The competition — how it works

Enter YAY
UK 2026.

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.

Four ways to compete

Pick your style.

Each technique runs three age groups (11–14, 15–18, 19–22). Best Group Project is open to any team aged 11–22.

2D Animation

2D Animation

Hand-drawn, vector, cut-out, rotoscope — anything frame-by-frame.

Age 11–14 Age 15–18 Age 19–22
01/04
3D Animation

3D Animation

CGI, 3D character work, motion graphics — Blender, Maya, Houdini, you name it.

Age 11–14 Age 15–18 Age 19–22
02/04
Stop-Motion

Stop-Motion

Claymation, paper, puppets, lego, sand — anything you move frame-by-frame in real life.

Age 11–14 Age 15–18 Age 19–22
Hue Sponsored by Hue
03/04
Best Group Project

Best Group Project

For teams. Any technique, any combination. Made by a group? Enter here.

Open to all aged 11–22
04/04

THE THEME

This year's theme for the animation is the word OPPOSITES.

This word can be used to inspire an idea, but they are not required to use this theme; the animations will not be judged on how well they relate to this theme.

Competition Rules

Please submit your entry by midnight Monday 1st September 2026.

The shortlisted films and prizes will be announced on this website on Wednesday 7th October 2025.

  • Entrants must be aged 11-22 years on the closing submission date of 1st September 2026.
  • Video entry must be no more than three minutes long, excluding credits.
  • Video entry should be HD resolution supplied as an MP4 video file (at least 1280x720 pixels)
  • Only one entry per person is allowed for solo categories, plus one group project.
  • For solo categories, the entrant must have directed and been sole animator on the film.
  • If using music, entrants must use royalty-free tracks so it can be screened online/at the festival; entries using copyrighted music without permission will be disqualified.
  • Entrants must be living in the United Kingdom.
  • Video entry must have been made after last year's competition deadline of 5th September 2025.
  • Video entry must be submitted by midnight Monday 1st September 2026.
  • Video entry must be created using Stop-Motion, 2D or 3D animation techniques.
  • Your entry must be suitable for a U or PG-rated audience. This means it should not contain swearing, strong violence, sexual content, or anything else that may be considered inappropriate for a family audience. We reserve the right to reject any entry that we believe does not meet these standards.
  • Animation generated using generative AI video tools such as Runway or Kling are not permitted.
  • If the entrant is under 16, a parent/guardian must approve the submission and agree to the competition terms.
  • All visual elements (e.g. characters, backgrounds, logos) must be original or free to use; entries using copyrighted designs, images or assets without permission will be disqualified.
  • By submitting, entrants agree that their film may be screened at the Manchester Animation Festival and featured on YAY UK’s platforms.

The entry will be judged by professional animators using the scoring criteria:

  • Quality of the animation skills
  • Clarity of the storytelling
  • Quality of the design
  • Quality of the craft
  • Quality of the overall film

Winners will be announced at Manchester Animation Festival on Sunday 8th November 2026.

Very best of luck!

Ready? Go!

Free to enter, open to anyone 11–22 living or studying in the UK. Five minutes to fill in, lifetime to remember.

Start my entry →