The Pixar animator is amongst the high profile animators set to attend the 18th edition of the festival which runs Nov 8-12.

Andy Schmidt, whose animation work since joining Pixar in 2000 includes Monster Inc, Finding Nemo and The Incredibles, will be amongst the guests at the 18th edition of the Bradford Animation Festival (BAF). He will give a talk about his work.

Other festival attendees will include Richard McGuire, director of the animated film Micro Loup, who will be in conversation with Paul Gravett. Pixar and Disney layout and set designer Scott Caple will join Fraser MacLean and Roy Naisbitt, who both worked on Who Framed Roger Rabbit, to deliver a masterclass on animation layout. 

Oscar and BAFTA-nominated animator and director Barry Purves will also be in attendance to screen his two new films Plume and Tchaikovsky and to present the festival’s Awards.

Award-winning film maker, illustrator and author Geoff Dunbar will collect the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Festival with a retrospective which will include early works Lautrec and Ubu Roi. His latest film The Tap will also be screened.

Amongst the 120 films screening at the festival will be Arrietty, George the Hedgehog and The Animated Century.

Deb Singleton, director of Bradford Animation Festival said: “We are delighted to bring such big names from the worlds of animation and gaming to Bradford. The programme offers something for everyone from fans of animated films and gaming to students and industry professionals.”

The festival runs November 8-12 at the National Media Museum in Bradford.