Animation Dingle 2026 Festival Programme

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Official Industry Partners

Festival Programme

Festival Team Thanks to everyone who brought our AD 2026 over the line Animation Dingle Staff Festival Director / Co-Founder Maurice Galway Festival Coordinator Amy Louise O’ Callaghan Communications and Business Development, Sinead Smith Guests Coordinator / Company Administration Catherine Galway Art Director Miguel Filho Social Media Coordinator Natasha Myers JAM Media Festival Co-Founder John Rice Conference/Art Auction/Pitch & A Pint MC Mark Cumberton The Big Pitcher / Art Auction MC Alan Shannon Sketch Trail Borja Espana Guillot Art Auction Scott McDonnell, Audrey Stedman, Alison Crowley Gaza in Colour Shauna Cullen Volunteers Volunteer Coordinator: Iolanda Filipponi Alby Carnaby, Abby Byrne, Adelaide Jachi, Alan Stanzione, Conor Flanagan, Dug Calder, Éabha Vesey, Emma Rea, Faith Russell, Joell Donnellan, Joseph Leneghan, Lauren Hannon, Maria Rosa Figueiredo, Micheal Berrill Doran, Owen Bourdages, Rachel O’Connor, Saoirse Kelly, Tara Gavigan Animation Dingle Board of Directors Bonnie Arnold, Mark Cumberton, Maurice Galway, John Rice, Alan Shannon Web Design: Robert Condon Projection/Technical team: CAVS

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Animation Dingle

How to Fest Welcome to Animation Dingle 2026! Animation Dingle is a ticketed event and can only be accessed by legitimate ticket holders.

The Animation Dingle Festival Desk Location: The Dingle Skellig Hotel Desk opening times are: Thursday, 19th March............12:30-19:00 Friday, 20th March..................08:00-19:00 Saturday, 21st March.............10:00-17:00

Collecting Your Festival Pass You need a Festival Pass to access all Animation Dingle events. You can collect it from the festival desk.

On collection, you will receive: - A Lanyard and a Festival Pass with your name printed on it.

- A wristband will be secured to your wrist.

To access all events, you need to present both your Pass and your wristband.

Attending Festival Events Events are first-come, first-served. Arrive at a good time to secure your seat/space.

Event Locations All Animation Dingle events are located within walking distance of one another, however allow for travel time between venues.

The Dingle Skellig Hotel The Main Hub of Animation Dingle 2026.

Venues in the Dingle Skellig Hotel include: - Conference Room - Toon Boom Room.

- Breeches Room St. James Church Approx 15 minute walk from The Dingle Skellig Hotel Wave Dingle Theatre - Round Room - Pirate Ship Approx 20 minute walk from The Dingle Skellig Hotel

Sustainability Help us reduce waste by returning your lanyards and passes to the Box Office at the end of the festival.

Your help is greatly appreciated.

The Dingle Skellig Hotel has water taps supplied by their own well. We highly recommend everyone bring a water bottle for refilling at these stations.

Accessibiliity Quiet Hour Registration at Animation Dingle can be a hectic experience.

This year, a designated Quiet Hour for registration will be provided on Thursday 19th.

Please email info@animationdingle.com for more information on how to book in.

Festival Shuttle Bus Loop A Free Shuttle Bus service will run throughout the festival.

This is a FREE hop-on-hop-off shuttle departing from the Dingle Skellig Hotel and making stops at all Festival venues before returning to the hotel.

There is limited capacity and so we urge everyone to allow those who need it most to avail of a seat.

The Shuttle Bus will run continuously during the following times: Thursday, March 19th 13.00 - 17.00 Friday, March 20th 10.00 - 17.00 Saturday, March 21st 10.00 - 17.00

Irish Language Words and Phrases and How to Pronounce Them!

Screening Cur ar Scáileán / Kur air scaw-lawn gen

Taispeáint / Teilgean tash-paw-int Tel-ih-

Programme / Program Clár clawr Official Selection Rogha Oifigiúil Row-a Iff-i-gool Closing Party Cóisir Chlabhsúir Co-shur khlow-soor Awards Ceremony Searmanas Gradam Shar-min-us Gra-dum Workshop Ceardlann Ci-yard-lon Masterclass Máistir-rang Mawsh-tir Row-ng Panel Discussion Plé Painéil Play Pan-ayl Animation Beochan Be-yo-khan Animated Film Scannán Beochana Scon-awn Be-yo-khana

Hand-drawn Animation Beochan Lámhlínithe Be-yo-khan Lawv-leen-aheh Stop-Motion Beochan Íomhá ar Íomhá Be-yo-khan Ee-vaw air Ee-vaw 2D Animation Beochan 2T Be-yo-khan dhá-tee 3D Animation Beochan 3T Be-yo-khan tree-tee Visual Storytelling Scéalaíocht Fhísiúil Sh-kayl-ee-ucht Eesh-ool World-building Tógáil Cruinne Tow-gawl Crin-neh Character Design Dearadh Carachtar De-yar-ah Car-ick-tear Background Art Ealaín Chúlra Al-een Kh-ool-ra Storyboard Scéalchlár Sh-kayl-kh-lor Sound Design Dearadh Fuaime Jarr-ah Foo-im-eh The Irish Language Award Gradam na Gaeilge Grad-om Nah Gw-ayl-geh

Map Léarscáil Lare-scawl Mapa Mop-eh Storytelling Scéalaíocht Sh-kayl-ee-ukht Creativity Cruthaitheacht Cruh-ha-hukht Imagination Samhlaíocht Sow-lee-ukht Story Scéal Sh-kayl Tradition Traidisiún Trad-ish-oon Culture Cultúr Kult-oor Community Pobal Pub-ol Language Teanga Tong-gah Identity Féiniúlacht Fayn-ool-okht

Collaboration Comhoibriú Co-ib-roo Welcome to the festival Fáilte go dtí an fhéile Fáwl-te guh dee un ay-le Thank you (singular) for joining us Go raibh maith agat as a bheith linn Guh rev moh ag-ut os a veh lin Thank you (plural)for joining us Go raibh maith agaibh as a bheith linn Guh rev moh ag-wiv os a veh lin Please welcome…(singular) Cuir fáilte roimh…

Cur fawl-teh riv …

Please welcome…(plural) Cuirigí fáilte roimh…

Cur-iggy fawl-teh riv …

Congratulations to the winners Comhghairdeas leis na buaiteoirí Co-ghore-deg-gis lesh nu bua-tore-ee Thank you to our filmmakers Buíochas leis na scannánóirí Bway-khus lesh nu scon-awn-ore-ee Follow us on…(social media) (singular) Lean sinn ar … (meáin shóisialta) Lyan shing ar … (myawn hoe-shee-al-teh) Follow us on…(social media) (singular) Leanaigí sinn ar … (meáin shóisialta) (plural) Lyan-aggy shing ar … (myawn hoe-shee-al-teh)

Brought to you by

Official Industry Partner

Main Sponsors

Top Tier Sponsors

Second Tier Sponsors

Dingle Sponsors

Local Funders

Animation Dingle would like to thank Kerry County Council for financial assistance under the Community Support Fund 2025 in respect of the 13th Animation Dingle.

Funders

Official Cultural Partners

Animation Dingle Fáilte Welcome to Animation Dingle! As Festival Director and Co-founder, it is my absolute pleasure to welcome you back to the Dingle Peninsula. This year, our theme is “Connected by Stories,” which is a tribute to the universal language of animation that binds our global community together. And this connection is highly treasured by Animation Dingle which is itself OUR collective Festival.

Our Festival would not be possible without our incredible main supporters. A heartfelt thank you to Jam Media, Screen Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, RTÉ Kids, Disney, StoryToys, and Leader for your support and your belief in our festival.

We are fortunate to be joined by an incredible list of special guests this year. From indie legends like Bill Plympton and Aardman’s Peter Lord, to industry leaders like writer/director Karey Kirkpatrick, and Cartoon Saloon’s Tomm Moore, our lineup reflects the breadth of our dynamic world of animation.

Over the coming days, you will experience a diverse schedule of events. Our inspiring conference sessions open this year with The Jim Henson Company celebrating an incredible 70 years. We also feature a highly anticipated sneak peek from The Cat in the Hat, as well as a fascinating look at adapting Irish folklore for the modern screen. Beyond the conference, enjoy world-class screenings, celebrate at our Awards, and hone your craft in our Workshops & Masterclasses with the likes of Rej Bourdages and Barry Purves. And don’t miss industry staples like the StoryToys Careers & Recruitment Fair and the ever-popular Pitch & a Pint!

