North West Animation Sector Urged to Unite as Landmark Survey Launches Across the Region

North West Animation Sector Urged to Unite as Landmark Survey Launches Across the Region

• Survey launched to map the Animation, VFX, Motion Graphics, and Games Cinematic sector across Greater Manchester and the North West
• Led by Manchester Animation Festival (MAF) with BBC Children’s & Education, MediaCity Immersive Technologies Innovation Hub (MITIH), and MediaCity to assess regional impact, workforce scale, and financial contribution of the sector

Manchester, UK – The Manchester Animation Festival, in collaboration with BBC Children’s & Education, MediaCity, and the MediaCity Immersive Technologies Innovation Hub, has launched a landmark survey to capture a comprehensive, data-rich portrait of Greater Manchester’s animation, VFX, motion graphics, games cinematic, and immersive media sectors.

With the UK’s animation industry valued at an estimated £1.7 billion (Animation UK), this initiative seeks to quantify the North West’s regional contribution, assess the evolving creative landscape shaped by global shifts and emerging technologies such as AI and immersive platforms, and gather critical data on turnover, employment, and creative output. The findings will directly inform policymaking, research, inward investment, and workforce development – reinforcing Greater Manchester’s position as a leading hub for creativity and applied innovation within the UK’s dynamic creative economy.

Launching Monday 13th October, the survey invites local organisations, freelancers, and researchers across Greater Manchester and the North West to share anonymous insights – helping build a collective, data-driven profile of the region’s animation and cinematic sector.

Patricia Hidalgo, Director BBC Children’s & Education says: “MediaCity is home to BBC Children’s and Education, and we’ve been inspired by the region’s vibrant creative community, collaborating with many local partners. As we grow our ambitions for homegrown animation—particularly through our Ignite scheme—it’s vital that we listen to the industry, starting with our own area. We’re always open to new ideas and opportunities, and I’m looking forward to the insights this survey will bring.”

Dr Steve Henderson, Festival Director at MAF and GMAS Project Lead says:  “With Animation UK valuing the UK animation economy at £1.7 billion, we know animation is big business. It drives innovation, talent, and investment – yet without data, we risk being overlooked. This is our moment to prove our value. By bringing together companies, freelancers, and researchers from the Games, VFX, Motion Graphics, and Animation sectors, we can collectively contribute to the picture we’re painting of the region. Together, we can build the evidence that data-driven governments and policymakers can’t ignore – and make a real difference to the fortunes of our industry.”

Anthony Hatton, MITIH Programme Director, says: “The Animation community has helped to

put Greater Manchester’s creative sector on the global stage for many decades. The rate of

change in the industry means we need to understand more about the short-term challenges,

as well as the longer-term opportunities, that our colleagues are facing so that we can shape

the most effective interventions to help it flourish in the coming decade. We are therefore

delighted to support this survey which will allow everyone’s voice to be heard.”

Supporting the survey is Mackinnon & Saunders, the renowned Greater Manchester-based animation studio (Moon and Me, Twirlywoos, Raa Raa the Noisy Lion) celebrated for its world-class puppet craftsmanship (Guillermo Del Toro’s Pinocchio, Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride and Frankenweenie, Wes Anderson’s Fantastic Mr. Fox).

Ian Mackinnon, Co-founder and Creative Director/Executive Producer at Mackinnon & Saunders, adds: “Greater Manchester has long been a hub of imagination, innovation, and craftsmanship ​- and animation truly embodies that spirit. For decades, world-class artists and studios have made the region their creative home, building a community that shares ideas, nurtures new voices, and pushes boundaries.

The Greater Manchester Animation Sector Survey is a vital opportunity to evidence the industry’s economic, cultural, and creative value. By taking part, individuals and organisations help shape the future of animation in the region and ensure the next generation of talent has the support they need to thrive, strengthening Greater Manchester’s position as one of the UK’s most dynamic and globally recognised centres for animation and screen innovation.​ I’d really encourage everyone, from freelancers to studios large and small, to take a few minutes to contribute. It’s our chance to tell the world what makes this region such a special and inspiring place for animation.”

The 2025 Animation Sector Survey is a timely opportunity to spotlight Greater Manchester as a nexus of creativity, technology, and innovation. By capturing the sector’s data, voices, and future potential, the findings will inform strategic investment and policy – reinforcing the region’s role as a thriving hub for Creator Economy talent, CreaTech innovation, and Innovation District ambition.

The survey closes on Friday 24th October, with results set to be unveiled at MAF’s Animation Nation Forum on Wednesday 12 November at Bridgewater Hall, Manchester. The survey takes just 3–15 minutes to complete https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GMAnimation2025.