Young Animator of the Year Awards 2025

Sunday 09 Nov 2025 - 11:45
HOME - Cinema 1
Runtime: 60 mins (approx.)

Join us to celebrate the next generation of animation talent! The Manchester Animation Festival proudly presents the Young Animator of the Year Award 2025 Ceremony, where the YAY team will award talented emerging teenage animators who have won this year's competition.

Winners will be announced across a range of categories and their winning films will premiere on the big screen. This is your chance to see the future of animation unfold before your eyes!

Don't miss this inspiring showcase presented by Blue Zoo's Co-founder, Tom Box, and Marketing Manager, Grace Lane.

The Young Animator of the Year is supported by:

Guests

Grace Lane

Grace Lane is the Marketing Manager at Blue Zoo, a leading UK animation studio. She plays a key role in shaping the studio’s brand and outreach strategies. Grace works to advance the animation industry through her involvement with various charitable organisations. She actively supports initiatives like Young Animator of the Year and Access: VFX, helping to uplift emerging talent and promote diversity and inclusion within the industry.

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.