ANF: Animation Nation Forum Rocks Manchester
- Manchester Animation Festival (MAF): The one and only Oscar® and BAFTA®-qualifying animation festival in the UK is coming back with a boom.
- Animation Nation Forum (ANF): A one-day summit that shines the spotlight on the UK’s animation industry, bringing out the movers and shakers, and enough ‘toon talk to make your eyes rotate like your favourite Looney Tune character.
- Date and Venue: Wednesday, 12 November 2025, Bridgewater Hall in Manchester. Better mark your calendars; you wouldn’t want to miss hobnobbing with the best of Britain’s animation world.
- Setting the Agenda: The ANF is laying down the blueprint for the future of UK animation. Meaning more cool cats, freaky creatures, and mind-blowing graphics to feast your eyes on.
A Revamp in the Cartoon Camp: The Next Animator Generation arises in the UK
Britain gets its ‘Animation Activation’
Grab your popcorn, folks, animation aficionados and couch potatoes alike! The Manchester Animation Festival and the Animation Nation Forum have come together to bring us a blockbuster spectacle right in the heart of Manchester. The highlight – British animation is getting a major facelift – we’re talking high-tech, mind-bending graphics and storyline so enthralling it’d make Shakespeare wish he’d created an animated Hamlet. Set to happen on a crisp November day (the 12th to be precise), the experts are pulling out all the stops at the Bridgewater Hall to discuss the new wave of animation set to sweep the UK. So, buckle up, folks! The British are coming…with a new era of animation! Bet your Bugs Bunny didn’t see that one coming!
Gearing Up For High-Octane Animation in UK – Unveiling the Manchester Animation Festival. The UK’s exclusive Oscar and BAFTA-qualifying animation festival proudly announces the comeback of the Animation Nation Forum (ANF), a lively one-day summit dedicated to influencing the UK’s animation industry. Witness cutting-edge discussions led by industry veterans on Wednesday, 12th November 2025.
Start your day with a welcome breakfast by Liquid Violet, serving as a networking opportunity before the barrage of intriguing panels and discussions. With a focus on regional animation activity and its profound impact on local and global markets, the opening address is a must-watch!
Witness experts tackle hot industry topics throughout the day. Power-packed sessions will dive into co-producing for global audiences’ insights, future trends impacting production and sustainability, and the rise of independent animated features. It all culminates in a candid conversation about UK’s animation industry’s future.
Words from Festival Director, Steve Henderson
“We are excited to bring the animation industry together at The Bridgewater Hall for this year’s Animation Nation Forum. It promises to be a critical congregation for the animation sector. In the face of a globally evolving content landscape, ANF offers a platform to collaborate and envision the future. Experience the innovative minds steering these changes in our eye-opening panels, networking opportunities, and meetings. Animation isn’t just a storytelling medium; it drives economic and cultural growth, as this year’s ANF will showcase. Don’t miss it!.”
What More To Expect On The Eventful Day
Aside from the summit, the MAF will host a free-to-attend annual industry marketplace at the Bridgewater Hall. Attending companies include leading names like Animation Associates, Autodesk, BenQ, Blue Zoo, and many more. Engage in curated one-on-one sessions at ANF Connect for unmatched networking opportunities. The day wraps up with a relaxing drinks reception courtesy of Animation UK.
The MAF will feature inspiring presentations, talks, and showcases from industry stalwarts like Aardman, Adult Swim, Cartoon Saloon, and many more throughout the festival. The grand conclusion will be the Industry Excellence Awards, acknowledging outstanding scriptwriting, storyboarding, character design, and character animation.
Finally, get your passes for the live-action ANF and access all illuminating sessions and exciting events. For more details and booking, visit Manchester Animation Festival’s official website www.manchesteranimationfestival.co.uk.
Original article: https://www.skwigly.co.uk/animation-nation-forum-sets-the-agenda-for-the-next-chapter-in-uk-animation/