Part of the 2025 Manchester Animation Festival Ever wonder how a would-be superhero artist, Muppeteer, and rock musician ends up as an Animation Supervisor at one of the biggest studios in the world? In this entertaining and candid talk, Ken Fountain takes you on his unpredictable journey through art, music, theatre and tech, all of […]
Join the Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People for an evening of socialising, food, and open mic in Manchester city centre to celebrate the International Day of Disabled People. Easy Read information to follow. Join us for an evening of socialising, food, drink and open mic at the International Anthony Burgess Foundation (IABF) in Manchester […]
Why do some automation projects succeed, while others fail? More broadly, how do organisations shape new technology – for good or ill? Why are some automation schemes supported and some resisted, subverted and discarded? Here we document one historical example. Expect many photos of solid engineering, beehive hairdos and a walk-on part for Steven Spielberg’s […]
Local journalism used to be a thriving and highly profitable industry – so much so that the Manchester Evening News used to subsidise the losses on its stablemate, the Manchester Guardian. But the 21st century has been devastating for local newspapers in the UK as their main revenue model has disappeared and thousands of journalists […]
The project to learn about the history and rebuilding of the locomotive that started operation on the Stockton & Darlington Railway in 1825 was undertaken on behalf of the National Railway Museum. A close examination of each component of the locomotive and tender was accompanied by a lengthy trawl through contemporary papers relating to the […]
Part of the 2025 Manchester Animation Festival We reflect on the career journeys of three directors and creatives, and how they’ve navigated the animation industry as women. Despite the progress our industry has made in terms of representation, the Names Will Be Made discourse has shown us that there’s more work to be done to […]
Part of the 2025 Manchester Animation Festival The idea of including AI in digital animation workflows has shifted from an avoidable option to an ever-present integration. Rapid change raises pressing issues, such as how to prioritise and safeguard artists. Which structures can guarantee moral behaviour? And how can individuals and studios improve their skills without […]
Part of the 2025 Manchester Animation Festival As audiences are bypassing traditional broadcasters and shunning cinema releases, creators are finding new ways to connect directly with viewers online. From established institutions sharing work digitally, to independent creators building global audiences on YouTube, the landscape of animation distribution is rapidly shifting. Join us as we bring […]
Part of the 2025 Manchester Animation Festival Moving from junior to senior roles can feel like a big leap, especially when you don’t know where to go next. This panel brings together industry professionals and recruiters who know what to look for when studios are promoting talent. This session will explore ways to build skills […]
Part of the 2025 Manchester Animation Festival Join Aardman Animations and Flycheese Studio for an inspiring conversation on the value of neurodiverse minds in animation. We’ll explore the creativity and fresh perspectives neurodiverse talent brings to the industry, while also addressing the biases and barriers often faced. Discover how studios can build more inclusive environments, […]