Young Animator of the Year UK is gearing up to run its annual search for up-and-coming talent in the region, with a competition entry period that opens on May 12 and runs until September 1. 

British animators ages 11 to 22 are invited to submit short films (three minutes max) rendered in 2D, CG or stop motion. Entries will be divided into three age-based categories: 11 to 14, 15 to 18 and, for the first time ever, 19 to 22. This new addition is designed to support young adults who are either studying animation in school or just getting started in their careers. 

More than 30 judges are lined up to review the entries, and a shortlist of between 30 and 40 nominees will be announced on October 1, with nine winning films announced and screened at this year’s Manchester Animation Festival (November 9 to 13). Their creators will also be invited to tour major animation studios such as Aardman, Wildchild and Blue Zoo. 

ACCESS:VFX, a nonprofit collective of 70 VFX and animation studios focused on making the UK animation industry more inclusive, runs the YAY UK competition, sponsored this year by HUE, an edtech company selling animation kits that come with cameras and a license for animation software. 

Pictured is Blue Zoo’s Wonderblocks series.