Manchester Animation Festival has been named as an Academy Award-qualifying festival for short films.
The festival, which was first established in 2015, has become the only dedicated animation festival in the UK to have the honour in helping spearhead short films for an Oscar. It means recipients of the festival’s Short Film Award will now be eligible for consideration in the Academy Awards’ Short Films category.
Since its inception, the festival has become the UK’s largest animation event and has featured the likes of Aardman Animations, Netflix, and Walt Disney Animation Studios.
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Festival Director Steve Henderson said: “It’s an honour to represent both Manchester and the UK animation community by standing with some of the most prestigious film events in the world as an Academy-qualifying festival.”
Manchester Animation Festival will return to HOME later this year from November 12-17 and will see winners receive an iconic trophy, designed and manufactured by Mackinnon & Saunders who recently produced the puppets for Guillermo Del Toro’s Pinocchio.
Last year's winners include Best Feature Film winner Nayola, Short Film winner Pachyderm and Ice Merchants, which was handed the Audience Award.
Henderson added: “We look forward to welcoming audiences and showcasing some of the best animated short films from around the world in Manchester this November.”
