Young Animator of the Year UK 2026
Catalog organization: ACCESS:VFX
Compiled by: ExtracurricularHub Editorial Team — editorial policy
Last updated
What Is Young Animator of the Year UK 2026?
YAY UK is an ACCESS:VFX initiative run with Blue Zoo Animation Studio, Manchester Animation Festival, and HUE support. It is free and open to animators ages 11-22 living in the United Kingdom. Entries are currently open for stop-motion, 2D, 3D, and a new group-project category.
Solo entrants compete in age groups 11-14, 15-18, or 19-22 and may submit one solo entry plus one group project. The detailed rules require a 2026 entry to be an MP4 at least 1280×720, no more than three minutes excluding credits, created after September 5, 2025, and suitable for a U/PG family audience. A solo entrant must direct and be the sole animator. Music and visual assets must be original, properly licensed, or free to use; generative-AI video tools are prohibited. Entrants under 16 need parent/guardian approval, and an entrant under 13 needs a parent, carer, or teacher to create the account.
Young Animator of the Year UK 2026 Key Facts: Cost, Deadline, and Eligibility
| Cost | Free |
|---|---|
| Format | Hybrid |
| Eligibility | Ages 11–22 |
| Listing last updated | August 30, 2026 |
Program details shown here reflect the current catalog record.
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