Manchester Animation Festival 2026

Category

ANIMATION & FILM FESTIVALS

Date

31/07/2026

City

Manchester, UK

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Website

http://www.manchesteranimationfestival.co.uk

Edition

Final submission deadline

2026-07-31

Submission/Registration Fee

Yes

Festival Description:
Manchester Animation Festival is the UK’s largest Animation Festival dedicated celebration of the animated art form. Hosted at HOME in Manchester, the festival brings one of the UK’s biggest animation hubs together and invites the international community to join us to delight in all things animated. Animation is everywhere, from the smallest smartphone screen to the largest cinematic projection. Manchester Animation Festival unites artists, practitioners, students, enthusiasts, and all those in between to savor the many and varied achievements of the animated form. Manchester Animation Festival is a member of the Alliance of British Animation Exhibitors, promoting UK talent through curated screenings at home and overseas to increase the visibility and recognition of UK animation talent.

2026 Call for Entries

The festival publishes the following call for animation film categories:

Feature Film: Films over 40 minutes long. For hybrid works including live action over 50% of the film needs to be animated.

For short competition films must be under 30 minutes in length. All short films must have been completed after Friday 18 July 2025. All animation techniques are eligible.

Short Films: Films not made by a student or person under the age of 16.
Student Films: Films created by undergraduate and post-graduate students.
Commissioned Films: These can be educational or scientific films, music videos or for advertising, commercial or promotional purposes. Commissioned films must have the permission of the rights owner before submission.
Immersive Films: Films that abandon traditional screening conditions and opt for an immersive format, this could be VR (interactive and non interactive), AR or 360° narrative films.