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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Fast-rising Manc rockers ROLLA announce biggest-ever headline show
Danny Jones
Manchester band ROLLA have announced their biggest-ever headline gig right here in their hometown and it’s set to be a barnstormer.
The local rock and roll outfit are on the up not only amongst the Manc music scene but Britain at large, notching huge nods from the likes of Rolling Stone as well lots of love from us here at Audio North, and now the in-your-face five-piece are set for a landmark show.
Having crossed a number of city centre venues already, ROLLA have now revealed they will be playing none other than New Century Hall for the first time in their career.
Still only a few short years into their journey to stardom (and yes, we do believe they’re going to be that big), this latest date is a huge milestone for the Mancs.
MANCHESTER… IT’S TIME, THIS IS THE BIG ONE.
We're thrilled to announce our biggest ever headline show at New Century Hall May 3rd, 2025. 💥
Pre-sale Wednesday 10am, General sale Friday 10am. 🫡
It was only last month that the ferocious indie rockers put their ever-growing fan base to good use by throwing a sold-out charity gig at Salford Lads’ and Girls’ Club in a successful campaign to save it from closure, and the scenes from the show were unbelievable.
Speaking on what was a momentous night for the band and Greater Manchester as a whole, ROLLA hope it will go down as something “current and future members of the club and our fans can always look back on it as a special moment in time.”
They also detailed how the atmosphere at the gig was so electric that they used a lot of the footage to create the music video for the new single, ‘It Ain’t Easy’, labelling it “the perfect nod to the massive achievement of helping towards keeping the clubs’ doors open.”
And they really did put their money where their mouth was, raising a whopping £8,000 through ticket and merch sales on the night – a huge 24-hour contribution towards the overall £250k target which was finally reached with just a few days to spare last week.
You can hear the track and see the fantastic visuals that go along with it down below:
As far as memorable Manchester gigs, this is just the start for ROLLA.
Going to discuss the landmark headline show, the band added: “This is more than just a gig—it’s a defining moment for the band and our fans – a coming together of everything we’ve built so far and we mean to make it special. It’s gonna go off.
“New Century Hall is a proper Manchester institution. It’s been a part of the city’s music scene for decades, and after its recent revival, it’s sounding and looking better than ever. We can’t wait to fill it out with our sound.”
If you’ve not come across their sound before, there are some very noticeable Oasis influences – not just because of some very familiar-looking haircuts and use of sunglasses in their photoshoots either – but, put simply, they deliver some of the punchiest rock riffs around right now.
Music outlet Gigwise has hailed them as “one of the most energetic and full displays of indie rock ‘n’ roll on offer today” and we tend to agree, having also named them on our Manc Bands of the Month just this past October.
With their four-track debut EP set to release on 7 March, two tracks from which we’ve already heard and immediately added to our playlists, they’ll be bringing their tunes and hopefully more new music to the much-loved city centre venue on 3 May 2025.
We have every faith that they will set out the 1,300-capacity New Century Hall thanks to their already die-hard cult following alone, so you best be quick if you want to be there.
You can grab tickets to Rolla’s biggest-ever Manchester gig, not to mention for less than £20 per person, right now via the DICE anti-touting app or directly HERE.
Lyme Park’s enchanting animal-themed Christmas event returns
Thomas Melia
Much-loved National Trust venue, Lyme Park, has welcomed some very special guests this winter time with the arrival of fascinating animal sculptures.
The ‘Animal Crackers’ exhibition is a returning favourite for the country park and sees the grand mansion filled with lots of wonderful guests.
Lyme Park has now reopened after a three week sleep and is ready to welcome guests back inside its incredible halls.
You’ll be sure to find comfort in these animals as you walk round the property as many of them are participating in some familiar Christmas activities.
There’s an appearance from a turkey at the table, who’s patiently waiting on their Christmas dinner and even a brown bear who you’ll find hibernating in one of the mansion’s many beds.
All of these creations have been made by Stockport-based artist, Sophie Tyrell, who loves taking inspiration from the carnival and masquerade scenes to make sculptures and art that pops.
When you’re making your way around the building and its countless rooms, you’ll soon notice a lot of these animal sculptures are multi-coloured and incredibly vibrant.
The fox who’s just one of many animals living in this carnival wonderland.The majestic deer draped in bright and colourful bunting at Lyme Park.Credit: Chris Doyle via Publicity Picture.
Although the main focus of the ‘Animal Crackers’ trail is the amazing large-scale animal figures on display in Lyme Park, a big helping hand has come in the form of nearby locals.
The National Trust staff, volunteers and community groups have been working together to deck the halls with handmade decorations made from recycled and donated materials.
It’s not just Lyme Park itself that’s undergone a makeover so has the menu, especially the much-loved afternoon teas which are receiving a ‘festive twist’.
As well as the art installation in the house itself, Crow Wood, next to the Timber yard, will have some glorious trees decorated by local primary schools and organisations from Disley and nearby areas.
‘Animal Crackers’ at Lyme Park is running until 24 December, standard admission applies while National Trust members are free.
Danny Jones -
10th November 2023 
