Young Animator of the Year Awards Make a Grand Comeback with Entries Now Open

The highly anticipated Young Animator of the Year UK (YAY UK) has officially kicked off its new competition season, aiming to discover and nurture emerging young animation talents across the United Kingdom. To mark this exciting launch, the brand-new custom-designed 2026 official trophy has been unveiled.

Now is the perfect moment to inspire young animation enthusiasts to craft original creative works, gain professional industry exposure and win amazing rewards through this prestigious event.

Eligibility & Entry Rules

• Participants: Young people aged 11 to 22 residing in the UK
• Accepted Works: 2D animation, 3D animation and stop-motion animation films
• Entry Deadline: September 1, 2026
• New Category Launched: Group collaborative projects are officially eligible for submission in 2026

Event Supporters

The YAY UK competition is backed by Blue Zoo Animation Studio, Manchester Animation Festival and ACCESS: VFX. Meanwhile, the stop-motion animation division is proudly sponsored by HUE.

This outstanding youth animation competition offers young creators valuable opportunities to showcase their creativity, connect with industry professionals and step onto a broader professional stage.

Spread the word widely to share this wonderful opportunity with young animators nationwide. The future stars of British animation are set to shine at the Young Animator of the Year Awards.

For full details and entry submission, please visit the official website: https://younganimator.uk/