I also want to highlight our NEW events designed especially for our student attendees. So, be sure to check out the Confessionals, our Meet & Mingle networking session, and the “My Untold Story” event, each giving students tools for supported entry into conversations and opportunities across the weekend. Finally, prepare to be blown away by our student closing spectacular featuring the incredible audiovisual stylings of ALEA(S).

Beyond the screen, I absolutely loved putting together our “Animation is Art” exhibition in Siamsa Tíre.

A massive thank you to all the incredible artists who so generously loaned their work and their personal collection pieces to the show.

I want to give a special mention to our Art Auction this year, all funds raised will go to support Stephen Fagan and his family’s Emily-Rose Trust, so please give what you can.

A massive thank you to the tireless Animation Dingle team, our dedicated volunteers, our insightful selectors, and everyone who has helped make this festival a reality.

Enjoy OUR festival, make connections, and let’s share some stories!

Maurice Galway Festival Director and Co-founder

Welcome to Animation Dingle 2026 Fourteen years ago Animation Dingle began with a simple idea. Connect colleges with companies and create a bridge between students and the animation industry.

Over time the festival has grown into something much bigger than we first imagined.

Today Animation Dingle brings together artists, studios, storytellers and students from across Ireland and around the world, forming a community that returns to Dingle each year to share ideas, experiences and a passion for animation.

In many ways it has become a tribe. Throughout history tribes have gathered around storytellers, the people who helped make sense of the world and pass imagination from one generation to the next. Animation is simply our modern version of that tradition.

Instead of fires and cave walls we have screens and software. Instead of charcoal and paint we have pixels and code. The instinct remains the same. People coming together to tell stories.

What makes Animation Dingle special is the mix of people who come together here.

Students sit beside industry veterans. Directors share ideas with animators who are just starting out. Conversations that begin in Dingle often turn into real collaborations and relationships.

This year our theme is Connected by Stories, which feels particularly relevant at a time when technology and the tools we use to create animation are evolving so quickly. While the way we make animation continues to change, storytelling remains at the heart of everything we do. Stories connect cultures, connect generations and connect the people who create them with audiences all around the world.

Over the next few days Dingle once again becomes a meeting place for this community of storytellers, a place to learn, share ideas and celebrate the craft of animation.

Welcome to Animation Dingle.

John Rice CEO, JAM Media and Co Founder, Animation Dingle

Festival Locations A

The Dingle Skellig Hotel •

The Main Hub - come here for the Festival Desk, Conference, Awards, Awards Reception, Awards Party, Pitch & A Pint, Sketch Trail, Games Hub and StoryToys Careers & Recruitment Fair.

Toon Boom Room • This is located in the Dingle Skellig Hotel, beside the Conference Room. It will be the Student Networking Room on Thursday and Friday. On Saturday, come here for Q&As, workshops and panels.

Breeches Room • Come here for workshopson Saturday only

B

C

St. James Church • •

Approx 15 minute walk from The Dingle Skellig Hotel Come here for screenings, presentations, Q&As and workshops.

Wave Dingle Theatre

• • •

Approx 20 minute walk from The Dingle Skellig Hotel Come here for screenings of shorts, features and Student Closing Party There are two venues located at Wave Dingle Theatre, the Round Room and the Pirate Ship.

B C

A

Schedule

Thursday 19th Dingle Skellig Hotel 12.30 - Registration Desk Opens 14.00 - Student Networking Room Open (Toon Boom Room) - open 20:30 - Animation Dingle Quiz (Conference Room) - p. 134 Wave Dingle Theatre 14.00 - Meet & Mingle: Student Networking Event - p. 132 15.00 - Irish Students 1 - p. 95 16:15 - International Students: Odd Couples - p. 99 17:30 - My Untold Story: Student Storytelling Event - p. 133 19:45 - International Students: After Dark - p. 100 20.30 - FEATURE: Little Amélie or the Character of Rain - p. 101

Friday 20th Dingle Skellig Hotel 08.00 - Registration/AD Information Desk Open 09.00 - Students Networking Room (Toon Boom Room) - open 09.00 - Welcome John/Maurice 09.20 - YAOTY Winning Presentation by Disney - p. 16 09.30 - Puppets and Pixels: The Magic of Jim Henson & Animation - p. 18 10.15 - Cat in The Hat: Reimagining a Classic - p. 20 11.00 - Coffee Break 11.15 - Bill Plympton, The King of Indie Animation - p. 22 12.00 - I Want to Tell My Story: Creating an Original IP in a Risk-Adverse World - p. 24 13.00 - Break for Lunch 14.00 - Fireside Chat with Karey Kirkpatrick - p. 26 14.45 - Adapting Our Folklore for the Modern Screen - p. 28 15.30 - Women in Animation Panel - p. 30 16.15 - The Big Pitcher - p. 32 17.30 - Pitch & A Pint - p. 37 19.00 - Dingle Distillery Awards Reception - p. 38 20.00 - Animation Dingle RTÉ KIDS Awards - p. 39 22.00 - Animation Dingle Awards Party - p. 54 St. James Church 10.00 - International Professionals: Bluff, Bravado, Loneliness - p. 102 11:15 - International Students: Growing Pains - p. 106 12:30 - Irish Professional Shorts - p. 111 14:15 - Workshop: The Storyteller’s Toolkit: Why Connection Matters? - p. 82 15:30 - Workshop: Brainstorming - The Blank Page - p. 83 17:15 - FEATURE: Plympton’s Toons - p. 124 Wave Dingle Theatre 10.00 - International Students - The Process of Becoming - p. 103 11:00 - International Professionals - Intimate Observations - p. 104 12:15 - International Professionals - Forces Seen & Unseen - p. 108 13:30 - International Students - Meditations on War - p. 114 14:30 - Irish Students 2 - p. 117 15:45 - International Students - Passion/Obsession - p. 120 16:45 - International Professionals - Let’s Get Absurd - p. 122 17:45 - International Professionals - As the Years Pass By - p. 125

Saturday 21st Dingle Skellig Hotel 10.00 - 17.00 StoryToys Careers & Recruitment Fair (Conference Room) - p. 56 10.00 - 17.00 Game Stings (Conference Room) - p. 58 11:00 - 15:00 Confessionals (Conference Room) - p. 60 10.00 - 17.00 Toon Boom Room 12.00 - 14.00 Sketch Trail (Meet in Foyer) - p. 135 St. James Church 10.00 - RTÉ KIDS: The Art of 2 Minutes - p. 62 11.15 - From Manga to Anime: Behind the Adaptation - p. 66 12.30 - Masterclass: Strange Stories with Bill Plympton - p. 85 14:15 - Masterclass: A Happiness of Puppets with Barry Purves - p. 86 Toon Boom Room - Dingle Skellig Hotel 10:00 - Fresh Frontiers in Storytelling - p. 64 11:30 - How Toys Shape Stories - p. 68 12.30 - The Heart of the Pipeline: Creating Teams & Creative Cultures - p. 74 13:15 - Meet Your Music & Audio Team! - p. 76 14:30 - Workshop: The Human Edge: Balancing Craft & Tech in Indie Animation - p. 87 Breeches Room 12:30 - Workshop: Directing the Voice Actor, Animating the Intention - p. 84 13:45 - Workshop: Dream it, Write it, Pitch It - p. 88 The Pirate Ship - Wave Dingle Theatre 11.15 - Peter Lord: Shape-Shifting for 50 years in Clay - p. 70 12.30 - In Conversation: Suzanne Kelly - p. 75 14:00 - Jill Beecher: From Concept to Screen - p. 77 15:00 - John Kelly (Retirement Plan) 365 Days from Dingle to the Oscars and back! - p. 81 Round Room - Wave Dingle Theatre 10:30 - Miyu Distribution Showcase: Survival of the Fittest - p. 126 11:30 - NTAA First Credit Film Scheme Production Panel - p. 73 12:45 - Free Family Feature: Wolfwalkers/Na Conríochtaí - p. 127 14:45 - Art as Activism - Gaza in Colour Screening & Q&A - p. 78 16:00 - Art Auction - p. 136 20.30 - ALEA(S) - Student Closing Party - p. 137

Conference Date

Friday 20th Time

9:20 - 9:30 Venue

Dingle Skellig Hotel (Conference Room) Sponsored by

YAOTY Award Sponsored by Disney, Young Animator of the Year (YAOTY) 2025 awards our youngest up-and-coming animation talent.

Open to secondary school students and first year college students from throughout the island of Ireland, the Animation Dingle conference will kick off with a special presentation to this year’s winner, presented by Orion Ross from Disney Branded Television.

