The Manchester Animation Festival has announced its 2016 programme of events.
Taking place in November at HOME, it will feature Aardman Animation co-founders, Peter Lord and David Sproxton, who will be presented with the festival fellowship award to celebrate the studio’s 40th anniversary.
Lupus Films will also be in attendance, to give a behind the scenes look at their adaptation of Raymond Briggs’s Ethel and Ernest.
There will also be screenings from French studio, Folimage (A Cat in Paris) with their latest project, Phantom Boy.
Blue Zoo’s immersive virtual reality short, Hoodoo will premiere at the festival.
“We’re delighted to be able host this year’s festival at HOME and present a reflection and celebration of what has proved to be a very strong year for the animated art form. We’re looking forward to November and welcoming delegates to our workshops, masterclasses, panels discussions, retrospectives and screenings, there is sure to be something for all animation fans here in Manchester,” said festival director, Steve Henderson.
In addition to the screenings, will be panel discussions and debates, including In The Frame: Women in Animation; In Your Time – which will look at seminal projects such as The Sandman with co-creator Ian McKinnon and Chuck Steel, with creator Mike Mort. The Aardman team will also discuss the early years of the studio.
The Ray and Diana Harryhausen Foundation will also be sharing some of their collection, including the rarely seen short, Ray Harryhausen and Me.
Competition screenings have been selected from 900 entries, representing 63 countries.
The festival is supported by the BFI, through National Lottery funding. It takes place from 15 – 17 November 2016.
