Manchester Animation Festival 2026

Manchester Animation Festival (MAF), the UK's only Oscar® and BAFTA®-qualifying animation festival, returns from 8-12 November with an exciting programme of premieres, previews, screenings and special events celebrating the very best in animation from around the world.

This year's highlights include the UK premiere of Lucy Lost, based on the beloved novel by Michael Morpurgo, and a special screening of LAIKA's highly anticipated new feature Wildwood, alongside an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the studio's world-renowned stop-motion craft.

Audiences can also enjoy a passholder-exclusive preview of Brad Bird's new sci-fi adventure Ray Gunn ahead of its Netflix release.

The festival will also welcome Lupus Films for the UK premiere of Mog's Bad Thing, a brand-new adaptation of Judith Kerr's much-loved classic, while iconic family favourite The Cat in the Hat joins the programme as part of a celebration of some of animation's most enduring stories and characters.