If the Young Animator of the Year Awards prove anything, it’s that there is no shortage of enthusiastic talent eager to enter the animation industry. As the world shifts it’s focus to automated A.I processes, animation finds itself one of many industries challenged by the prospect of A.I dominating roles which were once human led. Is the future of animation A.I or will industry support these bright young minds to maintain the space for originality and human made work. Join our panel of experts as we discuss the future of animation.

Speakers

Tom Box is co-founder and joint managing director of multiple Emmy and BAFTA winning Blue Zoo Animation Studio, Tom has been the driving force behind continuing to push the studio forwards, both technically and culturally. Tom is also very active with skills and future talent development, acting as Chair of the ScreenSkills Animation Skills Council, NextGen Skills Academy, Manchester Animation Festival and is a founding director of ACCESS:VFX.

Kaylie Joy Black has built a career within stop-motion animation’s art departments. Her roles have included set builder, set designer, prop maker, set dresser and scenic painter.

Michael Morgan was born and raised on Movies, Videogames and Comics of the 1980s. Always drawing and creating art as a child, over time Michael would find himself on a path in becoming an Animator in the world of film, VFX and Videogames. A Leader, a Mentor, an Artist, a traveller around the globe, living an Animated life!

William Grave is founder of the Human Made Mark, William Grave previously worked as a writer director. His films have earned BBC news coverage and won awards at international film festivals. Passionate about the human village that comes together to create and collaborate on a film, he invented the Human Made Mark as an antidote to the threat of generative AI for the millions of artists working across animation and live-acton film, TV and commercials. Backed by Academy Award winners, the Human Made Mark has certified films that have premiered at Cannes, Tribeca and the Toronto International Film festival. You can discover more about this certification initiative on thehumanmademark.com/animation and follow them on Instagram on @makeithumanmade

YAY: Won’t A.I Do All the Animating in Future? | Sunday 08 Nov 2026 – 13:45 | Anthony Burgess Foundation | Runtime: 75 mins (approx.) | Tickets