Returning for the first time in two years, the Manchester Animation Festival will be showcasing some of the finest animation work in person, with sessions taking place across the city. Kicking off this November with over 100 events such as screenings, panels, workshops, masterclasses, Making Of and studio talks, there is plenty for animation enthusiasts to get involved in with this year’s festival.
Now into its eighth year, Manchester Animation Festival will run between November 13 and 18 and there’s quite the jam-packed programme over the six days at venues such as HOME, The University of Salford, Odeon Great Northern, Manchester Central Library and The International Anthony Burgess Foundation.
Fans will be invited to take an exclusive behind the scenes look at hit Netflix animation series, Dead End Paranormal Park with creator Hamish Steele and series producer Jen Coatsworth. Based on the Dead Endia graphic novels and set in a haunted amusement park, the comedy horror adventure series sees Barney (Zach Barack) and Norma (Kody Kavitha) take on eerie unknown forces with the help of talking dog Pugsley.
In a very special event celebrating 30 years of legendary studio Mackinnon & Saunders, Ian Mackinnon and Peter Saunders will give audiences an in depth look at some of their impressive array of works, including features Fantastic Mr. Fox, Corpse Bride and globally adored children’s series Postman Pat, Bob The Builder and Rastamouse.
There will also be a special festival preview screening of The Amazing Maurice, an animated family film from Sky based on the wildly popular Discworld novels. Featuring an all-star cast, the film tells the story of a streetwise ginger cat who comes up with a money-making scam by befriending a group of self-taught talking rats.
Showcasing the very best of the North-West, Making it in Manchester session will this year focus on gaming. The region boasts an impressive array of games companies using animation in their production and dealing with some of the biggest names in games.
With screenings of at least 121 different short films from over 37 different countries – more than ever shown before at the festival – and exclusive premieres including The Island, Claydreams and No Dogs or Italians Allowed, Manchester Animation Festival isn’t one to be missed. Manchester Animation Festival will run from November 13-18 with both in-person and online sessions and you can purchase tickets and passes here.