The Manchester Animation Festival is back for 2023 and the six-day showcase of all things wonderful in the world of moving pictures is set to deliver one of its best offerings to date.
First founded back in 2015, this annual festival is the biggest of its kind anywhere in the UK and has gone on to become a favourite among lovers of TV, film, art and culture in general, showing off everything from talks with industry experts and panels with special guests to family events and workshops throughout the week.
However, they always have something special up their sleeve and this year’s Manchester Animation Fest (MAF) promises not only to deliver all the usual favourites but special movie previews, exclusive screenings and even an animation-themed pub quiz.
Based out of their central hub at Manchester’s beloved HOME theatre and arts centre, the festival is spread out across several other city centre venues and will also be hosting lots of online screenings and virtual events. That being said, it’s a big old affair this, so we thought we’d pick out a few must-see bits for you.
Taking place from Sunday, 12 November to Friday, 17 November, there really is something for everyone at MAF 2023 — but let’s start with something for all ages.
Family Day
To kick off things, the Manchester Animation Festival’s ‘Family Day’ on opening day (Sunday 12 November) is all about capturing that childhood sense of fascination with moving pictures that we all experienced and getting the little ones’ eyes open to the wonderful world of animation.
As well as free screenings of kids’ films old and new screening and LEGO/Claymation workshops where they can see how some of their favourite animated films and shows are made, there will also be a celebration of Magic Light, the studio behind family favourites The Gruffalo and Stick Man.
There’s even the 2023 Young Animator of the Year Awards, where you can watch some of the UK’s youngest up-and-coming talents showcase their exciting work.
Now, if you’re looking for more of a simple visual experience where you can just sit back and enjoy yourself, MAF is also boasting some seriously exclusive screenings of some of the most highly anticipated releases of the year.
In addition to a special preview of the long-awaited Chicken Run sequel, Dawn of the Nugget, is also the only non-London-based preview of the legendary Studio Ghibli’s new movie, TheBoy and the Heron, in the UK, as well as showing the adaptation of Michael Morpurgo’s beloved, Kensuke’s Kingdom.
Among countless other animations and shorts that very few people have seen, they’ll also be showing the brand-new Scott Pilgrim Takes Off anime series before it arrives on Netflix on 17 November — which also happens to be the final day of the festival. Yep, these lot have got some serious pull.
Credit: Supplied
Trans storytelling showcase
Next up, we’ve got a truly stirring and educational exploration of transgender identities and the LGBTQIA+ community through the medium of animation.
As a city with Pride at the very heart of what we’re all about — making people from all walks of life feel welcome and accepted — ‘Divert, Delight, Defy: Animating Trans Identities’ is an 18+ event that doesn’t just look to inform audiences but challenge them and touch on the tough subjects that are sadly all part and parcel of the trans experience.
You can grab your tickets to the screening at Home on Tuesday or the Oden on Friday HERE.
Character design and storyboarding workshops
Next up is a great one for students or anyone looking to learn more about how animation works or get into the industry.
With character design workshops and roundtables at the Leonardo Hotel Conference Suite and Anthony Burgess Centre on Tuesday and Wednesday, as well as masterclasses on storyboarding and bringing those characters to life.
It’s not always about seeing the shiny finished product: sometimes it’s even more fascinating to get a glimpse at the behind-the-scenes and you’ll have plenty of opportunities to do so this year.
Animation-themed pub quiz
On Wednesday, you’ve also got the Skwigly Quiz being held in HOME’s main Event Space. Hosted by its namesake online magazine authors and podcast hosts, Steve Henderson and Ben Mitchell, you’ll be pitting your wits and animation knowledge against fellow festivalgoers with a good old quiz.
Make sure your phones have plenty and you bring all of what you once thought was merely pointless trivia, as there are fabulous prizes to be won — provided you get the better of your fellow animation nerds, of course.
Of course, this is just a small taste of the countless things going on at MAF 2023, where there’ll also be a keynote address from Orion Ross, Vice President of International Animation at Disney, conversations with countless other industry heavyweights and so much more.
Better still, the annual celebration doesn’t just stop once the event is started as there’ll be a tonne of other events to be enjoyed online from 18-30 November as well.
You can see the full Manchester Animation Fest schedule in full and secure your place at the various ticketed events HERE.
Last night marked K-pop group ENHYPEN’s first-ever visit to Manchester, the UK and Europe as a whole, so it was no surprise the crowd was ready to get ‘Loose’ as they took to AO Arena.
The lights dimmed, the fans screamed, and it had finally dawned on Manchester that it was officially ‘En-O’Clock.‘
It’s a bouncy bassline, synth-stinted number also known as ‘Brought The Heat Back’ that kicks the show off, and on a day when our city was surprisingly warm, this three-minute performance was very fitting.
ENHYPEN performing ‘Loose’ for 21,000 fans at AO Arena in Manchester (Credit: BELIFT LAB)
‘Future Perfect (Pass the MIC)’ had the crowd quite literally jumping for joy, ‘Given-Taken’ saw a similar response, while a personal highlight was ‘Bite Me’.
With lyrics like “Come here and get some” and “Just come over and bite me”, this song follows a perfect pure-pop formula that works every time; it’s hard to ignore.
‘Your Eyes Only’, which makes reference to the previous hit “You can bite me / You can play me”. Did we like this song? “Ya, ya, ya, ya, ya” we did.
