:45 – Showcase, Summary and Looking forward

16:30 – End

About the sessions & Workshops

Art of the Possible Roundtable
Panel Discussion exploring the changes that innovative technologies might bring about to animation production and how these will shape the industry. Featuring Ruth Ducker from Roobot Productions, Ross Richard of Cloud Imperium Games and Hayden Jones from Industrial Light & Magic (see bios below).

Universal Face Rig
A close-up look at an exciting R&D project at Blue-Zoo Animation to create a one-click facial rig that can accommodate a vast array of styles, both 2D and 3D and what that means for the studio in a rapidly evolving climate.

Workshop: Universal Face Rig
This workshop will be a chance to try out Blue-Zoo’s innovative face rig; customising it to a design of your own, then putting it to the test by animating to a selection of dialogue samples, hopefully walking away inspired to create something similar for your future projects.

How to use AI in your animation with dock10
dock10 is nearing the completion of ALL.VP – AI Lighting for Live Virtual Production, a UKRI-backed Bridge AI flagship programme. As the 12-month, £1.8 million project reaches its conclusion, Richard Wormwell, Head of Innovation and Board Chair for the project, will explore the key challenges in Virtual Production. He will also showcase how a combination of video, animation, and generative AI techniques has led to the development of three new service offerings for the animation and virtual production sectors.

Workshop: Vicon Motion Capture with dock10
Using world-class facilities at dock10, explore the motion capture pipeline in this hands-on workshop led by Andy Elliot and Katie Bayman. Using a 12-camera Vicon system, you’ll experience the full pipeline, from rigging a performer to exporting a retargeted FBX file. Working with professional actors rigged with the latest technology, you’ll gain insight into industry-standard techniques for capturing authentic movement. By the end of the session, you’ll not only have a deeper understanding of MoCap workflows but also the chance to record and take home your own captured data for further use in your projects.

Immersive Creativity: Crafting Stop Motion Magic with VR Technology

An insight into how Darren Dubicki has embraced VR design to become intrinsic in his directing and designing processes, demonstrated here for Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl. This virtual studio ‘immersion’ gives Darren tools that mesh spatial and storytelling information, and more viscerally, a feeling of naturally sculpting 3D worlds.
In the world of Stop Motion feature film, efficiency is key in designing to space and budget. Creating these worlds in the VR space allows artists and directors to ‘feel’ and experience the sets way ahead of their physical existence in the studio, and helps to align key creative departments in the vision.

Workshop: Immersive Creativity: Crafting Stop Motion Magic with VR Technology
Step into the world of virtual sculpting and storytelling with this hands-on Gravity Sketch workshop with Darren Dubicki. This session invites participants to explore the power of VR world-building for production design, where efficiency and spatial awareness are key. Learn how to intuitively sculpt 3D environments, visualise sets before they physically exist, and align creative departments through immersive design.

New Ways to Think 2D Animation with Moho
In a world full of advances for 3D and the shade of AI pretending to replace the artists’ point of view, Moho takes a different approach, giving new and innovative tools to accelerate the 2D animation process, while allowing the animators to reach the results they are looking for.
With examples from Wolfwalkers, Star Wars Visions – Screecher’s Reach, My Father’s Dragon and Scavengers Reign, Víctor will showcase rigs and vector drawings that can live together with traditional animation, showing how Moho’s rigging tools, particles, physics, flexible brushes and smart boiling not only simplify the process, but also provide new ways to give life to the artwork.

Workshop: Taking advantage of Moho Pro’s 2D rigging tools
Join us for a hands-on workshop exploring Moho Animation Software, a powerful and accessible tool for character animation. This session will focus on making the most of Moho’s rigging and animation features, with an emphasis on practical techniques used in professional pipelines.
Guided by Victor Paredes and Dani Abram, this session will cover object, bone, and hand-drawn animation, with a focus on acting and performance. Participants will create short animated scenes that balance technical skills with creative expression. This workshop will provide a space to experiment, learn, and develop your animation practice.

Keynote: The Development of Neural Animation at Metaphysic
A discussion about the development of an animation pipeline leveraging neural networks at Metaphysic from inception through to robust user case on Alien Romulus.

