Manchester, UK’s animation and content creation conference Manimation has revealed its speaker lineup for the 2016 edition, taking place Thursday, November 17 at Auto Trader, 1 Tony Wilson Place. Representing the local industry is keynote speaker Cat Lewis, CEO and Executive Producer of Nine Lives Media, and Manchester Global Ambassador. Founded by Lewis, Nine Lives Media is a BAFTA, RTS and International Emmy award-winning TV production company, now the Northwest’s biggest factual independent producer.
Manimation is designed to inform companies and freelancers about key factors for business success in working in animation, VFX, commercials, corporate, interactive, games, apps and virtual reality. The event is organised by The Children’s Media Conference, the UK’s premiere organization for the children’s content industries, and is co-funded by Creative Skillset’s Skills Investment Fund. Manimation also coincides with the last day of the Manchester Animation Festival.
Confirmed speakers also include:
Abigail Fairhurst (Layout Assistant, Brown Bag Films), Adrian Healey (Director of Business Development, The Manchester Growth Company), Andy Wright (HETV and Animation Certification Analyst, BFI), Ben Mills (CEO, Desk Dragons), Chris Halliday (Senior Certification Analyst, BFI), Daniel Kemp (Executive Producer, Hiive at Creative Skillset), David Sproxton (Co-founder and Executive Chairman of Aardman Animations and Member of BAFTA VR Advisory Board), Erica Darby (Producer, Spider Eye), Fiona Scott (Postgraduate Researcher, University of Sheffield), Helen Brunsdon (Creative Skillset), Jo Allen (BBC Children’s Animation and Acquisitions), Kath Shackleton (Producer, Fettle Animation), Nick Pittom (Director, Fire Panda), Oli Hyatt (Creative Director, Blue Zoo Animation), Peter Caddock (Head of New Technologies, Studio Liddell), Praveen Zacharies (Toon Boom Compositor/Renderer, Brown Bag Films), Rose Marley (CEO, Sharp Futures), Sarah Legg (Programme Executive, Acquisitions and Independent Animations, CBeebies), Steven Swanborough (Freelance Animator, Motion Designer and Editor), Tim Patterson (CEO, Larkshead Media), and Tim Searle (Executive Producer of Animation, CBBC Productions).
“This year’s Manimation program will explore children’s animation and commissioning trends and opportunities for small and independent companies. It will also examine creating narrative through VR, motion graphics & VFX around Manchester and the Northwest and the impact of Brexit on creative industries amongst other topics,” said Kathy Loizou, Director, The Children’s Media Conference. “Places are still available and we recommend delegates register to avoid disappointment.”
“Greater Manchester has a long-established reputation as an industry leader in animation, with a decorated and respected heritage of content creators,” added Tim Newns, CEO of MIDAS, Manchester’s inward investment organization. “Today, Manchester is recognized for its high-calibre, creative and uniquely diverse cluster of animation professionals, which makes Manimation the ideal platform for delegates from the regional, national and international community to gain industry insight and form valuable connections.”
