MAF 2025 PROGRAMME IS NOW LIVE!

MAF is BACK! We launched our 2025 programme at our venue partner HOME this Monday, with lots of laughs, cheers and vino. We’re really excited to reveal who will be coming to Manchester this November 9-13, and which delights will be witnessed on the big screen.

We’ve got something for everyone: for film fans, for industry insiders, for families and for people who just want to be surprised! Read on to see what’s happening.

GUESTS GALORE!

Join the finest minds in animation at MAF this November taking part in our panels, workshops, masterclasses behind the scenes events and much, much more!

If you want to hear what makes amazing artists tick then come and see Anna Ginsburg discuss her process and give the exclusive first look at her new film Hag. Join Will Anderson — one of the most playful creatives in animation — as he shares his process. Director Baku Kinoshita will also present his film, The Last Blossom.

We’ve got Disney joining us for a behind the scenes look at Zootropolis 2 with Head of Animation Chad Sellers and Renato dos Anjos taking us back to the critter-centric city. Netflix deliver the adventure of a nightime when Alex Woo, director of  In Your Dreams, comes to Manchester.

Cartoon Saloon co-founders Tomm Moore, Nora Twomey and Paul Young will be joining us to collect the MAF fellowship and taking a look back through their careers.

And don’t forget our panels! We have Women in Animation and BlackFrame (both with networking opportunities!) The Art of the Ad, Neurodiversity in Animation and so much more. Head to the website to meet the industry icons attending MAF 2025.

MEET THE GUESTS

Festival Speakers

FANTASTIC FEATURES!

We’re utterly delighted to be able to share our feature film lineup for MAF this year, packed with premieres and teeming with treats — all ready to witness on the big screen this November.

Films in Competition

Playing in Competition is the UK Premiere of Arco. Futures collide in this time-twisting thriller when an innocent and adventurous boy from the distant future crash-lands in the near future – not too far from us. Arco made its debut at Cannes, and was the 2025 winner of the Annecy Cristal for a Feature Film at the prestigious Annecy International Animation Film Festival.

We have the UK premiere of I Am Frankelda, Mexico’s first stop motion animated film.  As fiction and reality collide, it is up to the resourceful Frankelda — thrust into the unknown — to use her inventive mind to curtail the monstrous ambitions hiding in her own subconscious.  This maximalist masterpiece is not to be missed.

After presenting a work in progress in 2021, we are delighted to be screening Little Amelie or the Character of Rain, a film that reminds us to enjoy life in spite of the challenges it presents and to find the joy in being present. This film hypnotises its audience with its masterful command of imagery, a tender soundtrack and wonderful storytelling. Winner of the Audience Award at Annecy, it is simply gorgeous.

Joining the lineup is The Last Blossom, a pensive exploration of connection, missed opportunities and regret. An ex yakuza lays dying in prison. As death approaches, a Housenka flower guides him through the gut-wrenching memories of his past. Join us after the screening for an in depth Q&A with Baku Kinoshita, the director of this thoughtful masterpiece.

And completing our competition lineup is The Square. Love, loneliness and international espionage collide in this emotional thriller, telling the tale of two people searching for connection – in secret – in North Korea. Having screened at Tribeca, Annecy and SXSW, The Square was the winner of the prestigious Contrechamp Jury Award at Annecy International Animation Film Festival.

A World of Animation

Our competition lineup isn’t the only chance you get to witness some of the best animation from around the globe. We have previews of  In Your Dreams, which you can see at MAF ahead of its worldwide Netflix release on the 14 November.

Don’t miss Lesbian Space Princess! Introverted space princess Saira is devastated when she is unexpectedly dumped by her girlfriend Kiki for being too needy. With just 24 hours on the clock, Saira sets out on a quest through the galaxies to save her bounty-hunter ex from the clutches of the Straight White Maliens… and maybe win her back!?

And we’re delighted to be screening the restoration of Angel’s Egg, the Mamoru Oshii masterpiece made a decade before his 1995 film Ghost in the Shell. The original direct-to-video animation has been presented in stunning 4k at the Cannes film festival and is making its way to MAF this November. A must for the anime faithful.

Ideal for families, we’re excited to present Hola Frida. A hand-drawn tribute to the artist Frida Kahlo, this film allows audiences of all ages to be introduced to the early years of one of the twentieth century’s most beloved, creative and courageous artists. It was the 2025 Winner of the Audience Award for Best Animated Feature for Children at the prestigious Anima Brussels film festival.

Adult Swim will be presenting an English language feature version of their quirky stop motion series Women Wearing Shoulder Pads, to remind us that guinea pigs are family, not food. Set in 1980’s Equador, this telenovela-esque romp through business, girl bossery and unwilling family involvement is a hidden gem of the 2025 programme.

CHECK OUT THE FEATURES

Films

FAMILY FAVOURITES!

Family Day has always been the perfect way to kickstart the MAF experience, and this year it’s back and bigger than ever with thanks to our expanded Young Animator of the Year Awards.

We have films for all ages and tastes. The BBC Family Boxset returns  – perfect for first time cinema goers and completely free come and indulge in your CBeebies and cbbc favourites on the big screen.

Our Short Films for Children Competition is back, presenting an international selection of shorts aimed at young audiences. Shorts for Teens is a brand new selection that is perfect for burgeoning film fanatics who want to discover what’s happening beyond the mainstream. Enter a world of bold ideas, fresh perspectives, and unforgettable stories. Each film offers something different— provocative, funny, moving, or just plain cool.