Orion Ross

Vice President, International Animation, Disney Branded Television Based in London, Orion develops and produces animated series for Disney’s global platforms in partnership with independent studios and artists around the world. Originals for Disney include Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire, Chip ’n’ Dale: Park Life, The Doomies, Magicampers, and Dragon Striker. Co-productions include PJ Masks, Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir and Messi and the Giants.

Conference Date

Friday 20th Time

9:30 - 10:15 Venue

Dingle Skellig Hotel (Conference Room) Sponsored by

Puppets and Pixels: The Magic of Jim Henson & Animation As a pioneer in puppetry, Jim Henson believed great storytelling starts with performance, movement, and a whole lot of heart.

In this fun filled conversation, Bryan O’Connell, VP of Children’s Television, and Tara Billik, VP of Feature Films at The Jim Henson Company, follow the company’s adventurous journey with animation — from scrappy mixed-media experiments to bold animated series and feature films. At The Jim Henson Company, animation isn’t just a medium, it’s a way of thinking (and playing), one that still fuels the studio’s creative spirit and keeps the joyful art of “pretending” alive for new generations of storytellers.

Bryan O’Connell Vice President of Children’s Television, The Jim Henson Company Bryan O’Connell is Vice President of Children’s Television, where he oversees The Jim Henson Company’s slate of animated and live-action children’s content, including the new Amazon Kids+ series Jim Henson’s Monster Dance. Previously, Bryan spent 10 years at The Walt Disney Company, where he most recently served as Director of Development at Disney Jr. overseeing the creative development of multiple shows, shorts, and specials.

Tara Billik Vice President of Feature Films, The Jim Henson Company Tara Billik is Vice President of Feature Films at The Jim Henson Company, overseeing a slate of fantasy, sci-fi, animated, and family film projects. She has over 15 years of experience in creative development and hands-on-producing across genres. Prior to joining Henson, Tara held executive roles at Gunpowder and Sky and Oscar winner Graham King’s GK Films. She began her career working under the legendary Wes Craven.

Conference Date

Friday 20th Time

10:15 - 11:00 Venue

Dingle Skellig Hotel (Conference Room) Sponsored by

Cat in The Hat: Reimagining a Classic Join DFX Supervisor, Jean-Francois Leroux, as he shares how the talented team at DNEG Animation brought this beloved Dr. Seuss story to life. In this behindthe-scenes talk on The Cat in the Hat, Jean-Francois walks through the creative and technical animation journey from brief to final frame.

Come along and get a sneak peek at some of the shows early concepts and how the team balanced reverence with re-imagination - and translated Cat in The Hat’s legacy into a contemporary animated feature. Don’t miss it!

Jean-Francois Leroux DFX Supervisor, DNEG Animation Jean-François Leroux is a DFX Supervisor at DNEG Animation and former Head of 2D, contributing to acclaimed features including Nimona, Under the Boardwalk, The Garfield Movie, and Ron’s Gone Wrong. With over 20 years in VFX, he has worked on award-winning films such as Inception, Interstellar, and Harry Potter, earning a 2019 VES nomination for Altered Carbon.

Conference Date

Friday 20th Time

11:15 - 12:00 Venue

Dingle Skellig Hotel (Conference Room)

Bill Plymton, “The King of Indie Animation” This is a rare and extraordinary opportunity to learn from the legendary Bill Plympton, the “King of Indie Animation.” Known for his instantly recognisable, hand-drawn style and fiercely independent spirit, Bill has twice been nominated for an Academy Award (Your Face, Guard Dog) and is the only person to have single-handedly drawn an entire animated feature film.

Cole Delaney - Host Video Producer - Cartoon Brew Cole Delaney is the Video Producer for Cartoon Brew, hosting interviews with some of the most influential figures in the animation industry. He is also the host of Animator’s Breakfast, a unique animation podcast that talks to creatives, at all levels, about what inspires them.

Bill Plympton Director, Producer, Animator Bill is an NYC Animator born in Oregon, “The King of Indie Animation” has hand-drawn 9 Feature Length and over 100 Short Films by himself. He’s two-time Oscar-Nominated, earned various awards, including Cannes Prix du Jury. His films have been featured on MTV, Cartoon Network, and holds the record for the most Couch Gags openings on The Simpsons.”

Conference Date

Friday 20th Time

12:00 - 13:00 Venue

Dingle Skellig Hotel (Conference Room)

I Want to Tell My Story: Creating an Original IP in a Risk-Adverse World In a landscape where streamers are hedging their bets on proven franchises and reboots, where does the emerging creator fit in?

This panel brings together industry heavyweights to demystify Intellectual Property. We’ll discuss what IP really means, analyze what audiences are actually watching today, why we go back to proven IP and reveal how new voices can convince big platforms to take a bet on an original idea.

Dylan Haskins - Host Commissioner, Podcasts - BBC Sounds Dylan’s commissions have covered all genres with factual highlights including investigative series Stalked, Cover: Where Is George Gibney?, Stakeknife, I’m Not A Monster and Have You Heard George’s Podcast? – the first ever podcast outside of the US to win a Peabody Award; audio drama People Who Knew Me starring Rosamund Pike and Hugh Laurie; and entertainment hits like Miss Me? with Lily Allen & Miquita Oliver.

Max Minor Supervising Producer, Green Street Pictures Max Minor is the Supervising Producer at Green Street Pictures in Pasadena, California. There, he’s produced Common Side Effects for Adult Swim. Max supervises the functionality and liquidity of many project pipelines at once. His favorite thing about animation is the collaborative process between the creative, art and production departments - the beautiful mix of science and magic that makes working in animation so special.

Karen Davidsen Producer / Production Consultant Karen Davidsen is a multi-award-winning Producer who has worked on 1000’s of hours of quality children’s TV Series including BOB THE BUILDER, PINGU, ANGELINA BALLERINA, THOMAS and most recently PADDINGTON. She has held Director of Production roles at HIT Entertainment and Walt Disney, as well as working for Channel 4, Studio Canal and Netflix.

Tanya Green SVP Development & Current Series, Mainframe Studios Two-time Emmy Award winning producer, Tanya Green, has been working in the animated arena for 15+ years. In that time, she has overseen and managed many projects from development to final delivery. In her current role as SVP Development and Current Series for Mainframe Studios, she develops and produces content for the young and young at heart audiences.

Andrea Griffith VP Content and Development, Sphere Media Andrea Griffith is a creative executive with over twenty-five years production and development experience. At Sphere, Andrea leads the Kids and Family development strategy and is responsible for the execution of an exciting scripted, unscripted, and animation slate for the global marketplace.

Philippe Alessandri Founder & CEO, Watch Next Media Philippe founded Watch Next Media in 2015. Formerly the CEO of Zodiak France, he has been the Chairman of Animation in Europe, the Federation of E.U. Animation Producers Associations,, since 2016. He has worked on numerous animated projects over his 30 year career.

Conference Date

Friday 20th Time

14:00 - 14:45 Venue

Dingle Skellig Hotel (Conference Room)

Fireside Chat with Karey Kirkpatrick Karey Kirkpatrick began his career at Disney Animation where he penned The Rescuers Down Under and James and the Giant Peach. He then went on to write a string of iconic hits including Chicken Run, Charlotte’s Web, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, The Spiderwick Chronicles and Over the Hedge, which he also codirected. He also wrote the English-language screenplays for Studio Ghibli’s The Secret World of Arietty and From Up On Poppy Hill.

In this talk, Karey will chat writing, career highlights and what it takes to make a good story.

Jean Kitson - Host Agent Jean Kitson is the head of Kitson Press Associates, representing writers and creatives across drama and kids media. The kid’s division, Kitson Press kids + family, is a leading agency for international kids media talent, from IP creators, directors and writers to new and diverse talent making their first steps in the industry.

Karey Kirkpatrick Writer/Director Karey is a writer and director whose credits include The Rescuers Down Under, James and the Giant Peach, Chicken Run, Chicken Run 2: Dawn of the Nugget, Charlotte’s Web, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, The Spiderwick Chronicles and Over the Hedge, which he also co-directed. He directed Imagine That, starring Eddie Murphy, and the animated musical SMALLFOOT for which he also co-wrote the screenplay and the songs. He’s co-written book, music and lyrics to two globally successfully Broadway musicals – Something Rotten! (10 Tony nominations) and Mrs. Doubtfire and has most recently written the new Peanuts feature film for Apple TV.

