Manchester Animation Festival reveal 2016 programme
Manchester Animation Festival returns with a celebration of Aardman Animation and a screening of Cannes hit The Red Turtle
Animation fans rejoice, Manchester Animation Festival is returning for the second year with a wide programme of events and films that build on the success of last year’s inaugural edition.
As revealed earlier in the year, guests of honour will be Peter Lord and David Sproxton, the co-founders of great British animation house Aardman, who’re heading to the festival to celebrate the studio’s 40th year. They’ll be joined by French studio Folimage, who’ll present their latest project Phantom Boy, and ground-breaking UK director and producer Chris Shepherd, who’s in Manchester for a masterclass and retrospective of his work.
One of the most eye-catching titles in the programme is Dutch animator Michael Dudok de Wit's The Red Turtle, Studio Ghibli's first-ever international co-production, which earned rave reviews when it screened in Cannes earlier in the year. We also love the sound of Ethel and Ernest, Lupus Films’ adaptation of Raymond Briggs' touching graphic novel on his parents' life together. There’s also a 35th anniversary screening of the Ray Harryhausen swashbuckler Clash of the Titans, screening from 35mm. Unmissable.
Speaking of the great Harryhausen, the Ray & Diana Harryhausen Foundation share some of the treasures of their vast collection with a screening of the rarely-seen short film Ray Harryhausen and Me. Hungarian animator György Kovásznai is also celebrated with doc Kovásznai: A Cold War Artist.
In terms of panel discussions, In the Frame: Women in Animation promises a lively debate focusing on the representation of women in animated films, while the In Your Own Time series will look into animation projects such as The Sandman with co-creator Ian Mackinnon, the explosive Chuck Steel with creator Mike Mort and the early years of Aardman presented by the company’s founders.
The heart of the festival, however, is the competition screenings, which will be championing local and international animators in four categories: Commissioned Films, Short Films, Short Shorts and Student Films.
Manchester Animation Festival takes place at HOME, Manchester, 15-17 Nov. For more details and tickets, go to manchesteranimationfestival.co.uk