The Animation Nation Forum returns to Manchester on 11 November. The Animation Nation Forum (ANF) returns on Wednesday 11 November 2026 to Manchester's Bridgewater Hall, supported this year by Manchester City Council. The Forum will bring together industry leaders for a programme of key discussions and networking opportunities, addressing the most pressing issues and challenges facing the animation sector today. One Day, Multiple Key Conversations * ANF opens with a Forum Welcome Breakfast, giving delegates the opportunity to reconnect with peers ahead of the day's programme, which includes:"Where Is the Next Generation of Talent Coming From?" - asking how Awnchina ensure today's uncertainty doesn't become tomorrow's skills gap. Speakers will unpack what good practice looks like, share practical approaches, and explore the bigger questions around attracting, nurturing and retaining the next generation of animation talent. The conversation will be led by Tom Jenkins, Creative Director of Spud Gun Studios, with a panel including Shelley Page, Key Talent and Artist Liaison at Locksmith Animation, and filmmaker William Grave, Founder of the Human Made Mark. * UK Feature Production - examining the growing spotlight on feature-animation creatives and the readiness required from studios to meet both the opportunities and the demands of long-form work. How can the UK develop the skills, infrastructure and creative ambition needed to compete globally? * The Super Summit - a free-to-attend ticketed event bringing together Heads of Department from across the industry, including Leanne Loughran, Senior Manager - Talent Connection at Industrial Light & Magic, and David Park, Managing Director Animation Studio at Dream Games, alongside other industry representatives for a knowledge-exchange session focused on leadership, culture-building and practical advice for both emerging and established HODs. * Meet Your Producer - a guided networking mixer bringing creatives and producers together to spark new collaborations and ideas for future projects. * State of the Animation Nation, supported by Liquid Violet - some of animation's most influential voices come together for a roundtable discussion examining the current health of the industry, tackling hard-hitting questions, reflecting on both the challenges and successes of recent years, and exploring what lies ahead. Featuring Kate O'Connor, Executive Chair and Strategic Lead at Animation UK, and Crosby Clays, Managing Director of DNEG Animation. * Making Characters Work - exploring how character can be a powerful driver of engagement, brand building and commercial growth. Speakers include Tom Judd, Associate Creative Director at Duolingo and co-founder of Animade, and Kenny England, Director of Digital, Social and Communities at Aardman Animations. New Highlights: Fix the Animation Nation and More Screenings On Tuesday 10 November, Fix the Animation Nation, ANF's new TED-style rapid-fire session, invites the industry to put forward the most pressing challenges facing animation today - and to explore the solutions that could help shape animation's future. Following an open call, participants will take to the stage alongside global storytelling strategist and Collective Moxie founder and CEO Julie Ann Crommet for a fast-paced exchange of ideas designed to spark action across the sector. * Beyond the Forum, this year's festival line-up includes even more additions:The highly anticipated French feature LUCY LOST, based on the acclaimed book by Michael Morpurgo and produced by Xilam Animation, will receive its UK premiere, followed by a Q&A with director Olivier Clert and writer Helen Blakeman. * A special screening of Warner Bros. Animation and DNEG's The Cat in the Hat, followed by an exclusive behind-the-scenes session exploring how the iconic Dr. Seuss story is being reimagined for a new generation, featuring Jean-François Leroux, DFX Supervisor at DNEG Animation. * A session from Spud Gun Studios, the creative force behind the wildly popular Mashed, one of the biggest animated channels on YouTube with millions of fans and billions of views worldwide. Meet the Minds behind MASHED Spud Gun Studios offers a chance to get to know the Spud Gun philosophy and go behind the scenes to discover how original IP, work with huge brands, and music for a new generation of digital-first fans keep Spud Gun firing. Spotlight on: Sue Terry Voices MAF is thrilled to welcome Sue Terry Voices to its 2026 edition. Established in 1999, Sue Terry Voices is the leading independent voiceover agency with offices in Soho, London, devoted to representing actors, comedians, broadcasters, DJs and top international voice talent, brimming with expertise on all things voiceover-related. Representatives from the team will head to MAF 2026 where Sue Terry Voices are supporting Animated Answers: Funny You Should Say, a panel packed with brilliantly funny speakers Tiernan Douieb (Hey Duggee, Duck and