Submissions open May 12 for animation creatives aged 11-22; deadline set for September 1, with nominations announced on October 1.
Submissions for the Young Animator of the Year UK (YAY UK) 2025 competition will open on May 12 for animation creatives aged 11-22. The submission deadline is September 1, with nominations announced on October 1.
YAY UK offers a platform for young animators to showcase their talent and gain exposure to leading professionals in the UK animation industry. The competition welcomes short animated films in 2D, 3D, and stop-motion.
“We are incredibly excited to announce that due to popular demand, the competition has expanded to include a new 19-22 age category,” said Tom Box, co-creator of YAY and co-founder of Blue Zoo Animation Studio. “This significant development allows us to support young adults who are pursuing animation studies or are in the early stages of their careers. We believe this will provide a crucial steppingstone for this demographic, alongside continuing to champion the fantastic talent within the younger age groups.”
For this year’s edition, YAY UK partners with Manchester Animation Festival and HUE as sponsors and supporters. Winners in all three categories (11-14, 15-18, and 19-22) will be announced and premiered at the festival.
“At HUE, we’re passionate about sparking creativity in young minds through HUE Animation Studio and HUE Clay,” Ruth Barrett, head of animation at HUE. “That’s why we’re so excited to support the YAY Awards, a fantastic celebration of the rising stars of animation and the power of imaginative storytelling.”
YAY UK is an initiative of ACCESS:VFX, an organization dedicated to building a more inclusive and representative UK animation industry by nurturing talent at the grassroots level.
Source: Blue Zoo Animation Studio
Journalist, antique shop owner, aspiring gemologist—L'Wren brings a diverse perspective to animation, where every frame reflects her varied passions.