Making it in Greater Manchester
Making It in Greater Manchester is a show-and-tell celebration where makers from the world of animation show off their latest work, share how they did it, and chat about the ups and downs of bringing ideas to life. Presented to accompany our Animating Tomorrow event, so expect innovation, behind-the-scenes stories, and plenty of time to grab a drink, meet fellow creatives, and share the love for all things animated in Greater Manchester.

Krygon Studios – The Hack
Bradley Harris of Krygon Studios gives a behind-the-scenes look at his innovative work on the Noche UFC Dome — a striking blend of immersive visuals in a unique environment. In collaboration with Dock10, go behind the scenes on “The Hack”, a gripping short film that combined narrative depth with cinematic innovation, using motion capture facilities to capture intricate details of character performance.

Digital Puppetry with Gadzooks
Haydn is a writer, director and animation producer with over 25 years experience working in film, television, advertising and computer games. Specialising in stop-frame animation he has worked on a wide variety of productions including such major broadcast series as Postman Pat, Rupert Bear and Raa the Noisy Lion. As co-founder of Gadzooks Studio he has independently produced several short films, commercials and promos for BFI, Sky, BBC and Channel 4. In collaboration with MITIH’s Dreamlab, he is currently researching the rapidly developing field of real-time interactive performer driven digital character manipulation or “digital puppetry”.

From Scroll to Screen – Bringing the Bible to Life Through Virtual Production
Virtual production combines physical and digital elements to create realistic and immersive environments for filmmaking. By utilising cutting-edge technologies such as LED walls and motion capture, filmmakers can push the limitations of traditional sets and open up a world of possibilities.In this presentation, Joe will give us a behind the scenes tour of how Doodledo meticulously recreated over 20 virtual locations for The Bible Society – transforming a studio in Manchester into a diverse and flexible series of locations over two intense days of filming.This presentation offers a unique opportunity to gain insights into the exciting world of virtual production. Learn from the experiences, challenges, and triumphs faced by Doodledo as they pushed the boundaries of storytelling. Discover how virtual production can impact the way our films and television shows are made, and be inspired by the possibilities it holds for the future of filmmaking.

Speakers and Workshop Leaders

Richard Wormwell – dock10
Richard Wormwell has over 25 years of experience in the broadcast industry, holding high-profile global roles. With a background in broadcast engineering, he became a multi-camera studio director for major UK and international broadcasters. He is currently Head of Production Innovation at dock10, specializing in virtual production, media convergence, and generative AI. Throughout his career, Richard has consistently pushed the boundaries of broadcast innovation, merging technology with creativity to enhance viewer experiences and foster industry collaborations.

Katie Bayman – dock10
Katie Bayman is a Virtual Studio Developer and Motion Capture Operator at dock10, specialising in virtual production and real-time rendering. A Broadcast Tech Innovation Awards winner, she excels in 3D modelling, Unreal Engine, and motion capture. Passionate about creativity and technology, she brings immersive digital experiences to life.

About dock10 
dock10 is the UK’s leading television facility where some of the nation’s best loved programmes are made. Based at the heart of Media City, our studios and specialist post production services offer broadcasters, production companies and creative agencies the world-class facilities they need to produce award-winning content. https://www.dock10.co.uk/

Darren Dubicki – Aardman Animations
Darren is a director and designer with 20 years experience in the animation and design industries. During this time he has worked across a broad spectrum of media, employing his mixed media, creative and filmmaking skills in film, broadcast, commercial and print projects. His work has also contributed to Academy Award® winning and nominated feature films, award winning shorts, BAFTA® nominated children’s TV series and channel branding as a designer or art director.

About Aardman Animations
For over 40 years, Aardman has entertained and charmed the world, creating much loved characters and bringing unforgettable stories to life. Living and breathing the values that underpin their creative processes and culture – integrity, excellence, humour, independence, collaboration and openness. They are committed to providing a workplace where people and ideas can truly thrive, and strive to have a positive impact on their local community. https://www.aardman.com/

About Gravity Sketch
With Gravity Sketch you can create the way you think, in 3D, and dive into your ideas head first. It provides an intuitive, immersive, and powerful space to bring your ideas to life. https://gravitysketch.com/

Dane Winn – Blue Zoo Animation
Dane Winn is a London-based animator and director renowned for his innovative storytelling and distinctive visual style. Dane’s background as a 3D artist informs his hands-on approach to directing and filmmaking where he is passionate about discovering new and compelling ways to communicate ideas and tell stories. Dane has worked with brands such as Disney, LEGO, Facebook, BBC Sport, Glenfiddich and many more, producing several award-winning short films, commercials and spots over the years, professionally and independently.