Conference Date

Friday 20th Time

14:45 - 15:30 Venue

Dingle Skellig Hotel (Conference Room) Sponsored by

Adapting Our Folklore for the Modern Screen Supported by Sound & Vision, this panel will examine the creative challenge of taking ancient Irish tales and transforming them into innovative and compelling screen projects. The discussion will focus on the balancing act of adapting our folklore faithfully while simultaneously expanding and modernising it to resonate with diverse audiences of all ages and cultures.

The panel is set to feature the creative minds behind some of Ireland’s most acclaimed folklore-inspired animated projects.

Cole Delaney - Host Video Producer - Cartoon Brew Cole Delaney is the Video Producer for Cartoon Brew, hosting interviews with some of the most influential figures in the animation industry. He is also the host of Animator’s Breakfast, a unique animation podcast that talks to creatives, at all levels, about what inspires them.

Tomm Moore Co-founder and Creative Director of Cartoon Saloon Tomm has worked as Director, Art Director, Storyboarder, Animator and Illustrator across a range of Cartoon Saloon’s projects . He is a 3-time Academy Award® nominee, nominated for The Secret of Kells (2010), Song of the Sea (2015) and his latest feature film Wolfwalkers (2020), co-directed with Ross Stewart. Wolfwalkers received several prominent critics awards including LAFCA Award and NYFCC Award as well as Golden Globe and BAFTA nominations and wins in several categories at the 2021 Annie Awards.

Trevor Courtney Director, Producer and Creator, Igloo Animations Trevor Courtney is a Dublin-born filmmaker and award-winning creator with a strong track record in television and animation. He has created, produced, and directed three acclaimed TV series: Fantasy Ireland, Tales from Dún Draíochta, and Holt. A two-time Irish Animation Award winner, Trevor received honours for Best Series and Best Script in 2023. His award-winning short films have earned critical acclaim both nationally and internationally, and he is also a Kidscreen Award nominee, further cementing his reputation as a standout creative voice in the industry.

Gráinne McGuinness Creative Director, Paper Owl Films Gráinne is a multi award-winning creator and director. Her standout stories for young children encourage audiences to see the world in different ways. A co-founder and Creative Director of Paper Owl Films, Gráinne leads the company’s development of ambitious content for international audiences.

Vanessa Robinson Co-Founder & Showrunner, Little Moon Animation Vanessa Robinson is Co-Founder of Dublin-based Little Moon Animation, an award-winning studio blending cutting-edge technology with heartfelt storytelling. Creator of the hit preschool series Fia’s Fairies, she leads a growing slate of original, cross-platform kids’ IP spanning television, games and digital content for global family audiences worldwide.

Conference Date

Friday 20th Time

15:30 - 16:15 Venue

Dingle Skellig Hotel (Conference Room) Sponsored by

Women in Animation Panel Animation Dingle’s Women in Animation Panel returns for its 7th edition.

Offering an opportunity to discuss the role of women within the animation, this insightful panel promises to explore a diverse range of experiences from within the industry.

Eleanor Coleman - Host Executive Producer, Blue Spirit Creative Eleanor Coleman is a Paris based American who has worked for over 25 years in the European animation community. She works independently in animated feature film acquisitions and development with Indie Sales, where she has built an innovative prestigious lineup including the Oscar nominated film My Life as A Zucchini by Claude Barras. Her animated television work concentrates on international business development for the award-winning studio, Blue Spirit.

Her clients at Blue Spirit include Netflix Adult Animation, Blue Eye Samurai, WBA Gremlins the Secrets of Mogwai, Marvel CU What If?. Eleanor is a founding member and co-vice president of the French association Les Femmes s’Animent dedicated to gender parity and conscious content production.

Brooke Keesling Animation Talent Recruiting & Development Brooke Keesling is currently scouting animation talent for Chronicle Studios. She has worked in the animation and VFX industry for decades as a filmmaker, in recruiting, development, and in education. Prior to joining Chronicle, Brooke recruited animation talent for Cartoon Network, Disney, and Warner Bros., and Bento Box Entertainment.

Dee Stevens Development Producer at Tiger Aspect Kids & Family Dee Stevens is Development Producer at Tiger Aspect Kids & Family, with a background in publishing and media. They have worked with Brown Bag Films, Penguin Random House Children’s Books, Scholastic and co-founded the award-winning publisher Knights Of and bookstore Round Table Books.

Alizée Musson Writer & Story Editor Alizée is a writer and story editor who recently published “The Art of Writing Animation” for publisher Creative Essentials. She began her career in script development through various freelance roles with companies such as Entertainment One, Amazon Studios, Ubisoft, and Walt Disney. Alizée also mentors writers through international development programs and previously worked with Screen Yorkshire and Screen Ireland.

Sarah Benson Filmmaker Since graduating from IADT with her first short film ‘Tenant’, Sarah has worked as a designer and animator for companies across Ireland, Finland and the UK. She directed her first professional short ‘Hermit’ through the Frameworks scheme and more recently was supported by the National Talent Academy of Animation to direct ‘Boglach’ - a short that represented Irish animation at the Osaka World Expo 2025 in Japan. Last year she completed a residency at the Open Workshop in Denmark where she began early development on her next short film and later began her masters degree in Paris where she is now based.

Conference Date

Friday 20th Time

16:15 - 17:30 Venue

Dingle Skellig Hotel (Conference Room) Sponsored by

The Big Pitcher Do you have what it takes to pitch to a live audience?

The Big Pitcher is back with six brand new hopefuls, all ready to get on stage and pitch to the crowd and a panel of experts.

The winner of The Big Pitcher will receive a three month internship with JAM Media and the opportunity to pitch their idea at Cartoon Springboard 2026.

Estrella Vázquez Cabeza

Spain Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV)

Amalthea’s Children (ENG)

A unicorn with no horn and a pegasus unable to fly embark on a journey toward self-acceptance.

Gray Lawless

ATU- Galway(present), IADT(graduate 2025)

Stray Street

Where every family is purr-fect as they are!

Bobby Kelly

Institute of Art, Design and Technology

Good Morning, Gloomington!

The happy adventures of a brother and sister on their mission to turn the most miserable town in the world into a place full of smiles. With their can do attitude and cheery demeanour, nothing is going to stop the local do-gooders of Gloomington.

Caoimhe O’Brien

Ballyfermot College of Further Education

Mighty Knighticorn

A lazy unicorn knight is thrust into a fantastical adventure to find out who cut off his horn, in a world filled with mythical and extinct animals.

Darragh O’Connor

Ballyfermot College of Further Education

Patchy-saurus

When the family hen hatches a pachycephalosaurus in rural Ireland, Conor must quickly learn about and care for the dinosaur resulting in friendship and a most memorable summer.

Maiko Berteska

Technological University of the Shannon

Ghoul Girls Rock!

A group of four unpopular creature girls ploy their days away on getting their garage-band famous by any means necessary, in hopes of gaining popularity and admiration among their peers

Meet The Big Pitcher Judges

Alan Shannon - Host

Sarah Muller

CCO, Jam Media

Head of Commissioning and Acquisitions for 7-12, BBC

Suzanne Kelly

Tyler Martin

Head of Children’s & Young People’s Content RTÉ

Acquisition Executive at ITV

Richard Goldsmith

Kyle Jenkins

Executive Vice President, Kids & Family Sales and Brands Blue Ant Media

Acquisitions & Programme Director Milkshake!, Paramount UK & Ireland

Will Cartwright-Harwood Animated Series, Netflix

DISTILLERY TOURS Visit Ireland’s most westerly distillery.

Taste our award winning whiskey, gin and vodka This guided tour will take you through all aspects of whiskey, gin and vodka production in our independent and artisan distillery.

During the tour, you will get the opportunity to sample our spirits.

Valid ID required upon tour check in.

W W W. D I N G L E D I S T I L L E R Y. I E

Scan the QR and book your tour today

Conference Date

Friday 20th Time

17:30 - 18:30 Venue

Dingle Skellig Hotel (Blaskets Bar)

Pitch & Pint The hugely popular Pitch & A Pint returns. Breaking down the barriers between students and executives, this is a real chance to have quick chats with industry experts one-on-one, pitch your ideas and receive some feedback. Ready to get started? Join the queue!

