MAF Outlines 2024 Event

The Manchester Animation Festival (MAF) has unveiled the program for its tenth edition, set to take place from November 10 to 14 this year.

The festival’s lineup includes a special conversation with filmmaker Chris Sanders (Lilo and Stitch, How to Train Your Dragon) about his latest film, Wild Robot, followed by a screening of the feature. There will also be an appearance from Wallace & Gromit creators Nick Park and Merlin Crossingham and a screening of Richard Williams’ animated title The Thief and the Cobbler.

Exclusive ‘making of’ sessions will divulge what it takes to make an animation on a global scale, including the making of That Christmas (Netflix), whereby designer Justin Hutchinson-Chatburn from Locksmith Animation will take an in-depth look behind the scenes. There will also be a look at the creation of CBeebies’ animated sitcom 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 how climate and nature are portrayed on screen and how storytellers can incorporate nature-positive narratives without compromising story integrity, make creative decisions that normalize sustainable behaviors, 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 the U.K./UA Animation Lab Project Presentation.

Complimenting the international short film competition program are five feature films: Memoir of a Snail, Flow, Black Butterflies, Sultana’s Dream and Sauvages. Adult Swim will also join the MAF for the first time with an exclusive screening of series from their upcoming content slate.

MAF 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.

Steve Henderson, festival director, 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 U.K.’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 program is a testament to that legacy. I’m looking forward to welcoming the global animation community to Manchester this November for our monumental tenth edition!”