THE CREATIVE MEET-UP OF THE YEAR

PLAYGROUNDS IN MOTION LONDON 2026

In Motion returns to London in 2026 as the creative meet-up of the year, right at the heart of European animation and media production.

Expect two days full of trailblazing artists in animation, motion design, and liquid cutting-edge creativity. Forward-thinkers, boundary-pushers, media-benders, new trends, innovative artworks, and exciting technologies – all the things that spark your artistry and INSPIRE!

Tickets are now live and you can get yours here.

In addition, do you actively support the creative community? Connect with emerging and established talent? Engage in a program that celebrates innovation within the moving image? Whether you’re here to exchange ideas, scout talent, or network with the industry, our Studio Partner Packages offer a simple and effective way to take part in our program. Think:

➡️ Studio visibility online and on-site
➡️ Exclusive breakfast club
➡️ Time slot in the Industry Garden
➡️ And much more! Explore the options here.

Curious what past participants had to say about In Motion London 2025?
Browse below some testimonials!

🎟️ Get your tickets here!

THE IN MOTION LONDON 2025 EXPERIENCE

✨ “Coming away from In Motion Playgrounds, I felt both grounded and expanded. It was an excellent reminder that good animation practice is still at its core about empathy and communication. Creative technology advancements are widening what’s possible if we approach them with curiosity and care.

It got me thinking that animation’s strength lies in its ability to build new, better worlds and how to see our reality anew from other perspectives.” Helen Piercy – V

 


“Very inspired by the work and people I’ve seen at this amazing event, In Motion. I’m leaving with a huge dose of inspiration and a deep respect for the craft. Thank you to all the speakers and the We Are Playgrounds team!” Kaleu B. Stefano – Senior Motion Graphic Designer

 

“Let’s talk about this year’s We Are Playgrounds INNNNNN Motion Festival

This year the festival brought us some of the biggest names on the creative stage, under one roof. The Barbican Centre [London] has turned into a playground of creativity and innovation. A place where you could get your creative brain cells fired up and recharged for a new challenge, connect with fellow artists and dive deeper into behind the scenes of the biggest creative campaigns in our industry.

This festival is great not because of the big names it introduces [although that’s in here too] but because it introduces the individual artists, giving them a stage to show up their amazing talent and passion for creating.” Nela Angelova – Specialising in Motion Guidelines for Brands, Kinetic Typography and File Organisation

 

✨ “Connecting with fellow aspiring creators and being part of such a passionate community reminded me exactly why I’m so driven to grow in this industry. I’m leaving the event more motivated than ever to keep pushing forward.” Musa Iftikhar Ali – 2D Animator 

 

“Back from In Motion London by We Are Playgrounds — and o-m-g!

I’m completely hooked on these events. The energy you leave with is just unmatched — that mix of inspiration, excitement, and creative drive.

Meeting and chatting with your “motion heroes,” discovering new artists, and seeing incredible work up close is always so captivating. The talks were wonderfully diverse, sparking innovative ideas and reigniting that inner creative spark.

That’s why I keep coming back to these events — they’re literally our adult playgrounds. Already counting down to the next one” Carol Markowski – Freelance 2D Motion Designer and Rive Animator @CaracolMotion

TAKING PART IN THE INDUSTRY GARDEN

“Attending the Playground event in London this year was both inspiring and a meaningful opportunity to observe where the creative industry is heading.

Being in the same space with some of the leading creative minds of the industry, sharing processes, vision, was truly energising.

One of the highlights for me was meeting so many young talents and reviewing their portfolios. We came across incredible artistic potential and strong visual thinking. However, it was also clear that many of them are still hesitant when it comes to taking their first big step into the industry.

Through our conversations, we tried to encourage them by sharing our own journey, how everyone starts exactly from that point, and how opportunities multiply once the first move is made.

My takeaway is simple: The talent is already there. The key is having the confidence to put that talent forward with conviction.” Ahmet İltas – Founder/ Executive Creative Director @Aniverse

 

Our team loved reviewing all the incredible portfolios, and were blown away by the energy and passion from artists sharing their work.

A big thank-you to everyone who stopped by to present their projects, and have a chat about all things animation and storytelling. Hearing your stories, providing mentorship and exchanging ideas is what events like this are all about.” DNEG – Animation and Post-Production Studio

