Step 01
Make your film
Under four minutes long in any animation style. Team or solo. No copyrighted music without permission!
The
UK
entries
are
closed!
Entries closed on 1 September 2026. Thank you to everyone who sent us a film!
Judging has now started - over 40 professional animators are watching the entries and the shortlist appears here first, then the winners are announced at Manchester Animation Festival on 8th November.
YAY UK is run by ACCESS:VFX, Blue Zoo and Manchester Animation Festival initiative and sponsored by HUE and Wacom Europe.
▸ Awards ceremony countdown
Sunday 8 November 2026
Manchester Animation Festival · 11:30 a.m.
YAY
Judging now
2026 season
Aged 11–22
100% free
YAY
Judging now
2026 season
Aged 11–22
100% free
YAY
Judging now
2026 season
Aged 11–22
100% free
YAY
Judging now
2026 season
Aged 11–22
100% free
3D Animation
Stop-Motion
2D Animation
3D Animation
Stop-Motion
2D Animation
3D Animation
Stop-Motion
2D Animation
3D Animation
Stop-Motion
2D Animation
How to enter
Four steps from idea to festival.
Step 02
Upload via our form
Video file + a few details. Takes about 5 minutes.
Step 03
Judged by animation experts
Over 40 professional animators review the films.
Step 04
Screening + prizes
Winning films shown at Manchester Animation Festival in November.
Big love to our
partners and supporters!
Manchester Animation Festival
ACCESS:VFX
Blue Zoo
Hue
Aardman
Wacom Europe
...and over 40 expert industry judges!
Hall of fame
Watch the
Full gallery
Watch the
winners
▶
2025 · 3D Animation, Age 15-18
Morgan Vincent, 18
Crediton
▶
2025 · 3D Animation, Age 11-14
Timothy, 14
York
▶
2025 · 2D Animation, Age 15-18
Billy, 17
WOLVERHAMPTON
▶
2025 · Stop-Motion, Age 11-14
Sophie, 12
Sheffield
▶
2025 · 3D Animation, Age 15-18
Ezra, 16
Harrow
▶
2025 · 3D Animation, Age 19-22
Nishaan Bahra, 20
London
▶
2025 · Stop-Motion, Age 15-18
Eliana, 17
Ipswich, Suffolk
▶
2025 · Stop-Motion, Age 19-22
Ben Mullan, 20
Bedford
▶
2025 · 2D Animation, Age 19-22
Vincent Tyson-Dieroff, 21
Bristol
Stay in the loop, zero spam.
We won't bombard you with emails, just one every few months to keep you in the loop with any competition announcements we think you'd benefit from knowing about.
Judging
has
begun!
Entries closed on 1 September 2026 and our judges are watching every film. Winners are announced at Manchester Animation Festival on 8 November — while you wait, see what won last year.
Watch the winners →