Cartoon Saloon at 25

Join us as we celebrate this Irish animation powerhouse 25 years on.

It was in Kilkenny, in 1999, that a trio of filmmakers created the Irish animation studio Cartoon Saloon. It has gone on to produce distinctive, high-quality, multi-award-winning films. The Irish animation powerhouse first came to public attention with the release of The Secret of Kells in 2009, a huge critical success that went on to gain an Oscar nomination for Best Animated feature – an achievement the studio would repeat on another three occasions. Their trilogy of films inspired by Irish folklore drew comparisons with the best of Studio Ghibli in their representation of their own heritage combined with quality and technique of the highest standard. Join us as we watch their films, shorts and features, in the company of the studio’s founders, Tomm Moore, Nora Twomey and Paul Young.

Justin Johnson, Lead Programmer

Event

In Conversation: Cartoon Saloon’s Tomm Moore, Nora Twomey and Paul Young

The Oscar-nominated creative team from Ireland’s Cartoon Saloon share their secret for success.

Read more

Season programme

The Secret of Kells

Brendan’s quest to unlock the secrets of the Book of Kells in this Oscar-nominated animated tale.

Read more

Song of the Sea

Ancient magic and folklore lie at the heart of this fine animated tale from Ireland.

Read more

The Breadwinner + Q&A with Nora Twomey

This exceptional animated film about a girl’s struggles in Afghanistan is based on the bestselling novel by Deborah Ellis.

Read more

Wolfwalkers + Q&A with director Tomm Moore

Young Robyn travels to Ireland with her father and befriends Meabh, who is hiding a secret that could change both of their lives forever.

Read more

My Father’s Dragon

Cartoon Saloon’s animated fable about a boy and a young dragon stranded on an island full of untamed beasts.

Read more

Funday: Puffin Rock and the New Friends

The TV favourite from Cartoon Saloon features the Puffins and their new friends in a race against time to save the final Little Egg of the season.

Read more

The Short Films of Cartoon Saloon + Q&A with Cartoon Saloon’s Nora Twomey, Tomm Moore and Paul Young

A varied and exquisite collection of shorts produced by the Irish studio from the last two decades.

Read more