We’re delighted to present Hola Frida. Frida Kahlo is presented as the strong protagonist and imaginative example she was born to be. This film is destined to be an inspiration for young creatives everywhere.

YOUNG ANIMATOR OF THE YEAR EXPANDED!

The Young Animator of the Year Awards are back with a brand new age group! Expanding opportunities to 18-22 year olds across 2D, stop motion and CGI categories, the festival has also expanded it’s offering in return: presenting a brand new family day panel and a masterclass to give young animators the inside track on their future animation careers.

Laura Tofarides presents a career talk with YAY presents Laura Tofarides: My Animation Journey. A stop-motion director, animator & puppet maker and professional animator for over ten years, Laura works on features, shorts, commercials, TV specials & TV series with directors such as Nick Park and Wes Anderson. Laura comes to MAF to deliver an inspirational talk to help young animators who are setting off on their own animation journey.

Our panel discussion YAY Presents Paths into Animation brings together some of the finest minds in animation to deliver a frank and open panel to discuss pathways into the animation business. Crammed full of experience, expect an honest overview of the industry to help young animators discover their own path.

So, if you want to know more about breaking into animation, Young Animator of the Year and the MAF Family Day have you covered.

FOR FAMILIES

For Families

INDUSTRY INSIGHTS!

MAF continues to deliver an essential platform for professionals who recognise animation as more than entertainment; it is a dynamic, versatile art form that drives global industries.

Animation Nation Forum

Returning to The Bridgewater Hall on Wednesday 12 November the ANF connects businesses and freelancers with the resources and insights needed to thrive in the ever-evolving animation landscape, offering access to key decision-makers and thought leaders. The 2025 forum will explore co-productions, features of the future, what the future normal looks like, on top of the State of the Animation Nation where industry leaders discuss the biggest issues facing industry and offer their insights into fixing them.

The ANF Connect returns also, designed to offer a unique opportunity to book 15-minute one-on-one meetings with the finest minds in animation, allowing you to pitch ideas, form partnerships, and take your business to the next level.

Curated to foster critical debate, in-depth discussion, and knowledge-sharing, this exclusive forum is a must-attend for anyone serious about advancing their career or staying ahead in the ever-evolving world of animation. Keep your eyes peeled for more details on panelists soon.

MAF Marketplace

Alongside the ANF, and free to attend is the MAF Marketplace, bringing together companies and animation studios to showcase their work and meet the festival delegates. Featuring a series of studios, recruiters, suppliers and trainers, so get ready to chat, meet, share and network.

The 12 November isn’t the only day where people can get industry insights our programme is packed with panels and events that welcome industry insiders and those starting out their careers.

Festival Panels and Talks

Animated Answers returns – our panels sessions where you can put your questions to our experts be it kick starting careers, or taking the leap from junior to senior. Our ‘How it Works’ panel will uncover the secrets of a successful YouTube strategy and in partnership with our Higher Education Partners University of Salford we will be exploring the power of curiosity and how it can be a superpower for ideation, design and execution. The Art of the Ad will unpack the nuance needed to transform commercial jobs into mini masterpieces.

We’re also getting technical exploring Unreal Engine with Epic Games in Animating in Unreal: 2D, 3D, and Everything In-between and exploring Keeping Things Creative in an AI World as including AI in digital animation workflows has changed from an avoidable option to an ever present integration. Our friends from MOHO will be exclusively introducing their latest artist-led innovations as they look at the new horizons for 2D animation.

The industry discussion continues with WIA UK: Where Do We Go From Here exploring progress made in terms of representation and the issues faced in this period of change as well as a networking event. BlackFrame will be showcasing black artists with a screening and networking opportunity too. Not enough networking? Well the legendary Northwestivus returns on Wednesday evening which is free for all.

So if it’s the ANF, The Festival or BOTH don’t miss this chance to position your business at the forefront of animation innovation and harness the full potential of animation in the modern media landscape!

INDUSTRY INFO

For Industry

TICKETS AND PASSES ON SALE NOW!

Whether you’re here to binge the best new animation, dive deep into industry insights, or make game-changing connections, we’ve got ticket and pass options to suit every type of delegate.

🎟 Individual Tickets – Pick and choose the screenings you don’t want to miss.

🍿 Film Bundle – Grab 5 film tickets for the price of 4! Perfect for film-lovers who want more for less.

🎫 Festival Pass – Reserve up to 3 tickets per day in advance, plus join free event queues to catch even more action.

🤝 ANF Pass – Unlock the Animation Nation Forum: attend all ANF sessions and book meetings with leading industry professionals via ANF Connect.

😎 ANF+ Pass – The ultimate hybrid! Get access to both ANF events and festival screenings and events, with meeting bookings through ANF Connect included.

🏆 YAY Bundle – Access to the Young Animator of the Year Awards, x2 Talks & 50% discount for any screenings. It’s the ideal choice for those attending for YAY on our family day.

🎨 Workshops – Hands-on, creative, and inspiring. Each workshop is individually ticketed—just book via the event page.

No matter how you join us by taking a ticket or picking a pass we’re really looking forward to welcoming you to MAF 2025.

TICKETS AND PASSES

https://www.manchesteranimationfestival.co.uk/tickets-passes/