"That truth shines through. That honesty shines through. And that's what animation is."

In a special 'timely' edition this week Julian speaks to Dr Steve Henderson, CEO, Director and Co-Founder of The Manchester Animation Festival.

We've dragged Steve away from his computer at the most crucial time of year for him, just a few days out from the start of this year's festival. And boy is it worth it!

Not only do we get the origin story of MAF itself but also Doctor Steve, the man. And then as a bonus we also get the origin story of Skwigly Magazine! What an episode.

Steve talks about trying to get the work life balance right and how his family and personal life are so intrinsically linked, it's hard to see the difference at times.

Julian asks about Steve's thoughts on AI (trigger warning, he doesn't hold back) and how he and his wife and co-Director of the festival, Jen Hall, make decisions on curating the films that are shown and the panels that are staged.

Fascinating stuff from a fascinating man.

For more info and tickets (still available!) on MAF, which starts on Sunday 9th November, go to manchesteranimationfestival.co.uk

For more on Skwigly Animation Magazine, so to skwigly.co.uk

And for details of NORTHWESTIVUS on the evening of Wednesday 12th November alongside MAF, go to fstvs.net/events/northwestivus-2/

With eternal gratitude, as always, to Janet Balmforth at libericonsulting.com/ and Julian Scott for wonderful hosting duties linkedin.com/in/julian-scott-b363405/