Frog, Stan and Gran), multi-award-winning children's screenwriter Isabel Fay (Shaun the Sheep, LEGO Boop, MaeBee) and multi-award-winning comedy writer Tasha Danrhaj (Shaun the Sheep, Duck and Frog, Lloyd of the Flies), who will discuss the secrets to sniggering, uncover the mysteries to mirth-making, de-classify chuckles, and be on hand to listen to your questions and offer their animated answers. The Value of Taking PartConfronting core industry issues. From the talent pipeline and feature-production capacity to the health of the sector, ANF puts the most pressing questions on the table rather than settling for generalities. * High-level networking and knowledge exchange.The Super Summit and Meet Your Producer offer targeted opportunities for HODs, creatives and producers to connect - helping spark new collaborations and projects. * Practical, actionable value.The Forum emphasises "what good practice looks like," "practical approaches," and "leadership and culture-building," offering direct takeaways for both emerging and established professionals. * Connecting creativity and commerce.Sessions such as Making Characters Work link character-building to engagement, brand building and commercial growth, helping creators understand the business logic behind their work. * Discovering new work and new voices.UK premieres, special screenings and behind-the-scenes sessions give participants early access to new industry work and success stories from the digital-first era - and a read on content trends. * Driving industry action. Fix the Animation Nation collects challenges and solutions in a fast, open format, moving the industry from "discussing problems" to "driving change." Conclusion: ANF 2026 is more than an industry gathering - it is a concentrated check-up on talent, production capacity, leadership and commercial value. For animation professionals, taking part means gaining industry insight, practical methods and high-quality connections at once - exactly the opportunity to turn challenges into action at a time of rising uncertainty.

GamesBeat announces winners of the inaugural Mobile Mogul Awards. * by GamesBeat * November 2, 2026 * 4 min Join the Leaders Making Gaming's Next Big Deals. GamesBeat NEXT brings 500+ executives, CEOs, founders, and investors to San Francisco, November 2-3, to shape the future of gaming, entertainment, and AI. Connect with industry leaders, forge strategic partnerships, and close deals that move business forward. Be in the room. Get your ticket. GamesBeat has announced the winners of the inaugural Mobile Mogul Awards, celebrating the leaders, entrepreneurs, and creative visionaries shaping mobile gaming and its expanding influence across entertainment, technology, brands, and culture. Carol Reed, Shahar Sorek & Bryce Showalter: Proving the ROI of Games | Full GB Insider Conversation Powered by GB MAX, the Mobile Mogul Awards recognize the people driving the evolution of mobile gaming, from the executives who have helped build the industry into a global powerhouse to the innovators developing new experiences and business models for its future. Mobile gaming has grown far beyond the smartphone screen. It now plays a central role in the global games business, connecting billions of players with entertainment franchises, consumer brands, creators, and new forms of interactive experiences. The inaugural Mobile Mogul Awards recognize four leaders whose work reflects the breadth and influence of this evolving industry. The winners represent four distinct areas of achievement across mobile gaming. GamesBeat'll be celebrating the winners over the weeks, showcasing video clips of nominees and winners across GamesBeat's social media channels. "The future of mobile is shaped by bold ideas, strong leadership, and innovation - and our Mobile Mogul Award winners and nominees embody exactly that. What makes these awards special is the combination of insight from our esteemed judges and the public's voice through their votes. All 16 nominees deserve recognition for their contributions to the global mobile market, and we congratulate them all, with special recognition to this year's winners. We're proud to celebrate those pushing our industry forward and defining what comes next for mobile," said Gina Joseph, CEO of GamesBeat. The Mobile Visionary Award: Ilkka Paananen, CEO and co-founder of Supercell. The Mobile Visionary Award recognizes longtime mobile gaming leaders whose strategic vision, innovations, and career achievements have significantly impacted the industry. This year's winner is Ilkka Paananen, CEO and co-founder of Supercell, one of the most influential companies in mobile gaming. Under Paananen's leadership, Supercell has built a portfolio of globally recognized games, including Clash of Clans, Clash Royale, Brawl Stars and Hay Day. The company's approach to small, autonomous development teams has helped establish a distinctive model for building and supporting enduring game