About Blue Zoo
Founded in 2000 by university classmates, the studio has organically grown to become one of the UK’s leading character animation production companies. It aims to produce joyfully compelling stories full of character by creating beautiful animation. Since its inception, the studio has continuously experimented and explored its way to success, not just for itself but for the entire industry— from founding AnimationUK to contributing to various progressive industry initiatives. https://www.blue-zoo.co.uk/

About Blender
Blender is a free and open-source 3D computer graphics software tool set that runs on Windows, macOS, BSD, Haiku, IRIX and Linux. It is used for creating animated films, visual effects, art, 3D-printed models, motion graphics, interactive 3D applications, and virtual reality. It is also used in creating video games. https://www.blender.org/

Victor Paredes – Moho
Víctor Paredes is a Chilean animator and co-founder of Moho. He has worked as Moho Animator in “Wolfwalkers” and as Moho Animation Supervisor in “My Father’s Dragon”, “Star Wars Visions – Screecher’s Reach” and the movie “Puffin Rock and the new friends”. In Chile, he has also been a screenplay writer and animator volunteer in many political projects and NGOs.

Dani Abram – Moho
Dani Abram has nearly 20 years experience in the animation industry, working across games, films and tv, for some of the worlds best loved studios.
Her Moho obsession led her to Cartoon Saloon, where she was Build And Rig Supervisor on the Puffin Rock movie, as well as Lead Animator for the popular tv series. She creates Moho tutorials for Youtube, and represents the software at festivals, performing demonstrations for hundreds of guests and studios. She has trained teams and students in studios, universities and beyond!

About Moho
Lost Marble’s award-winning animation software Moho is an amazing digital storytelling tool. From its humble beginnings as a hobbyist animation software application created by Mike Clifton to eventually empowering thousands with the ability to animate in an easy and efficient manner using vector tools and skeletal rigs. Moho is now the animation tool of choice for many professionals and studios who are giving life to their characters and scenes! Moho® has everything you need to make amazing, professional animations. Used in the OSCAR® nominated films, The Breadwinner, Song of the Sea, Secret of the Kells and Wolfwalkers for Best Animated Feature Film. https://moho.lostmarble.com/

Panelists – Art of the Possible Roundtable

Ruth Ducker – Robot
BAFTA nominated Series and Animation Director, Ruth Ducker has a passion for stories. She brings over 20 years of experience, working with major broadcasters amongst others Disney Junior, Sky Kids, CBBC and Universal Kids. She has built a strong foundation in narrative and visual storytelling, gaining knowledge through multiple stages of production from art department through to post production. Finding her niche in Directing, where all these elements collide.
About Roobot Productions
ROOBOT LTD is a family run production company, with over 30 years combined experience in the Film and TV industry. Working out of London and Los Angeles.

Ross Richards – Cloud Imperium Games
Ross has worked in motion capture for over 12 years for mainly video games, film and tv. He currently manages the talented Mocap Team at Cloud Imperium Games as Senior Lead Motion Capture Specialist.
About Cloud Imperium Games
Cloud Imperium Games is a new kind of independent studio dedicated to delivering AAA experiences outside the established publisher system, founded by Chris Roberts, creator of the best selling Wing Commander and Freelancer series, Cloud Imperium is currently developing Star Citizen, a record-shattering crowd funded title that combines classic space sim gameplay with Hollywood-caliber visuals.

