YAY UK works to discover, nurture and celebrate young animation talent in the UK, with a successful industry-judged short film competition for animators aged 11–18.
Do you know a young, passionate animator dreaming of making it big in the industry? Look no further than the Young Animator of the Year UK (YAY UK) 2024 competition. This incredible opportunity is designed to discover, nurture, and celebrate the most talented young animators across the United Kingdom.
YAY UK is an industry-led initiative that aims to showcase the work of young animators aged 11-18 to professional artists and animation experts. By fostering growth at the grassroots level, YAY UK is committed to building an inclusive animation industry that welcomes individuals from all backgrounds.
Whether the young animator specializes in 3D, 2D, or stop-motion animation, YAY UK wants to see their creativity come to life. Submit up to a 3-minute animated film by Monday, 16 September, for the chance to win amazing prizes and kickstart an animation career of dreams.
Winners will receive prestigious trophies at a special awards ceremony hosted by the Manchester Animation Festival and sponsored by Blue Zoo Animation Studio. Winners will also be treated to exclusive tours of the UK’s top animation studios. Previous YAY UK winners have gone on to achieve great success, landing roles at renowned studios like Blue Zoo and The Mill.
It was a joy to judge the Young Animator of The Year UK awards last year; I’m still inspired by the work from last year’s animators and can’t wait to see what amazing films they create this year!
Will Becher, Director at Aardman and YAY UK Judge
For the 2024 competition, YAY UK is excited to reveal a brand new visual identity and logo, courtesy of the brilliant team at Animade.
If you know a creative young person in the UK who dreams of becoming an animator, be sure to share this incredible opportunity with them. Visit the YAY UK website for more information and to submit an entry.
YAY UK is an ACCESS:VFX initiative.
