Animation Shines in Manchester
The 2025 Manchester Animation Festival brought some of the most exciting and innovative animated films from around the world to the UK from November 9 to 13. Hosted at HOME, the festival combined premieres, UK debuts, masterclasses, and immersive experiences, offering something for fans and industry professionals alike.
Festival-goers had the chance to explore a broad slate of animated features, shorts, and immersive projects. Highlights included panels on industry trends, new technology in animation, and behind-the-scenes insights from acclaimed directors and studios. The event reinforced Manchester’s role as a hub for animation innovation while celebrating global storytelling.
Winners and Celebrated Films
The festival’s awards recognized excellence across feature films, shorts, and student projects. The Feature Film Award went to Little Amélie or the Character of Rain by Maïlys Vallade and Liane‑Cho Han, praised for its originality, emotional resonance, and exquisite art direction.
Little Amélie or the Character of Rain
In the Short Film category, Sulaimani by Vinnie Ann Bose took top honors, while Two Black Boys in Paradise by Baz Sells earned the British Short Film award. Student animator Lucas Ansel won for The Twelve Inch Pianist, and Kris Hoffman’s Out of Nowhere captured the Immersive Film prize. The Industry Excellence Awards highlighted achievements in writing, storyboarding, character design, and animation craftsmanship, with Irish studio Cartoon Saloon honored for over 25 years of influential work.
Two Black Boys in Paradise
Premieres and Must-Watch Titles
The festival featured several UK premieres and new titles, giving audiences a glimpse at some of the most anticipated animated projects of the year:
The Square
The Last Blossom
Arco
I am Frankelda
Lesbian Space Princess
Angel's Egg
Spotlight on Little Amélie or the Character of Rain
Little Amélie or the Character of Rain was one of the standout films at MAF 2025. The story follows Amélie, a young child born to Belgian parents living in Japan, as she awakens from a dormant state and begins to navigate the world around her. The film explores themes of identity, belonging, and personal growth, while maintaining a tender and reflective tone.
The animation is visually striking, with a soft, impressionistic style that evolves alongside Amélie’s emotional journey. Warm, saturated tones give way to muted, introspective shades, emphasizing the character’s inner awakening. The directors worked closely with the original book’s themes, blending emotional depth with poetic imagery.
Critics have praised the film for its emotional intelligence and unique visual approach. It holds a 98% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and has been called “a generous, warm landscape” by Roger Ebert’s review. Fans on Reddit and social media are also celebrating its release, describing it as one of the most beautifully realized animated films of the year.
GKIDS handled North American distribution, and the film premiered at Cannes before hitting theaters in the United States on November 7, 2025. It also won the Audience Award at the 2025 Annecy International Animation Festival.
Takeaways from Manchester Animation Festival 2025
This year’s festival reinforced how animation is growing as both an art form and a global industry. From intimate, personal stories like Little Amélie to immersive projects and ambitious international premieres, MAF 2025 highlighted the diversity and creativity of animation today. For fans and creators alike, the festival was a reminder of the power of animated storytelling to engage, inspire, and connect audiences worldwide.