Hayden Jones – Industrial Light & Magic
A Primetime Emmy Award-winning Visual Effects Supervisor, Hayden Jones has over 25 years of experience in the industry. He was VFX Supervisor on Netflix’s Lost Ollie, alive-action/animation hybrid family series directed by Peter Ramsey, for which he also won an Emmy for outstanding VFX. Hayden most recently served as VFX supervisor on the Netflix animated feature, Ultraman: Rising.
About Industrial Light & Magic
Since 1975, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) has set the standard for visual effects, creating some of the most stunning images in the history of film. At the forefront of the digital revolution, ILM continues to break new ground in the field not only in visual effects but now virtual reality, augmented reality, immersive entertainment, and virtual production.
ILM is the leading effects facility in the world, with studios located in San Francisco, Vancouver, London, Sydney, and Mumbai. The company serves the motion picture, television, streaming, commercial production, and attraction industries. ILM has created visual effects for over 500 feature films and television shows.

Keynote: Metaphysic AI

Terry Bannon
Born in South Africa in sunny Cape Town, and moved to Dublin to study classical animation. After that he moved to London to pursue passion and has since contributed to numerous high-end Hollywood blockbusters. Specializing in facial performance for the past decade, he has developed advanced facial pipelines, rigs, and workflows for major films. With deep technical expertise in FACS, facial rigging, modeling, and tool development—combined with a keen eye for performance—he strives to integrate surgical-level anatomical knowledge into authentic digital performances.
About Metaphysic AI
A leading generative AI platform for photorealistic, Hollywood-grade content, recently awarded TIME100 Most Influential Companies 2023 and named one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies 2024.
Since 2018 Metaphysic have pioneered machine learning for generative content and ethical AI where people own their biometric data and creativity thrives.

Microtalk Presentations – MAF Presents: Making it in Greater Manchester

Bradley Harris – Krygon Studios
With 15 years of experience in the games and CG industries, Bradley has worked on a number of successful AAA, console, and mobile game titles. He has worked on first-party Xbox titles, the Star Wars franchise, plus new IP. He is a highly results-driven, self-motivated, resourceful artist, with an ability to successfully translate desired moods, messages, concepts, and underdeveloped ideas into imagery. He possesses the ability to see the big picture and continually develop new and inspiring approaches to a project.
About Krygon Studios
Krygon Studios is a Manchester-based digital art outsourcing studio showcasing cutting-edge character animation and 3D production work, the studio creates compelling digital characters and environments ranging from hyper-realistic to stylized art. The exhibition features work from high-profile projects including the MSG Sphere in Las Vegas and collaborations with Dock10, demonstrating expertise in democratizing high-end digital character creation and animation workflows across film, TV, and games industries.

Haydn Secker – Gadzooks Studio
Haydn is a writer, director and animation producer with over 25 years experience working in film, television, advertising and computer games. Specialising in stop-frame animation he has worked on a wide variety of productions including such major broadcast series as Postman Pat, Rupert Bear and Raa the Noisy Lion. As co-founder of Gadzooks Studio he has independently produced several short films, commercials and promos for BFI, Sky, BBC and Channel 4.
In collaboration with MITIH’s Dreamlab, he is currently researching the rapidly developing field of real-time interactive performer driven digital character manipulation or “digital puppetry”.
About Gadzooks
With a background in traditional animation, Gadzooks brings a hands-on approach and a forward-thinking vision to every project—from script to screen and everything in between.
With over 25 years of experience working on feature films, television, commercials, computer games, and short films, its expertise spans the full breadth of the animation industry. The studio thrives on collaboration and is always eager to bring new ideas to life.

Joe Spademan – Doodledo
Joe is Head of Animation at Doodledo, and has been animating since he produced his first short at the age of 7 and never looked back. Joe now leads the multi-disciplined animation team at Doodledo through 2D, 3D, stop-motion and live-action projects for memorable and impactful campaigns.
As well as animating, Joe makes sure everyone in the animation team is set up to succeed, from pairing animators with projects that suit them to mentoring, leading team feedback sessions and ensuring that the team continue to learn and embed new knowledge in each project undertaken.
About Doodledo
Based in Manchester, Doodledo is a video production studio, an animation hub, and an ideas factory. From its Manchester studios, it uses video and animation to craft stories that help audiences understand products, services, or events. Whether live-action filming, animation, or CGI visual effects—if it moves, the studio can bring it to life.

Photo Gallery