As #MAFAdvent day 2 summons a little sparkle, we’re revisiting the enchanting world of Rafi the Wishing Wizard from BBC Studios. Our MAF audience was treated to an exclusive early peek at the South Manchester based series that is arriving in 2026 and yes, it was as magical as it sounds.

Today, for #MAFAdvent day 9, we’re revisiting the Animation Nation Forum’s forward-looking session on the Future Normal of animation. Our three wise experts explored how production pipelines, career paths and creative choices are rapidly evolving. The talk was both energising and reassuring

Today’s festive flick through memory lane for #MAFAdvent day 3 takes us to an unforgettable behind-the-scenes session for Zootropolis 2. We were thrilled to welcome Chad Sellers and Renato dos Anjos, who shared an inspiring look at crafting expressive characters and dynamic scenes.

For day 6 of #MAFAdvent, we’re drifting back into the adventure of a night time - In Your Dreams, showcased by creator Alex Woo. This debut animated feature (now streaming on Netflix!) swept us into a fantastical tale bursting with imagination, heart, zombie cereal and snarky giraffes.

It wouldn’t be #MAFAdvent day 10 without shining a neon light on MAFter Dark, the wildest night of the festival. Thanks to the brilliant support of Toon Boom, we filled a club with weird, wonderful, spooky, silly shorts and a crowd of animation lovers who laughed and gasped together.

We've all got one, but which ILM creation has cast the biggest spell on you? Marking #MAFAdvent day 8, we’re tipping our festive hats to Industrial Light & Magic, who celebrated 50 years of animation magic with us. Hayden Jones guided us through half a century of groundbreaking work

We’re opening our animation advent calendar with #MAFAdvent day 1, and what better way to start than by celebrating family? Whether you share your holidays with relatives, friends or your found family, our annual Family Day always reminds us how special these connections are.

What advice would you give to a young animator dreaming big? Celebrating #MAFAdvent day 14 means celebrating the FUTURE — the amazing talent showcased at the Young Animator of the Year Awards (@YoungAnimatorUK), supported by @Blue_Zoo and @hueanimation Every year we leave inspired

For #MAFAdvent day 13, we’re reflecting on the heartfelt screening of The Last Blossom, followed by an insightful Q&A with director Baku Kinoshita by Ryan Gaur. It was a beautifully emotional evening that stayed with us long after the credits rolled.

As we unwrap #MAFAdvent Day 12, we’re celebrating you — our incredible audience who bring the festival to life every year. One of our favourite moments was our Worlds of Animation screening, supported by MMU SODA, where we shared extraordinary creations from across the globe.

For #MAFAdvent day 11, we’re celebrating the legendary Joanna Quinn (@joannaquinn), who visited @mcrcentrallibrary to discuss her stunning book Beryl, created with partner Les Mills. The session overflowed with gorgeous artwork, stories and insights into one of animation’s most iconic characters.

As #MAFAdvent day 7 arrives, we’re celebrating BAFTA-winning filmmaker Will Anderson, who joined us for an in-depth exploration of his thoughtful, witty, character-driven work. His blend of existential humour and inventive design made for a session full of inspiration, weird bananas and weirder cats

As we continue our countdown with #MAFAdvent day 5, we’re spotlighting a brilliant session with @MohoAnimation’s own Víctor Paredes. He gave us a charming and energetic tour of how Moho turns stunning illustrations into lively animated pieces — plus teased some exciting innovations coming soon.

What love story melts your heart every time? Which sexy short sends you silly? Do you have a favourite animation all about affection? For #MAFAdvent day 4, we’re turning the page back to our session celebrating the book "Intimate Animation" with @Skwigly’s Ben Mitchell and Laura-Beth