YAY UK Returns with Expanded Age Range and New Partnerships

YAY UK 2025 opens May 12 for young animators aged 11–22, now including a new 19–22 category. Winners are to be showcased at the Manchester Animation Festival.

On May 12, animation professionals between the ages of 11 and 22 can start entering their creations for the "Young Animator of the Year (YAY)" UK contests. Nominations are made public on October 1st, and submissions are due on September 1st. Young animators may display their skills and network with prominent individuals in the UK animation sector through YAY UK. Short stop-motion, 3D, and 2D animated movies are eligible to enter the competition.

Blue Zoo Animation Studio co-founder and YAY co-creator Tom Box expressed excitement about the new 19–22 age group, which was added in response to public demand. The goal of this extension is to continue showcasing the extraordinary ability of younger participants while also supporting young adults pursuing animation courses or early professional phases by offering a crucial stepping stone for this group.

This year's event is sponsored by YAY UK in collaboration with HUE and the Manchester Animation Festival. The three categories' winners will be revealed and given their premieres during the festival.

Ruth Barrett, HUE's head of animation, highlighted the company's dedication to encouraging young people's creativity through HUE Animation Studio and HUE Clay. She said she was thrilled to be sponsoring the YAY Awards, which honor up-and-coming animators and the power of creative narrative. YAY UK is a project of ACCESS: VFX, a group committed to developing talent at the local level to create a more representative and inclusive UK animation industry.