Manchester Animation Festival (MAF) has revealed its programme for 2024.
This November’s lineup includes a special in conversation with filmmaker Chris Sanders (Lilo and Stitch, How To Train Your Dragon), who will be discussing his latest film Wild Robot (pictured), which will be followed by a screening of the film. There will also be an appearance from Wallace & Gromit creators Nick Park and Merlin Crossingham. As well as a special screening of Richard Williams The Thief and the Cobbler, which will include a talk and book signing by Imogen Sutton—Williams’ wife and long-time producer. MAF will also offer industry-focused events at the annual Animation Nation Forum, a family focused day, and the return of the marketplace at the Bridgewater Hall.
Exclusive ‘making of’ sessions will divulge what it takes to make an animation on a global scale, including the making of That Christmas (Netflix) where designer Justin Hutchinson-Chatburn from Locksmith Animation will take an in depth look behind the scenes as he explains how the world of the festive feature was crafted. Based on the trilogy of children’s books by Richard Curtis, the film will receive a special screening at MAF before coming to Netflix on 4th December. There will also be a look at the creation of CBeebies’ first-ever 2D animated sitcom about dual-heritage British Asian brothers Nikhil & Jay, and how partnership and collaboration has ensured authentic representation at all levels of the production.
Additional panels and sessions across the week will also explore ‘Climate and Nature On Screen’ as BAFTA albert and inspiring animators delve into how climate and nature are portrayed on screen. They will also examine how storytellers can incorporate nature-positive narratives without compromising story integrity, make creative decisions that normalise sustainable behaviours, and authentically weave climate mentions into their work. Further panels include: Animated Answers: Doing IP Properly, How it works Short Film Funding, Short Film Directors Q&A and UK/UA Animation Lab Project Presentation.
MAF’s family day is back for 2024 on the 10th November and will include sessions such as the BBC Box Set and Short Films For Children events where audiences can bring the whole family to MAF’s screenings of animated short films made for children from across the world. The Young Animator of the Year UK Awards also returns this year for animators aged 11-18 from all across the UK.
Complimenting the international short film competition programme there are five feature films playing in competition: Memoir of a Snail, Flow, Black Butterflies, Sultana’s Dream and Sauvages.
Adult Swim comes to the Manchester Animation Festival for the first time with an exclusive screening of series from their upcoming content slate. The session includes Common Side Effects, wrestling infused action-comedy Invincible Fight Girl, the stop-motion Women Wearing Shoulder Pads coming out of Mexico and the return of Australia’s favourite party girls in YOLO: Rainbow Trinity, among others.
Epic Games will be providing a travel guide for animators who are about to embark on a journey into the world of Unreal Engine. Animation software company Moho will present New Ways to think about 2d animation. With examples from Wolfwalkers, Star Wars Visions – Screecher’s Reach, My father’s dragon and Scavengers Reign, Víctor Paredes will showcase how rigs and vector drawings can live together with traditional animation.
This year MAF are hosting their annual awards ceremony on the 14th November. MAF will be presenting awards for Short Film, Feature Film, British Film, Student Film, Commissioned Film, Immersive Awards, Short Film for Children and the Audience Award. This year Alasdair Beckett-King is hosting the event for an evening of comedy and celebration and will be providing winners with their coveted Manchester Animation Festival trophies crafted by master model makers Mackinnon and Saunders. The yearly Industry Excellence Awards, which recognise individuals working in industry in the fields of writing, storyboarding, character design and character animation, will also take place during the awards ceremony.
Festival Director Steve Henderson said: “Ten years gives us an amazing opportunity to reflect on the extraordinary talent we’ve showcased in Manchester. Over the past decade, we’ve evolved into the UK’s premier animation gathering, and that’s thanks to the brilliant creators, visionaries, and supporters who have shared their work, their craft, and their passion. Along with our supporters, the team have worked hard and this year’s programme is a testament to that legacy, and I’m looking forward to welcoming the global animation community to Manchester this November for our monumental tenth edition!”
Manchester Animation Festival is presented with the support of Higher Education Partner University of Salford, Festival Partner HOME, Hotel Partner Maldron Hotels and Festival Patrons Adult Swim, BBC Children’s & Education, BBC Studios, Blue Zoo, Epic Games, Maxon, Moho and Netflix.
Jon Creamer
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