franchises. Paananen has consistently championed creative independence, ambitious game development and a culture that gives teams the freedom to pursue exceptional ideas. His leadership has helped shape how mobile games are developed, operated, and sustained over time, making him a fitting recipient of the inaugural Mobile Visionary Award. The Mobile Breakthrough Award: Soner Aydemir, CEO and co-founder of Dream Games. The Mobile Breakthrough Award honors emerging mobile gaming leaders whose ideas, entrepreneurial ambition, and creative approaches have made a significant impact on the industry. This year's winner is Soner Aydemir, CEO and co-founder of Dream Games, the studio behind the global mobile puzzle hit Royal Match and its follow-up, Royal Kingdom. Dream Games has established itself as a major force in mobile gaming through its focus on polished gameplay, accessible puzzle mechanics, and high-quality presentation. Royal Match has become one of the market's standout mobile titles, demonstrating how careful product design and sustained live operations can help a game reach a vast global audience. Aydemir's work at Dream Games reflects the entrepreneurial drive and product ambition that the Mobile Breakthrough Award was created to celebrate. The studio's rise illustrates how new companies can challenge established players and build substantial businesses in one of the most competitive segments of the games industry. The Mobile Brand & Culture Award: Mathias Gredal Nørvig, CEO of SYBO. The Mobile Brand & Culture Award recognizes leaders who connect mobile games with brands, entertainment, intellectual property and broader popular culture, building meaningful relationships with audiences. This year's winner is Mathias Gredal Nørvig, CEO of SYBO, the studio behind Subway Surfers, one of the most recognizable and enduring franchises in mobile gaming. Since its debut in 2012, Subway Surfers has become a global phenomenon, reaching players across generations and markets. Its colorful visual identity, accessible gameplay, and ongoing evolution have helped the franchise maintain a strong cultural presence well beyond its original launch. Under Nørvig's leadership, SYBO has continued to develop the franchise and explore ways to connect its characters and world with audiences across platforms and formats. The company's work illustrates how a mobile game can become more than a successful product: it can grow into a recognizable entertainment brand with lasting cultural relevance. The award recognizes the role of leaders who understand that mobile games increasingly operate at the intersection of interactive entertainment, community, marketing, and global culture. The Mobile Innovator Award: Jenova Chen, CEO of thatgamecompany. The Mobile Innovator Award celebrates leaders pushing the boundaries of mobile game development, product design, technology, and business strategy. This year's winner is Jenova Chen, CEO of thatgamecompany, a creative leader known for exploring how games can deliver emotionally resonant experiences and connect people through interactive entertainment. Chen co-founded thatgamecompany and helped establish its reputation through games including flOw, Flower and Journey. The studio later brought its distinctive creative approach to mobile with Sky: Children of the Light, an experience built around exploration, cooperation and social connection. Sky demonstrates how mobile games can create spaces for shared experiences that go beyond conventional competitive or progression-driven play. Its emphasis on empathy, discovery and community reflects a broader vision of what interactive entertainment can achieve. Through his work as a designer and studio leader, Chen has continued to explore new possibilities for games as a medium. The Mobile Innovator Award recognizes that commitment to creative experimentation and to expanding the emotional and social possibilities of mobile gaming. Celebrating the leaders shaping mobile's future. The inaugural Mobile Mogul Awards reflect GamesBeat's commitment to recognizing the people shaping the global games business and the wider interactive economy. From Supercell's enduring development philosophy and Dream Games' rapid rise to SYBO's cultural influence and thatgamecompany's distinctive creative vision, this year's winners demonstrate the many ways leadership and innovation can shape the future of mobile entertainment. The awards are part of GamesBeat's broader coverage of the intersection of gaming, technology, entertainment, commerce and culture. As mobile continues to influence how people play, connect and engage with brands and stories around the world, the Mobile Mogul Awards celebrate the leaders helping define what comes next. The winners will be recognized as part of GamesBeat NEXT, taking place November 2-3, 2026, in San Francisco, bringing together executives, founders, investors, publishers, and other leaders from across the interactive economy.