Disco belter ‘Sweet Venom’ had the crowd captivated for just under three minutes with its “Swe-hee-hee-t” earworm lyrics in every chorus.
K-pop boyband ENHYPEN played ‘Tamed-Dashed’ during their ‘Walk The Line’ tour at AO Arena in Manchester (Credit: BELIFT LAB)
An extended electronic synth introduction plays out as the staggered-vocal single, ‘XO (Only If You Say Yes)’ begins, and it’s easy to see why this is a fan favourite.
Whether it’s the fact that it has an easy-to-follow but incredibly addictive chorus or due to it featuring on the soundtrack for the Netflix rom-com and To All The Boys I Loved Before spin-off, XO, Kitty.
Following this was the 2010s-reminiscent ‘Bad Desire (With or Without You)’, which felt like a callback to ex-boyband star Justin Timberlake and his return with magnum opus ‘Mirrors’.
This song warranted such a roar of cheers and applause that the band decided to give it a second play later in the set, although this time they opted for the English version, which was equally appreciated.
All seven members of ENHYPEN interacting with fans during their Manchester show (Credit: BELIFT LAB)
During interactions with fans between songs, ENHYPEN discuss what they recognise Manchester for, stating, “This city is really famous for its football”.
Instead of declaring their support for the reds or blues, the band opted for a smart and conscious, “We’ll leave it there” – well played, boys.
‘Paranormal’ signalled that this night of incredible dance-packaged music was coming to an end, but ENHYPEN’s version of an encore is much different to any other musical act.
These seven singing sensations decided to play not just one or two songs before saying goodbye to the Manchester crowd, they opted for five plus – phenomenal.
ENHYPEN at AO Arena, Manchester – tickets, times, setlist and more for UK tour
Thomas Melia
It’s time to ‘Scream’ as K-pop boyband ENHYPEN are about to land in the UK as they embark on their European leg of the ‘Walk The Line’ tour.
Global superstars ENHYPEN are visiting Manchester for the first time ever, trading ‘Highway 1009’ for the Mancunian Way as they play out in the highly acclaimed 21,000 seater, AO Arena, this bank holiday.
ENHYPEN consists of seven members, including Sunghoon, Heeseung, Jungwon, Sunoo, Jake and Ni-ki – all of whom have stayed loyal to the group since they formed back in 2020.
This very ‘Walk The Line’ tour kicked off almost one year ago with two sold-out stadium shows in Korea before making its way across America, and now the boys are sinking their ‘Teeth’ into the UK and Europe.
Expect this Manchester live music venue to feel like a living runway as these K-pop idols are known for their stylish looks and designer brand partnerships, such as Italian fashion house Prada.
Anyone after some ‘Sweet Venom’, also known as precious tickets to ENHYPEN’s upcoming Manchester show, will be pleased to know that they aren’t in ‘Fatal Trouble’; there are still a few options left if you act fast enough.
You’ll have to act fast, as we’re sure you’re aware these K-pop nobles have given everyone a serious case of boyband ‘Fever’, and there is absolutely ‘No Doubt’ you’ll have a fabulous night when you grab your tickets HERE.
ENHYPEN setlist
Brought the Heat Back
Fever
ParadoXXX Invasion
Future Perfect (Pass the MIC)
Given-Taken
Lucifer
Teeth
Blessed-Cursed
Fatal Trouble
Bite Me
Your Eyes Only
Loose
Scream
Tamed-Dashed
Sweet Venom
Go Big or Go Home
Moonstruck
XO (Only If You Say Yes)
No Doubt
Bad Desire
Helium
Paranormal
Drunk-Dazed
Go Big or Go Home
We’d like to hear and, more importantly, see this one.
What are the stage times for ENHYPEN in Manchester?
AO Arena has a curfew of 11pm, meaning you can ‘Go Big or Go Home’ and still make sure you get your beauty sleep.
There is no confirmed support act as of yet, however, it looks like this will remain as they have fronted this tour independently across the globe.
Doors for this event are opening from 6pm, and this huge K-pop concert is expected to kick off at 7:30pm when this group reminds you that they ‘Brought the Heat Back’.
For those of you heading to AO Arena, luckily, it’s connected to Manchester Victoria Station, and it has an integrated Metrolink stop to make your life even easier.
Head along the pink, light blue or yellow lines directly to the Victoria stop, and you can get off the tram literally spitting distance from the arena. You can find the full map HERE.
Train
Considering this live entertainment venue is situated right in the middle of one of Manchester’s most frequented stations, concertgoers should find no problem getting to the arena, wherever they are.
Bus
A variety of buses cover AO Arena andVictoria Station on their route, such as the 2 bus, which stops just a one-minute walk away from the venue.
A full list of buses and their routes can be found HERE.
Getting there by car and parking
The Arena has its own official CitiPark, with 958 car parking spaces, including 40 Blue Badge parking bays, which can be booked in advance.
Alternatively, anyone attending a gig can park at their nearest train station and jump on a train service or the various Metrolink park and ride facilities.
Walk/cycle
Greater Manchester now also offers the option to hire bikes through the Beryl app, with riders able to locate, unlock, get to their destination and then safely lock up the bike all through an easy-to-use app.
Danny Jones -
10th November 2023 
