This year’s event promises exclusive previews, behind-the-scenes insights, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion; runs November 9-13 at HOME and other venues across the city.
Manchester Animation Festival (MAF) has announced its 2025 program, which runs November 9-13 at HOME and other venues across the city. This year’s festival promises exclusive previews, behind-the-scenes insights, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
MAF will honor the Cartoon Saloon (Wolfwalkers, The Breadwinner) with its Fellowship award. A retrospective marking 50 years of Industrial Light & Magic will celebrate how the legendary studio has revolutionized cinematic animation.
Walt Disney Animation Studio’s Head of Animation, Chad Sellers and 2D Animation Lead, Renato dos Anjos, will offer an exclusive look into The Making of Zootropolis 2 (the film is known as Zootropolis and Zoomania in certain countries), while director Alex Woo lifts the curtain on his Netflix animated feature In Your Dreams. Audiences will also be treated to a behind-the-scenes journey of The Scarecrows’ Wedding, adapted from Julia Donaldson’s book by Magic Light Pictures, and a new project from BBC Studios Kids and Family titled Rafi the Wishing Wizard will be unveiled
MAF 2025’s international feature film competition will feature Japanese director Baku Kinoshita, who will attend a Q&A following an exclusive preview of The Last Blossom. MAF will also host the UK premiere of Arco, a sci-fi fantasy distinguished by its unique visual style, directed and written by Ugo Bienvenu and produced by Félix de Givry and Natalie Portman.
Joining the program is I Am Frankelda, a haunting stop-motion feature produced in Mexico. Directed by Arturo and Roy Ambriz, the feature will make its UK debut following acclaim for its gothic storytelling and handcrafted aesthetic. Completing the competition slate are two stand-out films: The Square, a politically charged romance thriller directed by Kim Bo-sol, and Little Amelie or the Character of Rain, an Annecy Cristal winner directed by Maïlys Vallade and Liane-Cho Han.
Other features previewing at the festival include Lesbian Space Princess, directed by Emma Hough Hobbs and Leela Varghese, and a 4K remaster of 1985’s underground classic Angel’s Egg, directed by Mamoru Oshii (Ghost in the Shell). Adult Swim will also return with New, Newer, Newest, a late-night showcase of exclusive content from their upcoming slate.
“As we stride into a new decade of MAF, we’re thrilled to bring another packed program of premieres, exclusives, special guests and more back to Manchester this November,” said Festival director Steve Henderson. “The passion of the animation community is what makes MAF so special, and their energy is what inspires us to aim higher every year. The whole team at MAF are really looking forward to celebrating with them when the festival returns from 9-13 November.”
The festival’s annual awards ceremony, presented by comedian and writer Alasdair Beckett-King, will take place on November 13. Winners will receive the Manchester Animation Festival trophy, handcrafted by renowned North-West based model makers Mackinnon & Saunders. The ceremony also includes the Industry Excellence Awards, honoring professionals in writing, storyboarding, character design, and character animation.
Beyond screenings and awards, MAF 2025 offers key industry engagement opportunities, including the return of the Animation Nation Forum with sector-focused panels and discussions, and the Bridgewater Hall marketplace.
This year marks the first program under MAF’s new three-year partnership with the University of Salford. The collaboration brings exclusive panel sessions, guest lectures, and student-led programming to the festival.
Manchester Animation Festival is presented with the support of Higher Education Partner University of Salford, festival partner HOME and festival patrons Adult Swim, BBC Children's & Education, BBC Studios Kids & Family, Blue Zoo Animation Studio, Epic Games, Industrial Light & Magic and Moho Animation Software.
Tickets are now on sale. The full program is on the MAF website.
Source: Manchester Animation Festival
Journalist, antique shop owner, aspiring gemologist—L'Wren brings a diverse perspective to animation, where every frame reflects her varied passions.
