MOVE Summit 2026 Expands to Four Days and Announces First Guests
Skwigly
MOVE Summit, Scotland’s animation and VFX gathering, returns this year to the historic Pleasance Courtyard and other Edinburgh venues from 18th – 21st February 2026, now taking place over four days rather than the usual three. The conference brings together industry leaders, creatives & practitioners, broadcasters and commissioners, students and educators in Edinburgh, to celebrate the year’s most outstanding animated and visual effect projects, industry successes and inspire the next generation of artists.
Returning this year will be our dedicated Emerging Talent Day (Wednesday 18th February) dedicated to students with a programme focused on Industry-ready skill development. Following hot on its heels will be our two Industry Days (Thursday 19th and Friday 20th February) bringing together delegates from all over the UK and beyond and highlighting Scotland’s work to global audiences.
The industry programme includes; inspiring creative talks, workshops, the exhibition (including recruitment fair, demos, information stands, software and hardware vendors marketplace and more), the Business@MOVE strand of sessions, our portfolio reviews and 1:1 meetings (giving attendees the opportunity to meet commissioners, creative agencies, funders and industry experts), competitions and much more.
And returning also is our live pitching showcase, The Big MOVE Pitch, which gives shortlisted creatives the opportunity to pitch their show concept live, on stage in front of industry experts and the opportunity to win £1,000 to take their project to the next stage and more.
And for the first time, extending MOVE Summit to four days, is our dedicated Screenings Day (on Saturday 21st February) which will give attendees the opportunity to watch the best of Scottish, UK and International Animation. We look forward to introducing the full screenings programme in the new year. Screening sessions are included in any pass combination that includes attendance on at least one industry day.
First Guests Announced for MOVE Summit 2026
Todd Harris
TODD HARRIS, creator, director, and showrunner of the limited series EYES OF WAKANDA, the only extension in the Black Panther universe not directed by Coogler himself. Before this Todd spent years designing action for some of the most iconic movies in the world – AVENGERS, JOHN WICK, DEADPOOL, SPIDER-MAN, BLACK PANTHER, and SINNERS earning deep respect from top filmmakers across Hollywood, standing out as a narrative driver who has a rare grasp of character, world building, and kinetic action. Above all, he’s a true cinephile and filmmaker with something to say – all in the name of telling fresh, bold stories.
Natalie Adams
Natalie Adams has over 25 years’ senior management level experience in IP development, TV production, international distribution, financing and new business development in Kids & Family animation. She is currently SVP Business Development for Triggerfish Animation and Executive Producer for Tiger Aspect Kids & Family, overseeing the original series Stan & Gran for Milkshake! and Nickelodeon UK.
Natalie spent over seven years at Jellyfish Pictures (2018-2025), initially to oversee its newly established Original Kids’ Content Division before earning promotion to Managing Director – Animation & Originals, and latterly as Managing Director of Originals. Prior to that she spent almost six years at Platinum Films as Head of Global Strategy.
Her credits include DogMan (DreamWorks), Wolf King (Netflix Series), The Twits (Netflix Features),
Matt Hatter Chronicles (ITV) and Everything’s Rosie (CBeebies).
Jon Mason
Jon Mason is the Founder and Managing Director of Jollywise, a Brighton-based digital studio specialising in animation, children’s media, and interactive storytelling. With more than 25 years in digital entertainment, Jon has created award-winning work for global brands including Disney, BBC Studios, Warner Bros., Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network.
He is the creator and executive producer of Stan & Gran, the international animated preschool series currently airing on Channel 5’s kids block Milkshake!. Inspired by Jon’s own childhood adventures in nature with his grandmother, the show celebrates curiosity, wildlife, and the magic of intergenerational relationships.
Alongside Jollywise’s digital work, Jon now focuses on building original IP, expanding Stan & Gran internationally, and exploring new formats, from preschool Roblox worlds to motion-driven games for young children. Based in Sussex for over 20 years, Jon champions storytelling that helps kids learn, laugh and connect with the natural world.
MOVE Summit 2026 is made possible thanks to the generous support of the event’s funders and partners, who include Screen Scotland, Cahoots Studios, ScreenSkills, Eyebolls, Praxinos, Wild Child Animation, Halon, Milkshake! And Paramount.
The full conference agenda and guestlist is expected to be released within the next month. Visit https://movesummit.co.uk for more information and watch out for announcements across our social
media channels.