Please submit your entry by midnight Monday 1st September 2025.

The shortlisted films and prizes will be announced on this website on Wednesday 1st October 2025.

• Entrants must be aged 11-22 years on the closing submission date of 1st September 2025.
• 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.
• Video entry must have been fully made by the entrant; group projects are not eligible.
• 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 15th September 2024.
• Video entry must be submitted by midnight Monday 1st September 2025.
• Video entry must be created using Stop-Motion, 2D or 3D animation techniques.
• Your entry should be suitable for a U or PG audience; so no swearing, strong violence, or inappropriate content
• 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 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 overall film

Winners will be announced at Manchester Animation Festival on Sunday 9th November 2025.

Very best of luck!