Manchester Animation Festival

About Animation Featured

Getting feature-length animated project from creative vision to marketplace reality

Deadline for application: Sun 16 Aug, 23:59

Overview | What will you get? | Who are we looking for? | Eligibility | Schedule

Overview

Animation Featured is a high-impact development accelerator programme supporting six feature-length animated projects from early-to-mid development through to a fully realised package, ready to enter the international market for financing.

Taking place from Mon 28 September 2026 to the end of March 2027, Animation Featured is open to emerging UK producers who are developing a feature-length animated project.

The programme will mix in person events (two residencies and two industry events – including one international trip) with periods of online activities and self led development, culminating in a final showcase.

Through a blend of mentoring, group work, one‐to‐one sessions, workshops, and presentations, participants gain the advanced skills needed to compete globally – skills they can apply not only to their current project, but also to future work, company growth, and long‐term career development.

Participants will advance their scripts, train in the art of pitching and get access to inspirational lectures by acclaimed professionals and detailed case studies of successful projects. Producers can gain resourceful knowledge on financial and creative aspects of animation production, deepen their knowledge in areas such as co-productions, animation production management, financing and budgeting, legal aspects, marketing, festival strategies and negotiation.

Mentors include Ruth Fielding, Producer and Joint Managing Director at Lupus Films (Kensuke’s Kingdom, Ethel & Ernest and The Night Before Christmas in Wonderland) and Richard Beek, Producer (Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom, Wallace & Gromit Vengeance Most Fowl and Early Man).

Participants are paid for their time on the programme, ensuring creators can focus wholly on developing their work and advancing their careers.

Delivered by Manchester Animation Festival and supported by the BFI National Lottery Creative Challenge Fund, awarding National Lottery Good Cause funding, with additional support from Screen Scotland and Northern Ireland Screen .

What will you get?

• Bespoke Mentorship: Mentorship from feature producers who have successfully navigated the development phase.
• Structured Development: Approximately 115 hours of sessions, workshops and mentoring over the 7 months with industry professionals from script consultants, visual development consultants, producers, finance and legal experts, pitching trainers, sales agents and distributors.
• Financial Mastery: Direct access to animation finance experts to build finance plans, learn about funding opportunities and navigate tax credits and co-productions.
• Industry Events: Attendance to Manchester Animation Festival including privileged access to events and speakers, attendance to an international  industry event
• Marketplace Access: Gain invaluable industry exposure, build your network and connect with key sales agents and distributors.
• EDI (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) and Sustainability Leadership: Specialist consultancy to help your project lead the way in inclusive filmmaking and sustainable practice.
• Travel and Accommodation: Costs covered for the two residencies as well as the two industry events
• Payment: Producers will receive a participation fee based on an hourly rate of £13.45 for all taught course hours. This includes residencies, industry events, mentor meetings, and online modules.
• Creative Team Inclusion: Option to bring an additional core member of your creative team to join you for key sessions and events. This also includes payment at an hourly rate, as well as travel and accommodation.

Who We Are Looking For

We are seeking producers with a feature-length animated project in early-to-mid development. We specifically encourage applications that:

1. Demonstrate high commercial or critical potential.
2. Commit to transparency and measurable EDI targets in both story and studio culture.
3. Are prepared to engage in a cohort over the duration event with a collaborative environment and spirit
4. Must be available to attend all residencies and industry events in person (see key dates below). Please note: Full availability for residencies is a strict requirement for application.
5. Are committed to actively developing their project through self-led work alongside the scheduled programme.

Eligibility

Applicant must be:

• a UK resident
• over 18
• Not in full time education
• an early career or emerging producer with a track record in shorts/TV but early career in feature animation (i.e. you must not have produced more than three feature films). The programme is open both to independent producers and those in a staff position.
• available to attend all residencies and industry events in person (see programme dates)

Your project must:

• Be a stand alone animated feature of 70 mins or more
• be your first, second or third feature length project.
• currently in early-to-mid development.
• be capable of being certified as British upon completion (via the Cultural Test, an official UK bilateral co-production treaty, or the European Convention on Co-production).
• be capable of British Film certification and a BBFC rating of no more than 18

Animation Featured programme dates

Also available in calendar form.

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