Full Line Up - In Motion London 2026

GLEN KEANE & CLAIRE KEANE
exclusive interview with two animation legends
interview
LAIKA STUDIOS
stop-motion legends behind Wildwood, Coraline, Kubo and Missing Link
artist talk
FRAMESTORE
AMAZE.AMAZE.AMAZE: animating project Hail Mary's Rocky
artist talk
LUCAS ZANOTTO
designer, artist
artist talk
REMUS & KIKI
animation directors
artist talk
ALEXIS WANNEROY
head of character animation Fortiche
artist talk
ANA RAMÍREZ GONZÁLEZ
visual development artist
artist talk
EMANUELE COLOMBO
motion designer
artist talk
LAURIE ROWAN
director, animator
artist talk
BUCK
global creative company
artist talk
JOANNA QUINN
animator
artist talk
STUDIO AKA
animation studio
artist talk
THE LINE & JONATHAN DJOB NKONDO
animation studio
artist talk
STATE DESIGN
with founder & executive creative director Marcel Ziul
artist talk
ROSIE TONKIN
art director, modelmaker
interview
MANON LOUART
illustrator & motion designer
artist talk
VINCENT SCHWENK
3D artist
artist talk
YONK
VR sculpting 3D animation studio
artist talk
BLUE ZOO
animation studio
artist talk
LOEK VUGS
designer, animator, teacher
artist talk
MOTION HATCH: WHAT’S ACTUALLY WORKING RIGHT NOW TO GET CLIENTS
interview
interview
THONIK
design studio
artist talk
CLIP STUDIO PAINT DEMO BY DEXTER ISAAC
illustrator
demo
WACOM DEMO BY AMY ADCOCK
join this dneg animation character modeller for a wacom demo
demo
STUDIO AKA EXPO: PICATOPIA
unique piece from their graphic novel Picatopia
expo
CRAFT SESSION: WONKY MONSTER BY CAT JOHNSTON & NEIL SIMPSON
create your own posable paper puppet
Atelier
CRAFT SESSION: CREATE A MIXED-MEDIA SEQUENCE WITH ALICE ISAAC
animate your collage!
Atelier
WE ARE BETTER THAN THIS
panel discussion with Benji Davies, Simona Ciraolo and Ged Adamson, moderated by Helen Piercy
panel
EAT MY SHORTS
animated short film night
film screening, Q&A
BEST OF STASH 2026 (SO FAR)
curated screenings by Stash
film screening
3DTOTAL SHOP
pop-up bookshop with signing sessions from Gretel Lusky, Ramon Nuñez & Loish!
books
INDUSTRY GARDEN
chats, panels, talent scouting and more!
industry garden
INDUSTRY PANEL: HOW STUDIOS REALLY FIND AND HIRE FREELANCERS
with Steve Waugh, Tom Allen, Susie Joseph, hosted by Motion Hatch
panel
INDUSTRY PANEL: NEW TECHNOLOGY AND MOTION DESIGN: RATES, PIPELINES AND WHAT CLIENTS ARE ASKING FOR
with Franco Ballester, Vincent Schwenk hosted by Motion Hatch
panel
INDUSTRY PANEL: WHERE CREATIVE WORK IS COMING FROM IN 2026
with Santiago Avila, Kieran Argo and Bart Yates, hosted by Motion Hatch
panel
INDUSTRY PANEL: USING CRAFT AS YOUR COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE
with Justin Jegat, Cat Johnston, Erwin van de IJssel, Izzy Barszcz, hosted by Motion Hatch
panel
PORTFOLIO REVIEWS
brush up your portfolios!
portfolio reviews
MEET & GREETS
meet the artists!
meet & greet
FACE 2 FACE
hosted by Oana Nechifor and Sonia Vivo Sarria from Creative Brunch
chat and doodles
CALLIPEG BOOTH
try out the 2D animation software
partner
WACOM BOOTH
try out new products, join demos and aks your questions
partner
AFTERPARTY 16+
afterparty
GET TO KNOW OUR VENUE: BARBICAN CENTRE
a world-renowed arts and learning hub in London
venue
THE CREATIVE MEET-UP OF THE YEAR
right at the heart of London

Industry Garden - In Motion London 2026

INDUSTRY GARDEN
chats, panels, talent scouting and more!
industry garden
PORTFOLIO REVIEWS
brush up your portfolios!
portfolio reviews
KOTO
creative company
industry garden, industry walk-in, studio chat
COFFEE & TV
creative studio
industry garden, industry walk-in, studio chat
TVPAINT
frame by frame, idea by idea - connect with the team from TVPaint
industry garden, industry walk-in, studio chat
BLINKINK
production company
industry garden, industry walk-in, studio chat
THE FILM AND TV CHARITY
independent charity for everyone behind the scenes in film, TV and cinema
industry garden, industry walk-in, studio chat
SCREENSKILLS
industry-led skills body for the UK screen industry
industry garden, industry walk-in, studio chat
ESTÚPIDO ESTUDIO
creative studio
industry garden, industry walk-in, studio chat
BBC CREATIVE
agency
portfolio reviews, industry garden
BFI NETWORK
cultural charity, National Lottery funding distributor
industry garden, industry walk-in, studio chat
AARDMAN ACADEMY
animation training program
industry garden, industry walk-in, studio chat
DNEG
creates visual effects, animation and creative technologies for film, TV and immersive content
industry garden, industry walk-in, studio chat
BUFF MOTION
motion-first creative studio in Brighton
industry garden, industry walk-in, studio chat
UAL: LONDON COLLEGE OF COMMUNICATION
educational institution
industry garden, industry walk-in, studio chat
STUDIO AKA
animation studio
industry garden, industry walk-in, studio chat
COVERT
creative studio
industry garden, industry walk-in
NOT TO SCALE
industry garden, industry walk-in, studio chat
TOM FISHER
Compositor & VFX Supervisor
portfolio reviews, industry garden
WE ARE BETTER THAN THIS
industry garden, industry walk-in, studio chat
VINCENT SCHWENK
3D artist
portfolio reviews, industry garden
DYLAN WHITE
animation director
portfolio reviews, industry garden