The YAY UK
winners are announced!

The 2026 winners were announced at Manchester Animation Festival, at the YAY Awards Ceremony, on Sunday 8 November. Congratulations to the all winners and all nominees!

A photo of the Young Animator of the Year 2026 winners


Watch the winning films


YAY UK is run by ACCESS:VFX, Blue Zoo and Manchester Animation Festival initiative and sponsored by HUE and Wacom Europe.

▸ 2027 competition opens in
Saturday 1 May 2027
YAY Winners announced 2026 season Aged 11–22 100% free YAY Winners announced 2026 season Aged 11–22 100% free YAY Winners announced 2026 season Aged 11–22 100% free YAY Winners announced 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 01
Make your film

Under four minutes long in any animation style. Team or solo. No copyrighted music without permission!

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
winners

Full gallery
Kat Mullan
▶
2026 · Stop-Motion, Age 19-22
Kat Mullan, 21
Bedford
Nelson
▶
2026 · 2D Animation, Age 11-14
Nelson, 14
Heywood
Nicholas Newbery
▶
2026 · 2D Animation, Age 15-18
Nicholas Newbery, 18
Edinburgh
Sophie
▶
2026 · Stop-Motion, Age 11-14
Sophie, 13
Sheffield
Alfie Hembrow-Forrester
▶
2026 · 3D Animation, Age 19-22
Alfie Hembrow-Forrester, 19
Shrewsbury
Kitty & Team Bowen
▶
2026 · Best Group Project
Kitty & Team Bowen, 22
London
Ptolemy
▶
2026 · Stop-Motion, Age 15-18
Ptolemy, 17
Exeter
Izzy Ben-Nathan
▶
2026 · 2D Animation, Age 19-22
Izzy Ben-Nathan, 20
London
Arjun Mathur
▶
2026 · 3D Animation, Age 15-18
Arjun Mathur, 18
Hatfield

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The winners
are in!

The 2026 winners were announced at Manchester Animation Festival on 8 November. Entries for 2027 open on 1 May 2027.

Watch the winners →