9 Story Aardman Animations Boulder Media Brown Bag Films CBBC/Cbeebies Cartoon Saloon D11 Stories DNEG Animation Disney Dream Games Animation Elk Studios Green Street Pictures Igloo Animations Jam Media Kavaleer Kitson Press Little Moon Animation Mainframe Studios Mattel

Media Wan Milkshake! Channel 5 Monster Entertainment Netflix Nickelodeon Paper Owl Films RTÉ KIDS Sixteen South Sphere Media StoryToys Studio Meala The Jim Henson Company TG4 Turnip + Duck TVOkids Watch Next Media Warner Bros

Awards Date

Friday 20th Time

19.00 - 20.00 Venue

The Coastguard Restaurant Sponsored by

Dingle Distillery Awards Reception Before taking your seat for the Big Event, join us for a complimentary drink or two. Dingle Distillery is a great friend to Animation Dingle and we are always grateful that they support us so completely. So join us at our Pre Awards Dingle Distillery Reception for your complimentary Dingle Distillery drink of choice…or 2…G&T… Dingle Donkey…Cheers!

Here’s to you, to us, to OUR Festival and to these being the Good Days!

Awards Date

Friday 20th Time

20:00 - 22:00 Venue

Dingle Skellig Hotel (Conference Room) Sponsored by

RTÉ KIDS Animation Dingle Awards We are delighted that RTÉ KIDS continues as our title sponsor for The Animation Dingle Awards.

After receiving record-breaking number of entries, a whopping 108 short films are screening in competition this year.

Animation Dingle is an Academy Awards® qualifying festival.

The recipient of Animation Dingle’s Best Irish Professional Short Award is eligible for consideration in the Animation Short Film category of the Academy Awards®. Student films selected in competition are eligible to be considered for the Student Academy Awards®.

Without further ado… here are our nominees!

Sponsored by

Awards Hosted by Sharon Mannion Comedian Sharon Mannion is an Irish comedian and writer best known for her role as ‘Concepta’ in the RTE2/UKTV hit comedy, ‘Bridget & Eamon’.

She is resident host of The Comedy Cellar at the International Bar, the longest running comedy club in Ireland and is currently touring the country with her solo show JUKEBOX DONKEY

Nominees Best Irish Student Award Anam

// Ailbhe Fearon, Muireann Mulvihill // IADT

Assimilation

// Piotr Chodup, Iris Aghedo // TUS

Landfall

// Áine Morris // LSAD

My Marigolds!

// Holly Emerson-Byrne // IADT

Best Irish Professional Award Boglach

REM

// Laura Masterson // IADT Sponsored by

// Sarah Benson

Jesus And The King Of Rock And Roll // Domhnall Cotter

Meteoric

// Paul Ó Muiris

The Cloud Herder // Aidan McAteer

Cineál Fiáin

// John McDaid

Awards

Best International Student Award A Sparrow’s Song

// Tobias Eckerlin // Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg // Germany

Gaïa

// Gwenola Heck // Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg // Germany

Line 12

// Sarah Schulz, Christopher Schmier // Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg // Germany

When The Tide Comes

// Fêt-Nat Bailly // National Film and Television School // UK

Tumbleweed

// Johanna Bouaoiche, Louis Creuzet, Marie Hareaux, Wilson Hinh, Arthus Mariet, Masha Moran // Gobelins // France Sponsored by

Best International Professional Award My game

// David Navarro Bravo // Spain

Paper Daughter

// Cami Kwan // USA

The Gnawer of Rocks

// Louise Flaherty // Canada

Yearn

// Ben Smith // USA

You Play Too Much // Rob Shaw // USA Sponsored by

Awards Best Director Award A Sparrow’s Song

// Tobias Eckerlin // Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg // Germany

JUDY1964

// Marie-Hélène Van Thuyne // Royal Institute for Theatre, Cinema and Sound // Belgium

Line 12

// Sarah Schulz, Christopher Schmier // Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg // Germany

REM

// Laura Masterson // IADT // Ireland

Skin Flick

// Louise Bailly, Daniela Del Castello, Alice Levy, Bruno De Mendonça, Elifsu Meriç, Joey Quoc Tran // Gobelins // France Sponsored by

Best Irish Language Award Gradam do Bheochan i nGaeilge Cineál Fiáin

// John McDaid

Anam

// Ailbhe Fearon, Muireann Mulvihill // IADT

Sponsored by

Best Animation Award

Anam

// Ailbhe Fearon, Muireann Mulvihill // IADT

Assimilation

// Piotr Chodup, Iris Aghedo // TUS

Landfall

// Áine Morris // LSAD

My Marigolds!

// Holly Emerson-Byrne // IADT

REM

// Laura Masterson // IADT Sponsored by

Awards

Best Original Score Award Anam

// Ailbhe Fearon, Muireann Mulvihill // IADT

Landfall

// Áine Morris // LSAD

Lipstick

// Éilis O’Neill // IADT

REM

// Laura Masterson // IADT

Vuela

// Florangela Condori // LSAD Sponsored by

Best Writing Award Anam

// Ailbhe Fearon, Muireann Mulvihill // IADT

Handprints

// Naoise Walsh // ATU

Landfall

// Áine Morris // LSAD

REM

// Laura Masterson // IADT

Waiting Room

// Amber Amelia Kelly // IADT Sponsored by

Awards Best Sound Design Award Anam

// Ailbhe Fearon, Muireann Mulvihill // IADT

Landfall

// Áine Morris // LSAD

Lipstick

// Éilis O’Neill // IADT

REM

// Laura Masterson // IADT

The Volunteer

// Charlie Beimers // Sullivan Upper School Sponsored by

Best Design & Art Direction Award Anam

// Ailbhe Fearon, Muireann Mulvihill // IADT

Assimilation

// Piotr Chodup, Iris Aghedo // TUS

Landfall

// Áine Morris // LSAD

REM

// Laura Masterson // IADT

Vuela

// Florangela Condori // LSAD Sponsored by

Best Cinematography Award Anam

// Ailbhe Fearon, Muireann Mulvihill // IADT

Assimilation

// Piotr Chodup, Iris Aghedo // TUS

Landfall

// Áine Morris // LSAD

REM

// Laura Masterson // IADT

The Cat Burglar

// Saoirse Kelly // BCFE

Best 2D Award Anam

// Ailbhe Fearon, Muireann Mulvihill // IADT

Assimilation

// Piotr Chodup, Iris Aghedo // TUS

Landfall

// Áine Morris // LSAD

My Marigolds!

// Holly Emerson-Byrne // IADT

The Cat Burglar

// Saoirse Kelly // BCFE

Voice of Fire

// Naomi Golanowski // MTU & Algonquin College Sponsored by

Awards

Awards

Best 3D/CGI Award A Sparrow’s Song

// Tobias Eckerlin // Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg // Germany

La fille du Lac

// Louise Bacou, Mathieu Leguay, Ludivine Miermont, Elisa Martin, Marion Fuchs, Achille Houplain, Olessia Fedko, Luna Schwertz // ENSI // France

L’OMBRE DU KIVU

// Paul Beaumond, Maëlle Durin, Benjamin Garandel, Charlotte Occhio, Mathilde Piscione, Blandine Rebourg, Timothée Rousseau, Victor Verger, Maicheng Wang // ESMA // France

The Fall

// Maxime Tevissen, Tom Alcamo, Hugo Hannache, Dylan Cam, Alexandre Velves, Titouan Kervajan, Yaëlle Alberti // ENSI // France

The Nest

// Aurélien Coquery, Léa Kermanach, Soline Mauguin, Abel Tixador, Jean Baounon, Romane Selter-Fiette // Supinfocom Rubika // France Sponsored by

Best Stop Motion Award Death’s Peak

// Willy Fair // National Film & Television School // UK

Freshwater

// Olivia Wilyman // OCAD University // Canada

Gaïa

// Gwenola Heck // Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg // Germany

REM

// Laura Masterson // IADT // Ireland

Warp and Weft

// Isolda Milenkovic // UAL Central Saint Martins // UK Sponsored by

Awards Best Game Sting Award A Silent Hero

// Elisabeth Sykorova // SETU

Sponsored by

Eternity’s End

// Sean Deans Holland // BCFE

Phiast’s Big Adventure

// Theodore Goodwin // BCFE

An Phiast in... Fishy Business // Riona Kelly // SETU

An Phiast Untold Story // Mikey Holmes // SETU

Best Sting Award An Phiast en Vogue

// Hugo Whelan // ATU

An Phiastroid

// Malissa Lombardo // MTU

Dingmuta Triangle // Adam Grier // ATU

The Puppet Show

// Hannah Collins // MTU

That One Time An-Phiast Fell Through Reality // Padraig Whyte // BCFE

When the Sea Learned to Skate // Jade Gray // ATU

Sponsored by

Awards

Meet the Judges

Eimear O’Mahony

Suzanne Kelly

Executive Producer, Children’s & Young People’s Programming, RTÉ

Head of Children’s & Young People’s Content, RTÉ

Louise Bucknole

Louise Burgess

VP Kids ViacomCBS UK & Ireland (Nick Network & Milkshake! C5)

Acquisitions and Programme Director, Milkshake!, Channel 5, Paramount UK & Ireland.

