The Festival Team
Dr Steve Henderson - Festival Director
Steve is the Director of Manchester Animation Festival and a founding member of the team. He is also the editor and co-owner of skwigly.com, the UK’s biggest online animation magazine and community. Steve has a PhD in Animation Archives and British Children's Television Animation from Loughborough University.
Email Dr Steve Henderson
Jen Hall - Executive Producer & Programmer
Jen is the Executive Producer & Programmer of Manchester Animation Festival. She is a founding member of MAF, but before setting up and running MAF, she worked for the Bradford Animation Festival (BAF) for 7 years. Jen has been working in the independent film and festival sector for 15 years and until recently was the Film Programme Producer at HOME.
Email Jen Hall
Bill Lawrence - Finance Director
Bill Lawrence is the CEO of Reel Solutions and founder of the now closed Bradford Animation Festival (BAF) and the Bradford Film Festival (BIFF). He is a founding member of Manchester Animation Festival.
Email Bill Lawrence
Isabelle Croissant - Short Film Programmer
Isabelle has been a short film programmer for MAF since 2017. She is an experienced creative producer and programme manager with experience nurturing artists, building inclusive networks and creating space for meaningful collaboration across the film and digital sector. She was previously part of the Artist Development team at HOME, with a focus on film and digital.
Dan Kemp - Head of Partnerships and Development
As Head of Partnerships and development Dan is responsible for working with partners across industry and beyond to keep Manchester Animation Festival thriving! Dan is also executive producer at social impact production company Iconic Steps and when he's not doing those things he is a screenwriter.
Email Dan Kemp
Meg Watts - Marketing Manager
Meg is the Marketing Manager for Manchester Animation Festival. Meg is a writer, artist and environmentalist with a First-Class BA in Literature and Creative Writing from UEA. She has over 6 years experience in communications, EDI strategy and design thinking, working on everything from Climate Live’s solar powered festival stage to designing innovation programmes with the Wildlife Trusts.
Email Meg Watts
Kyle Boulton - Box Office Manager
Kyle is the Box Office Manager for Manchester Animation Festival and has previously worked with Aesthetica Short Film Festival & Sheffield DocFest. In 2022, Kyle completed an MA in Film & Literature at the University of York and has since operated across the creative industries.
Email Kyle Boulton
Laura Scott - Festival Coordinator
Laura is the Festival Coordinator for Manchester Animation Festival and has previously worked in other event production roles for various film festivals, such as the Edinburgh International Film Festival, Dublin International Film Festival, Glasgow Film Festival, Grimmfest and more.
Email Laura Scott
Alisha Kinkead-Weekes - Guest Services Coordinator
As Guest Services Coordinator, Alisha brings her years of experience from the film and television production industry to help create excellent and memorable experiences for MAF guests. She has previously worked on a variety of feature film and high-end television projects, and is excited to be a part of championing animation projects and wider talent in the North West.
Email Alisha Kinkead-Weekes
Jessie Gibbs - Volunteers Coordinator
Jessie is the Volunteers Coordinator for Manchester Animation Festival, having previously worked for MAF in event production and as the Marketplace Coordinator. For 18 years she was the ¡Viva! Festival Coordinator at HOME and Cornerhouse.
Tom Box - Chair of The Board
After co-founding Blue Zoo 20 years ago, Tom continues to be a driving force throughout the company helping the studio stay ahead of the game within the industry and with the workforce; volunteering on many initiatives to help the next generation of artists from all backgrounds break in and move up in the animation industry.
Sherelle Fairweather - Board Member
Sherelle is a Work and Skills Specialist creating and delivering the work that Manchester City Council does to support business and connect local residents to the opportunities created by the City's growth. Sherelle is currently leading on creative and digital skills, digital inclusion and the development of the Manchester Adult Education and Skills Plan.
Jackie Edwards - Board Member
Jackie is currently living her dream job as Head of the BFI Young Audiences Content Fund, where she is responsible for the successful implementation of this game changing UK Government initiative to stimulate the provision of public service content for audiences of 0-18. Jackie joined the BFI from BBC Children's where she had been the Head of Acquisitions and Independent Animation.
Elroy Simmons - Board Member
Elroy Simmons has worked as a 2D Animator since 1995 and as a tutor since 2005. Elroy’s career has, so far, survived the Animation Industry’s transition from 2D cel animation to an overwhelmingly digitally animated, 2D/3D landscape. Elroy’s worked on a range of projects - from TV commercials and kids TV series, to independent shorts – in collaboration with other Directors. Elroy’s substantial experience working on both ‘independent’ and ‘commercial’ animated projects, has afforded work in both a range of roles (from writing, to character design/development, storyboarding, animation timing, animation layout and supervising animator, animation direction and art direction) and in a range of drawing styles.
Jo Clayton - Board Member
Jo Clayton has a background in journalism and is an experienced PR specialist. She works part-time in communications at the BBC, publicising content made by the Children’s & Education department. Outside of the BBC she is a freelance PR consultant and an Associate Lecturer at Manchester Metropolitan University.
Helen Bowdur - Board Member
Helen has been fundraising in the cultural sector for over 15 years and worked with some of the major national arts organisations in the North of England including the National Science and Media Museum, The Manchester International Festival and Opera North. She has been part of the MAF team since 2017 and in 2022 has joined the MAF Board.
Kate O'Connor - Board Member
Kate is a senior consultant in creative industries, working with a wide range of private and public-sector clients in the UK and internationally. Kate is Executive Chair of Animation UK, part of the UK Screen Alliance, and represents the sector to the government level, developing business, export, and skills-related policies to support the industry’s growth.
Our supporters
