Submissions now open for animation creatives aged 11-22; deadline set for September 1, with judging taking place in October and winners introduced at November 8 ceremony at the Manchester Animation Festival.
The Young Animator of the Year UK (YAY) competition is back for 2026, inviting creatives aged 11-22 to showcase their skills in stop-motion, 2D or 3D animation, with winning films premiering this November at a special awards ceremony at the Manchester Animation Festival (MAF), the UK’s largest animation event.
Run by Blue Zoo Animation Studio and ACCESS:VFX, in partnership with the Manchester Animation Festival and with support from ed tech solutions provider HUE, YAY has become the country’s leading competition of its kind. Central to its mission is building a diverse, industry-ready talent pipeline by connecting young animators directly with leading studios, professionals and industry bodies. Designed to be accessible and inclusive, YAY actively removes barriers to entry and welcomes young people from all backgrounds and levels of experience, empowering them to create original work and take their first steps towards creative careers.
New for 2026, YAY introduces a dedicated Best Group Project category, created to open the competition further to young filmmakers already working collaboratively and to recognize the value of shared creativity.
The competition organization notes that at a time when generative AI is reshaping the creative landscape, “YAY is strengthening its commitment to championing the next generation of human storytellers. By providing a platform for emerging artists to showcase their talent, gain visibility and receive meaningful industry feedback, the initiative reinforces a clear message: creativity, craft and original ideas remain at the heart of the UK’s animation industry.”
Tom Box, Co-founder and Managing Director of Blue Zoo Animation Studios and one of the competition’s founders, says, “There’s no doubt that generative AI is changing the creative industries, and for some young people this could feel like yet another barrier to breaking in. But we should not let that discourage the next generation of artists. Animation and VFX will always need brilliant storytellers, character designers and world-builders, the people who bring imagination, emotion and originality to the screen. If you are passionate about animation, follow that passion, although the industry will continue to evolve there will always be space for talented young creators with something unique to share.”
YAY has helped young artists enter into careers at leading studios including Industrial Light & Magic, The Mill, Blue Zoo Animation Studio, MPC and DNEG. Early access to industry professionals, expert feedback and recognition has given previous winners a meaningful head start in their careers.
Young animators can submit their films via the YAY website. Entrants must be UK-based and aged 11-22, and films can be created individually or in teams, with all members aged 22 or under. Entries can be 2D, 3D or stop-motion, and will be judged by a panel of industry experts. Submissions will close on September 1 with judging taking place in October.
This year’s winners will also be invited on exclusive, behind-the-scenes tours of multi-award-winning studios Aardman in Bristol and Blue Zoo Animation Studio in London. Winners will get an opportunity to watch film and television animation production first-hand and engage directly with industry professionals. Winning films will be unveiled at the Manchester Animation Festival on Sunday, November 8th at an awards ceremony celebrating the year’s most outstanding talent. Winners and their families will take part in a special reception, offering an opportunity to connect directly with a distinguished panel of judges from leading studios and production companies.
Blue Zoo is one of the UK’s leading animation studios, multi-BAFTA-winning and B Corp certified. Known for its commitment to craft and character, the studio continues to produce world-class content that resonates with audiences globally.
ACCESS:VFX is a global, industry-led nonprofit dedicated to increasing inclusion and diversity within the VFX, animation, and games sectors. Since 2017, this cross-company collaboration has united world-leading studios to dismantle barriers to entry through mentorship, regional outreach, and educational programs.
Manchester Animation Festival (MAF) is the UK’s largest animation festival. Taking place across venues in Manchester from 8–12 November 2026, the festival brings together passionate local audiences and visitors from around the world to celebrate every corner of the animated artform. MAF works with leading organisations including Netflix, Disney, Apple, Aardman, Cartoon Saloon, Blue Zoo, Nickelodeon, the BBC and many more.
More information about YAY can be found here.
Source: Young Animator of the Year UK Competition
Dan Sarto is Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network.
