Manchester Animation Festival 2026 Brings Books to Life
The Manchester Animation Festival 2026 has kicked off in the UK, celebrating children's book adaptations, stop-motion films, and talented young artists.
Have you ever wondered how the colourful drawings in your favourite library book could jump off the printed page and start moving? On Sunday, 8 November 2026, the Manchester Animation Festival 2026 officially launched in the United Kingdom to celebrate the wonder of animated storytelling. Running until 12 November 2026, this exciting programme is recognized as the UK’s largest animation festival.
The lively gathering began with a dedicated Family Day at its main venue, HOME, along with events at Manchester Central Library, The Bridgewater Hall, and The Anthony Burgess Foundation. Young movie lovers and their families took part in creative workshops, interactive activities, and fun short film screenings.
What happened?
Popular children’s storybooks took centre stage right from the opening weekend. Audiences attended the UK premiere of Lucy Lost, an animated adaptation based on the famous novel by children’s author Michael Morpurgo. Visitors also enjoyed the UK premiere of Mog’s Bad Thing, based on the classic picture book by Judith Kerr, accompanied by a special panel showing how artists at Lupus Films brought Kerr’s hand-drawn cat to the screen.
Fans of model animation had something special to cheer about too. Renowned stop-motion studio LAIKA made its first-ever appearance at the festival, hosting a special screening and an exclusive behind-the-scenes session for its upcoming feature Wildwood, directed by Travis Knight. The festival also welcomed the Young Animator of the Year UK showcase, highlighting emerging young creators working in 2D, 3D, and stop-motion styles, alongside an inspiring artist session with Aardman director Gav Strange.
Film buffs were treated to a historic centenary celebration and screening of Lotte Reiniger’s 1926 silhouette movie, The Adventures of Prince Achmed. Audiences also saw sneak previews of major upcoming projects, including Brad Bird’s sci-fi film Ray Gunn, Irish studio Cartoon Saloon’s hand-drawn film Julián, and DreamWorks Animation’s Forgotten Island. In addition, the festival’s spotlight country was Mexico, welcoming Angélica Lares from El Taller del Chucho, the famous stop-motion workshop that crafted puppets for Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio.
Why does it matter to you?
Even though this festival takes place across the sea in Manchester, the stories on screen show how books from your own classroom shelf can become breathtaking movies. Artists use everything from pencil sketches and clay puppets to computer models to turn simple words into moving pictures.
The showcase of young animators shows that you do not need to wait until you are an adult to start creating. Whether you enjoy sketching Indian folk tales in your notebook or trying stop-motion with modeling clay on a phone, animation lets your imagination come alive.
Words to know
- Premiere: The very first public screening of a new film.
- Stop-motion: A way of making movies by photographing real puppets or objects one tiny frame at a time so they appear to move.
- Adaptation: A movie or show created by using the story and characters from a printed book.
- Centenary: A special celebration marking an exact hundredth anniversary.
Did you know?
The Manchester Animation Festival is the only animation event in the entire UK where winning films can qualify for consideration at both the Oscars and the BAFTAs!
Think about it
If you could pick any Indian storybook or folktale to turn into an animated movie, which one would you choose, and would you use drawings, computers, or clay puppets to tell it?
Quick quiz
Which author’s picture book was adapted into the animated film Mog’s Bad Thing?
- Judith Kerr
- Michael Morpurgo
- Brad Bird
See the answer
Judith Kerr
Sources
- visitmanchester.com
- homemcr.org
- manchestersfinest.com
- manchesteranimationfestival.co.uk
- skwigly.co.uk
- animationmagazine.net
This story was prepared by the Kids Gazette news desk with the help of AI research and writing tools, using the sources listed above.