Kyle Jenkins

Gillian Comerford

Acquisitions & Programme Director, Commissioning Executive, Milkshake! Channel 5, Paramount UK & Ireland.

Creative Director, Boulder Media

Colm Tyrrell

Colm Tobin

Head of Studio Production, Boulder Media

Managing Director, Turnip + Duck

Awards

Aidan O’Donovan

Peter Lord

Creative Director, Turnip + Duck

Creative Director,Aardman Animations

Alan Shannon

Mark Gordon

CCO Chief Creative Officer & Co-founder, JAM Media

Composer, Score Draw Music

Louise Bagnall

Fran Alberigi

Director, Cartoon Saloon

Manager, Production & Development Global (Kids & Family) Paramount International

Jean-Francois Leroux DFX Supervisor, DNEG

Amy Fitzgerald Composer

Awards

Jean Kitson

Karey Kirkpatrick

Lena Byrne

Chris Dicker

Founder & Story Consultant

Creator

Colum Slevin

Emmet O’Neill

Agent, Kitson Press

Chief Product Officer, StoryToys

Writer & Director

CEO - StoryToys

Awards

Francesca Saunders

Guy Phenix

Producer, StoryToys

Commissioning & Acquisitions BBC

Dara McGarry

Lís Ní Dhálaigh

Director of Outreach, DNEG

Director of Marketing, Development & Partnerships, TG4

Karina Feirtear

Channel Manager, Cúla4/TG4

Awards

Murakami Award

photo provided by Sean Breithaupt & Yvette Monahan

村上輝明 Jimmy T. Murakami (1933-2014) inaugural Recipient 2013, was one of the founding fathers of Irish animation. He was a key figure in the establishment of the thriving Irish animation industry that we know today. The Murakami Award honours his legacy and continues to celebrate those who contribute to the Irish Animation scene.

This year’s recepient is Suzanne Kelly, Head of Children’s & Young People’s Content RTÉ.

Sponsored by

Awards

Suzanne Kelly Head of Children’s & Young People’s Content RTÉ Suzanne Kelly has headed up the RTÉ Children’s division since 2018 with responsibility for all content commissioned and created across RTÉ’s video, audio and digital platforms for kids. Content is divided as follows; RTÉ KIDS our master brand, specifically targeting the 7+ audience, & RTE KIDSjr, our preschool channel for 0-6 years.

Suzanne & her dedicated team work hand in hand with producers from across the Live action, Animation & Audio sectors to deliver stand out moments for TV audio & online; recent commissions include, scripted drama series’ The Unreal, Showkids, Bellie & Whizz Minding Me, Beddybyes, & Maddie + Triggs. Prior to joining RTÉ, Suzanne worked as an independent Producer/Director, creating & developing programme formats, script writing and producing & directing in studio and on location for linear and digital platforms.

Party Date

Friday 20th Time

22:00 - Late Venue

Dingle Skellig Hotel (Conference Room)

Animation Dingle Awards Afterparty So, you or someone you know has won an Award at Animation Dingle…what do you do next? Parties only kick off when everyone gets on the floor, so once the chairs from the Awards have been pulled back, the dance floor will be revealed!

Be sure to finish off the night with our annual Awards After-Party!

Stick around the hotel for music, dancing and fun as we celebrate this year’s winners.

ROCK ON!

We Love Animation

®

Brown Bag Films are proud sponsors of The Murakami Award at this year’s Animation Dingle.

www.brownbagfilms.com

Careers & Recruitment Fair Date

Saturday 21st Time

10:00-17:00 Venue

Dingle Skellig Hotel (Conference Room) Sponsored by

StoryToys Careers & Recruitment Fair The StoryToys Careers & Recruitment Fair allows you to interact directly with studios and make direct enquiries in relation to jobs and vacancies. If the studio you are interested in is busy, you are encouraged to wait.

This space is a hub for students to interact and chat, so please relax and enjoy the fair!

Zone 1: Jam Media Zone 2: Campus France Zone 3: Kerry College Zone 4: Boulder Media Zone 5 - StoryToys Zone 6 - WACOM Zone 7 - Animation Ireland The National Talent Academy for Animation Zone 8: BCFE/Games/VR Zone 9: Pulse College Zone 10: Book Signing Zone 11: Confessional

Careers & Recruitment Fair Date

Saturday 21st Time

10:00-17:00 Venue

Dingle Skellig Hotel (Conference Room)

Game Stings Visit the StoryToys Careers & Recruitment Fair on Saturday 21st to play all of this year’s entered Game Stings.

You can also check them out early by clicking here: https://itch.io/c/7037962/animation-dingle-game-sting-competition-2026

A Silent Hero Elisabeth Sykorova / SETU A Silent Hero is a narrative-driven, fable-themed side-scroller. You play as the silent Little Lamb, living in a quaint town on Ireland’s southwestern coast, until one day when you are chosen to slay the monster An Phiast.

An Phiast in... Fishy Business Riona Kelly / SETU An amnesiac An Phiast must try to solve the mystery of who stole The Perfect Fish and Chips. Meet a cast of colorful characters and gather evidence to find the culprit.

Phiast’s Big Adventure Theodore Goodwin An exciting story of a friendly, monster named Phiast as he journeys through the magical land of Dingle. With only his bravery and trusty backpack, Phiast must do whatever it takes to rescue his beloved sheep friends from St. Cuan’s capture.

Eternity’s End Sean Deans Holland / BCFE In 1847, the once mighty but now blind, An Phiast, enlists the help of his archrival, Saint Cuan (or his skull at least). They join forces in this puzzleplatformer on a quest of self-discovery and forgiveness.

An Phiast Untold Story Mikey Holmes / SETU Players must escape a mysterious cave, exploring underground environments without knowing what lies ahead.

An Phiast, An Spiaire Caoimhe O’Brien / SETU In this game you will play as An Phiast as you complete your secret mission! Are you up for an adventure into the sunny seaside town of Dingle?

An Phiast: The disappearance of Fungi Naoise Ryan / SETU A 2.5D Action platformer where you control An Phiast and navigate dangerous areas, battle enemies and find collectables.

An Phiast’s Colourful Adventure Kacie Franklin / SETU An Phiast learns that since he was defeated, all the colour has drained from the surface. Through his own creativity and three magic hats, the monster that once destroyed the town is now the only one that can save it.

Dul ó dheas Sean Browne / BCFE Dul ó Dheas is a underwater platformer inspired by getting over it. The player must traverse the lake to reach the bottom, using their magical hands to pull them against the floating force of the pot stuck on the players head.

Confessionals Date

Saturday 21st Time

11:00 - 15:00 Venue

Dingle Skellig Hotel (Conference Room)

Confessionals Do you suffer from Imposter Syndrome… Experience WRA? (Writer’s Room Anxiety). Well join the club!

During the StoryToys Careers & Recruitment Fair, a rotating group of industry professionals will be on hand to offer tools and tricks to help wrinkle out your amazing feature, series or short and pitch it to the world.

Don’t be shy. Come up and say hello!

Find a pew and confess your idea to one of our friendly festival guests: • Alizée Musson, The Art of Writing for Animation • Andrea Griffith, VP Content and Development, Sphere Media • Brooke Kreesling, Animation Talent Recruiting & Development • Chris Dicker, Artist and Creator • Courtney Arumugam, Head of Development/Executive Producer, Blink Industries • Dara McGarry, Head of Outreach, DNEG Animation • Dave Ingham, Writer • Emily Paige, Co-Fondatrice, Directrice Générale, E.D Films • Jean Kitson, Head of Kitson Press Associates • Jo Allen, Commissioning Editor for Animation 7+ BBC • Katie Davies, Writer, Story & Script Consultant for Film & Television

FIND THE COURSE THAT FITS YOU

BUILDING FUTURES

FULL TIME PART TIME APPRENTICESHIPS PATHWAYS TERTIARY PROGRAMMES #EUinMyRegion

Co-funded by the government of Ireland and the European Union.

WWW.KERRYCOLLEGE.IE

Panels & Chats Date

Saturday 21st Time

10:00 -11:00 Venue

St James’ Church Sponsored by

RTÉ KIDS: The Art of 2 Minutes This screening and panel discussion, will explore what makes a good 2 minute short, shown through the lens of the RTÉ KIDS Sparks series.

From direction, to writing, to music, these all need work in perfect harmony to make the perfect 2 minute film. It can feel a lifetime or it can feel like the perfect piece of art. This panel of experts will tell us just how they do it!

