What do the content creators of today need to bear in mind when making the hit content of tomorrow? That was the focus of today's Animation Nation Forum panel chat on The Future Normal. Afterwards, we invited one of our expert panelists, Rob Doherty, to share the advice he'd give to new studios.

It's not all panels and networking - today's Animation Nation Forum is also home to our MAF Marketplace, allowing you to have a quick chat with some of the industry's biggest voices.

Who knows what could come from it? #MAF2025

It's Wednesday at #MAF2025 & we're at The Bridgewater Hall for our Animation Nation Forum - a day-long celebration of the triumphs, challenges and future of the UK animation sector. It's not all we're doing though. There's still lots on at HOME and Manchester Central Library...

Today at #MAF2025 we were treated to a look back at an amazing 50 yrs of Industrial Light & Magic ✨

From Star Wars to the Oscar winning animation Rango, it was packed with brilliant behind the scenes stuff - including this, the very first test the ILM team did of the T-Rex for Jurassic Park! 🦖

Ready for Day 3 of #MAF2025? Hell yeah we hear you cry!

Festival Director @stevehenderson.bsky.social is on hand with some of the goodies you can catch today...

What's on your festival hit list?

What a way to kick start the week!

Big thanks to everyone who attended Monday at #MAF2025. We crammed lots in, from Will Anderson's artist talk & Alex Woo talking #InYourDreams, to Adult Swim ending things in style!

Enjoyed today? You're in luck. There's 3 more MAF days left. See you tomorrow!

Did you know that #MAF2025 has taken over Manchester Central Library this week?

It’s true - not content with filling @HOME_mcr & @anthonyburgess with animation goodness, today’s attendees will also find @CartoonSaloon shorts on loop plus #VR headset fun at the library.

Come and say hi! 👋

Hey look - it's ace animator Will Anderson shortly after he'd taken Anthony Burgess Foundation crowds on a whistle-stop tour of his play-filled career so far.

Not only does #MAF2025 bring you access to top talent - but you can also network with them at HOME, if you spot them!

Perfect!

Imposter syndrome... it's something that impacts all of us, especially when we're starting out.

Thankfully, DNEG's Character Animator Amy Adcock has some expert tips that can make interviews, networking and making contacts as painless as possible!

Welcome to day two of #MAF2025. Here’s Festival Director Steve Henderson with an inside look at what we have planned for today!

Expect fun from artist Will Anderson, Aardman, Flycheese Studio, Netflix, Adult Swim & more! Need last minute tickets? Head here www.manchesteranimationfestival.co.uk

Are you a young animator starting out in the industry? Stop-motion director @lauratofarides.bsky.social shares her top 3 tips with you...

#MAF2025

So we've a packed Family Day for you today. Our Festival Director @stevehenderson.bsky.social is here with a handy Sunday rundown!

Are you joining us for all the fun?

The day has finally arrived! Are you ready for #MAF2025?!

We’ve got uk premieres, panels, previews, workshops, masterclasses and so much more. Hold onto your hats and hang on for a wild ride!

Day 1 of #MAF2025 is GO!
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Only one more sleep to go before #MAF2025 takes over HOME, International Anthony Burgess Foundation, Manchester Libraries & The Bridgewater Hall for a five-day celebration of the all-things-animated.

To say we've got a lot planned would be a huge understatement. Visitors can expect to find...

We've waited patiently - and now it's almost time for #MAF2025 to begin!

The fun starts this Sunday with our Family Day - but there's lots to see throughout our time at HOME, The Anthony Burgess Foundation and Manchester Central Library next week.

Including...

Hey look! It's Academy Award-nominated animator and author Joanna Quinn with a little message about her super-special #MAF2025 Book Club event next week. Speaking of which... have you bagged your seat for this one yet? It's going to be great! buff.ly/lePiqHc

The wonderful Cartoon Saloon are the recipients of this year's Fellowship Award - and for good reason! They've given us some stand-out animation greatness - from My Father's Dragon & Wolfwalkers, to The Breadwinner. Join us as we celebrate their storied legacy buff.ly/5kgLYmw