MAF 2026 Calls for Submissions Across Three Streams

MAF 2026 Calls for Submissions Across Three Streams – Film Competitions & Industry Awards Close This Friday; Animation Featured Long-Film Programme Open Until 16 August

Published: 28 July 2026 Organiser: Manchester Animation Festival (MAF) Supported by BFI National Lottery Creative Challenge Fund, Screen Scotland, Northern Ireland Screen

The UK’s flagship animation event, Manchester Animation Festival (MAF) 2026, will run from 8 to 12 November 2026. Three distinct submission tracks are now live, targeting animated filmmakers, behind-the-scenes creative specialists and UK feature animation producers respectively. This release outlines target participants, key deadlines and official submission portals for all open calls.AF Audience Screening Hall

1. Film Competition Submission (Short / Student / Commissioned / Immersive)

Target Audiences

Global animation creators, university animation students, commercial animation studios, VR/AR immersive content producers worldwide, split into four entry categories:

• Professional independent animators & commercial studio teams (Short Film)
• Undergraduate and postgraduate animation students (Student Film)
• Teams producing commissioned animation: music videos, educational, advertising & promotional clips (Commissioned Film)
• Creators of VR, AR, 360-degree immersive animated works (Immersive Film) Feature-length animation submissions are also accepted; feature producers may contact the festival team directly for submission guidance. All entries must be completed after 18 July 2025.

Critical Timeline

• Submission Deadline: Friday 31 July 2026
• Festival Dates: 8 – 12 November 2026
• Award Benefits: Winners receive bespoke trophies crafted by Manchester legendary model studio Mackinnon and Saunders. MAF holds Academy Award and BAFTA qualifying status; selected films automatically gain eligibility for both prestigious industry honours.

Submission Portal

All film entries via FilmFreeway

2. Industry Excellence Award Nominations

Target Audiences

Global behind-the-scenes animation professionals. Entrants may self-nominate or nominate colleagues with full consent, all international nominations accepted. Eligible disciplines:

1. Screenwriting (Writing pairs may submit a joint nomination)
2. Storyboarding
3. Character Design
4. Character Animation Nominated work must be third-party/broadcaster commissioned commercial projects. Student coursework and fully independent self-funded projects are ineligible. Nominees and project copyright holders must both grant written permission for entry.

Critical Timeline

• Nomination Deadline: Friday 31 July 2026
• Supporting Materials Required: Storyboards, animatics, scripts, design portfolios or character animation showreels, reviewed solely by jury and selection panel.

Submission Portal

Official nomination page: https://www.manchesteranimationfestival.co.uk/submissions/submit-industry-excellence-award/ Nomination is completely free of charge

3. Animation Featured 2026 – Feature Development Programme

Target Audiences

UK-based animation producers with proven industry track records, currently developing animated feature films at early-to-mid development stage, seeking structured incubation, financing matchmaking and cross-border co-production guidance.

Programme Schedule & Format

• Full Programme Period: 28 September 2026 – 25 March 2027
• Mixed-format activities: 2 residential creative retreats, 2 major industry summits (including one overseas international trip), self-paced online learning, one-on-one mentor coaching, group workshops, plus a final global marketplace showcase for pitching projects.
• Mentor Line-up: Leading producers including Ruth Fielding (Joint MD, Lupus Films) and Richard Beek (Producer, Shaun the Sheep franchise). Participating producers receive paid stipends to focus fully on feature development.
• Training Modules: Script refinement, pitching mastery, co-production frameworks, financing & budgeting, legal affairs, global distribution and festival strategy.

Critical Timeline

• Application Deadline: Sunday 16 August 2026, 23:59 GMT

Submission Portal

Dedicated programme landing page: www.manchesteranimationfestival.co.uk/animation-featured/

Festival Overview

Manchester Animation Festival is the UK’s largest all-encompassing animation industry gathering, uniting global studios, distributors, platform buyers and academic creators through masterclasses, industry panels, IP negotiation sessions and youth animation initiatives. The three submission tracks cover finished film screening, recognition for unsung creative talent and early-stage incubation for feature projects, forming a full support ecosystem for animation practitioners of all career stages.

Official Website

Main Site: https://www.manchesteranimationfestival.co.uk/