Eimear O’Mahony - Host Executive Producer, RTÉ KIDS Eimear O’Mahony has worked in RTÉ in Ireland for more than 20 years. Over that time, she has worked in Sport, Current Affairs, Irish Language Programmes and Entertainment. She has produced & directed documentaries, entertainment shows and live events. She was producer on the Late Late Toy Show, the annual ratings blockbuster in Ireland, in 2018. She began commissioning in Young Peoples Programmes in 2019. She has overseen all RTÉjr’s animated shorts anthology series since then aswell as numerous live action and animation series. Eimear founded and runs The RTÉ Women’s Network.

Lena Byrne Founder & Story Consultant Lena is the founder of D11 Stories and producer of the award-winning short ‘No Worries!’ With 25-years industry experience as a script consultant, Lena was Script Producer on TV series for Amazon Studios, CBBC, CBeebies, Nickelodeon & RTÉ. She is a mentor for Screen Ireland, the NTAA & MCM, a board member for Fresh Film and a company director for Pikkukala Ireland.

Chris Dicker Creator

Chris Dicker is a creator, writer, and artist working across film, television, and digital platforms. He is producing his original CG theatrical feature, based on a story he created and wrote, currently in production with Spin Master. He is also collaborating with the New York Toy Fair Collectible of the Year–winning Deddy Bears and developing the original digital series The Powers, slated for production in 2026, as well as the Screen Ireland supported hybrid feature film Locker.

Vanessa Robinson Co-Founder & Showrunner, Little Moon Animation Vanessa Robinson is Co-Founder of Dublin-based Little Moon Animation, an award-winning studio blending cutting-edge technology with heartfelt storytelling. Creator of the hit preschool series Fia’s Fairies, she leads a growing slate of original, cross-platform kids’ IP spanning television, games and digital content for global family audiences worldwide.

Colm Tyrrell Head of Studio Production, Boulder Media Colm is an Emmy, BAFTA, PGA, and IFTA-nominated producer at Boulder Media, known for his leadership and dedication to bringing creative projects from script to screen.

With extensive experience in overseeing the production of popular animated series enjoyed by audiences worldwide, Colm is deeply involved in all aspects of studio production and leads the development of Boulder’s original IP slate.

He also serves on the board of Animation Ireland.

Panels & Chats Date

Saturday 21st Time

10:00-10:45 Venue

Dingle Skellig Hotel (Toon Boom Room)

Fresh Frontiers in Storytelling The way stories reach audiences is changing faster than ever – from online platforms and apps to grassroots community models.

This panel brings together innovators who are rewriting the rules of distribution, finding new ways to get their stories into the world. Together, they’ll explore how creative entrepreneurs are bypassing traditional gatekeepers, harnessing new platforms, and building communities to share their stories globally.

Emily Horgan - Host Streaming and YouTube Specialist Emily Horgan is an independent media consultant and former Disney executive specializing in streaming and YouTube. She works with global clients on the strategic development of kids’ IP, distribution analysis, brand marketing, and franchise management. Her research on Netflix’s kids strategy led to the creation of the Netflix Kids Content Performance Report, used by major streamers, toy companies, and producers. Emily also writes the Substack newsletter The Kids StreamerSphere and co-hosts the Kids Media Club Podcast.

Emmet O’Neill CEO - StoryToys Emmet is CEO of StoryToys, a multi-award-winning developer and publisher of apps and games for children. StoryToys creates digital experiences in partnership with many of the world’s leading children’s brands, including The LEGO Group, The Walt Disney Company, BBC Studios, Paramount, Sesame Workshop and Netflix. Emmet has 25+ years in product design and leading creative content-focused teams.

Dáire Bohan CEO and Founder, Bura Games Dáire Bohan is the Founder and CEO of Bura Games, one of the top development studios on Roblox. Building on the platform since 2012, he has accumulated over 1.7 billion play sessions across titles including Anime Fighters Simulator, Pet Heroes, and Wizard Simulator.

Daniel Chis Daniel has been a devoted gamer and creator since the age of 8. Today, he leads a team which creates games on Roblox. His games have been played over a billion times, and have gathered an audience of over 30 million monthly active users.

Panels & Chats Date

Saturday 21st Time

11:15-12:15 Venue

St. James Church

From Manga to Anime: Behind the Adaptation Keiichiro Saito (Director) and Takafumi Nakame (Producer), known for Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Season 1, explore how manga is transformed into anime.

Learn how directors and producers interpret story, pacing, and visuals to bring a manga to life, and how Japan’s unique production system supports the process. Saito will also share insights from directing Bocchi the Rock!, showing how different manga inspire different creative approaches.

Gain a rare glimpse behind the scenes from two leading next-generation creators in the anime industry.

Global Anime Challenge Global Anime Challenge is a three-year program funded

by Agency for Cultural Affairs. Its purpose is to nurture the Japanese anime industry’s next generation of the creatives by supporting talented young animators, producers, and directors in experiencing internships at world-class studios outside of Japan.

Keiichiro Saito After graduating from Kyoto Seika University in 2016, Saito-san worked on various projects as a key animator, storyboard artist, episode director, character designer, and animation director including OVA ACCA: 13-Territory Inspection Dept. Regards,Bocchi the Rock!, and Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End. He is one of the most anticipated young emerging talents in the Japanese anime industry. His graduation work from Kyoto Seika University won numerous awards including Production I.G. Award in 2016.

Takafumi Nakame Working in animation since 2013. Nakame-san has worked as a line producer on Makoto Shinkai’s The Garden of Words and Your Name, before joining Studio Chizu and working on Mirai and Belle. In Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, Nakamesan teamed with Director Saito-san at Madhouse to show to the world what the young talents in Japan are capable of.

Panels & Chats Date

Saturday 21st Time

11:30 - 12:15 Venue

Dingle Skellig Hotel (Toon Boom Room)

How Toys Shape Stories From action figures to animated blockbusters, the world of toys and the world of storytelling are deeply connected.

In this panel, leading figures from the sector will unpack how intellectual property is created, developed, and expanded across platforms – from toys and games to television, film, and beyond, offering a unique window into the business of creativity: how stories and characters become brands, and how brands inspire new storytelling opportunities.

Emily Horgan - Host Streaming and YouTube Specialist Emily Horgan is an independent media consultant and former Disney executive specializing in streaming and YouTube. She works with global clients on the strategic development of kids’ IP, distribution analysis, brand marketing, and franchise management. Her research on Netflix’s kids strategy led to the creation of the Netflix Kids Content Performance Report, used by major streamers, toy companies, and producers. Emily also writes the Substack newsletter The Kids StreamerSphere and co-hosts the Kids Media Club Podcast.

Chris Dicker Creator Chris Dicker is a creator, writer, and artist working across film, television, and digital platforms.

He is producing his original CG theatrical feature, based on a story he created and wrote, currently in production with Spin Master. He is also collaborating with the New York Toy Fair Collectible of the Year–winning Deddy Bears and developing the original digital series The Powers, slated for production in 2026, as well as the Screen Ireland supported hybrid feature film Locker.

Rob David Senior Vice President, Mattel Studios Animation Rob is a showrunner, executive producer, and creative development leader who crafts captivating kids and family content for industry giants like Netflix, Disney, Nickelodeon, PBS Kids, DC Comics, Dark Horse, and Scholastic. As an Executive Producer and Senior Vice President of Animation for Mattel Studios, Rob oversees animation development, creative and production for Mattel’s entire portfolio of beloved classics such as BARBIE, UNO, MAGIC 8 BALL and PINGU.

Courtney Arumugam Head of Development and Executive Producer Blink Industries Courtney Arumugam serves as Head of Development and Executive Producer, working across the animation development and production slate,. Courtney also manages an exclusive first-look deal with BBC Studios, Kids & Family. Prior to joining Blink, Courtney was an Executive Producer at LEGO. She has also worked at Mattel, Fremantle, Channel 4 and the BBC.

Gavin Lawler Co-Founder of Innov8 Creative Academy / Chief Executive Officer / Director of Sales / Creative Gavin Lawler is a toy innovator and brand builder. As Co-Founder of The Irish Fairy Door Company in 2013, he helped pioneer the worldwide “fairy door” phenomenon. He later founded Innov8 Creative Academy, the company behind globally successful plush collectibles including Deddy Bears, winner of Collectible of the Year at the 2025 Toy of the Year Awards (TOTY).

Panels & Chats Date

Saturday 21st Time

11:15-12:15 Venue

Wave Dingle Theatre (The Pirate Ship)

Peter Lord: Shape-shifting for 50 Years in Clay Peter Lord founded the iconic Aardman Animations with David Sproxton in 1972.

