Manchester Animation Festival (MAF), the UK’s largest, and Oscar-qualifying, celebration of the art and craft of animation, has announced a three-year higher education partnership with the University of Salford.
The dynamic collaboration will run through 2027 and will seek to stimulate innovation, improve student experience, and further strengthen industry relationships.
The collaboration will open up possibilities for staff and students alike. The University of Salford will have unique programming contributions such as exclusive panel sessions positioned within the festival under the deal, while academic staff will have new avenues to engage with cutting-edge industry practice and trends through active engagement in MAF’s world renowned programme.
The MAF team will give back directly to the student experience through guest lectures at the University of Salford and learning about festival curation, production, and the broader animation world.
“We are delighted to be collaborating with the University of Salford,” said Steve Henderson, Manchester Animation Festival’s festival director. “This collaboration is a fantastic opportunity to bring together the next generation of animation talent and industry leaders and future co-creators, and expose the world to what Salford can do. It’s about getting the global animation industry to Greater Manchester, but perhaps equally, showcasing the brilliant talent that exists here globally.”
Sam Ingleson, associate dean, knowledge exchange at the School of Arts, Media & Creative Technology, University of Salford, added: “This partnership reinforces our commitment to equipping students with real-world experience and access to the heart of the UK’s animation sector. We’re excited to collaborate with MAF to inspire and empower our creative community.”
MAF is the only Oscar-qualifying animation festival in the UK. Now also a BAFTA-qualifying festival, it brings together the animation industry’s top talent, leading professionals, and a wide-ranging programme with fans of animation in mind. The festival will once again showcase a selection of events ranging from screenings, panels, workshops, masterclasses, ‘making of’ sessions and studio talks, hosted across the city from HOME cinema to the Anthony Burgess Centre, YES, Gasworks and Bridgewater Hall.
Manchester Animation Festival returns this year from the 9-13 November, 2025.