Built on the dream of finally producing an animated feature, Aardman would soon go on to be the home to a cast of iconic claymation characters, including the charming and curious Morph.

A two-time Academy Award nominee, multi-BAFTA nominee and veritable stopmotion legend, this exciting conversation will delve into Peter’s fascinating career, chatting films, stories and most importantly, clay.

Cole Delaney - Host

Peter Lord

Video Producer - Cartoon Brew

Co-founder and Creative Director, Aardman Animation

Cole Delaney is the Video Producer for Cartoon Brew, hosting interviews with some of the most influential figures in the animation industry. He is also the host of Animator’s Breakfast, a unique animation podcast that talks to creatives, at all levels, about what inspires them.

Peter Lord is creative director of Aardman, a British studio which specialises in stop-frame animation. Their work includes everything from pre-school series to feature films. He is best known for the character Morph, and for the feature films Chicken Run and The Pirates! In An Adventure with Scientists.

Panels & Chats Date

Saturday 21st Time

11:30 -12:30 Venue

Wave Dingle Theatre (Round Room)

NTAA First Credit Film Scheme Production Panel The panel, chaired by Deirdre Barry, will feature a selection of participating teams selected for the NTAA First Credit Short Film Scheme 2025.

The participants will discuss their projects and production experiences, as well as the scheme overall.

The First Credit Short Film Scheme is an initiative from the NTA Animation targeted at new and emerging filmmakers, providing them with carefully tailored mentoring, training, and workshops throughout the production, and enabling them to gain their first professional credits as Writers, Directors, or Producers.

Deirdre Barry Programme Director, National Talent Academy for Animation Deirdre Barry is the Programme Director of the National Talent Academy for Animation, an initiative by Screen Ireland, managed by Animation Ireland, providing support and training to Irish-based creative talent. Deirdre has been in the industry for over 25 years. She has produced and executive produced numerous animated series, including Flix, Sir Mouse and Yabba Dabba Dinosaurs.

Panels & Chats Date

Saturday 21st Time

12:30 - 13:15 Venue

Dingle Skellig Hotel (Toon Boom Room) Sponsored by

The Heart of the Pipeline: Creating Teams & Creative Cultures In a special fireside chat hosted by Toon Boom, Emmy-winning producer Nora Keely traces her journey from handcrafted beginnings to leading major large scale animated series. Blending creative insight with calm, people first leadership, Nora reflects on how strong team culture, clear communication, and the right tools come together to create world-class storytelling.

Andy Wyatt - Host

Nora Keely

Director, Animation Associates

Senior Animation Production Executive

Andy works in the UK and Ireland as animator, writer, director, producer and educator. Many of the productions Andy has directed have received awards including three BAFTA nominations. Andy is currently a channel partner for Toon Boom Animation in UK/Ireland and Director of Animation Associates.

Nora is an Emmy and Canadian Screen Award‑winning Senior Animation Production Executive with over 20 years leading large scale, multi series productions spanning stop motion, 2D, 3D, and hybrid animation.

Now based in Belfast, she’s an active contributor to the Irish animation sector.

Panels & Chats Date

Saturday 21st Time

12:30 - 13:15 Venue

Wave Dingle Theatre (The Pirate Ship)

In Conversation with Suzanne Kelly This year’s Murakami Award recipient, Suzanne Kelly has led a fascinating career as head of RTÉ Children’s & Young People’s Content at RTÉ, working exclusively in children’s content since 2007.

During this chat, Suzanne will sit down with Dylan Haskins to discuss her career and contributions to the world of Irish animation.

Dylan Haskins - Host

Suzanne Kelly

Commissioner, Podcasts - BBC Sounds

Head of Children’s & Young People’s Content RTÉ

Dylan’s commissions have covered all genres with factual highlights including investigative series Stalked, Cover: Where Is George Gibney?, Stakeknife, I’m Not A Monster and Have You Heard George’s Podcast? – the first ever podcast outside of the US to win a Peabody Award; audio drama People Who Knew Me starring Rosamund Pike and Hugh Laurie; and entertainment hits like Miss Me? with Lily Allen & Miquita Oliver.

Suzanne Kelly has headed up the RTÉ Children’s division since 2018 with responsibility for all content commissioned and created across RTÉ’s video, audio and digital platforms for kids. Content is divided as follows; RTÉ KIDS our master brand, specifically targeting the 7+ audience, & RTE KIDSjr, our preschool channel for 0-6 years.

Panels & Chats Date

Saturday 21st Time

13:15 - 14:15 Venue

Dingle Skellig Hotel (Toon Boom Room)

Meet Your Music And Audio Team!

Creating a piece of animation requires a huge range of audio and music decisions across the production timeline.

In this session, composer Amy Fitzgerald (Peppa Pig Tales / My Little Pony) and audio and music producer Mark Gordon (Doodle Girl, Yukee, Isadora Moon) will go through the end to end process of creating a perfect audio and music pipeline for your project!

Mark Gordon

Amy Fitzgerald

Composer

Music Composer

Mark Gordon is a multi award-winning composer who runs the music production company Score Draw Music, which provides original music, audio and songs for children’s TV. Current work spans content for Nickelodeon Jr, Cartoon Network, Netflix, CBBC, Channel 5, Milkshake and Sky. Score Draw are now also producing content, and their first show - a 52 part animated pre school music series called “Yukee” which Mark cocreated , airs on Cbeebies / BBC from Feb 2024.

Amy FitzGerald is a composer with a background in animation. She is currently the lead composer and songwriter on Peppa Pig Tales. Her previous credits include music for Billie the Oddpaw Vet, Irish Fairy Doors, and advertising work such as a BOSCH Christmas advert.

Amy holds an MA in Composition for Film & TV from the University of Bristol.

Panels & Chats Date

Saturday 21st Time

14:00 - 14:45 Venue

Wave Dingle Theatre (The Pirate Ship)

From Concept to Screen Jill Beecher is a production designer and concept illustrator, working on a variety of cinematic gems including Avatar: Fire and Ash, Marty Supreme, The Revenant, Killers of the Flower Moon, Sing 2, Space Jam: A New Legacy and much, much more.

In this illuminating conversation, discover what it takes to be a concept illustrator for film, learning Jill’s process from page to screen and what it takes to work for Hollywood.

Dylan Haskins - Host

Jill Beecher

Commissioner, Podcasts - BBC Sounds

Production Deisgner & Concept Illustrator

Dylan’s commissions have covered all genres with factual highlights including investigative series Stalked, Cover: Where Is George Gibney?, Stakeknife, I’m Not A Monster and Have You Heard George’s Podcast? – the first ever podcast outside of the US to win a Peabody Award; audio drama People Who Knew Me starring Rosamund Pike and Hugh Laurie; and entertainment hits like Miss Me? with Lily Allen & Miquita Oliver.

Jill Beecher is a production designer, art director and concept illustrator with extensive experience in film, television and print. Her work includes cinematic projects such as Marty Supreme, Frankenstein, Killers of the Flower Moon, Alien: Covenant, Elvis and The Revenant. Jill brings a wealth of proven creative expertise from page to screen, helping bring imaginative worlds to life.

Panels & Chats Date

Saturday 21st Time

14:45 - 15:45 Venue

Wave Dingle Theatre (Round Room)

Art as Activism - Gaza in Colour Screening & Q&A Throughout the war and devastation in Gaza, award-winning animator Haneen Koraz has persevered, teaching stop-motion animation workshops for children in refugee camps. By providing the children the time and space to use their imagination and create by hand, Haneen “tried to change the reality, even if just a little” The resulting catalogue of films is a powerful display of imagination and creativity, in which the children reflect on their circumstances, their past and hopes and dreams for the future.

This illuminating event will feature short films made by children in Gaza, as well as a live Q&A with Haneen, during which we will explore art’s ability to subvert and challenge the status quo, bring change and provide hope to all.

Shauna Cullen

Haneen Koraz

Producer, JAM Media

Animator and Educator

Shauna is currently on the production team for JAM’s animated series BeddyByes for CBBC. Most recently, she produced Dembaya which won Best Animated Short at the 2025 IFTA Award, Nova Jones and the short Worry World. She was nominated for the Bingham Ray New Talent Award in 2023.

Haneen Koraz is an animator and stop-motion educator who lives in Gaza, Palestine. She has collaborated with numerous arts and cultural organisations both in Gaza and beyond. Her work is devoted to empowering women and young girls in particular.

Notice

Since this is a free public screening we ask that you book your place if you are interested in attending.

Booking link - http://tiny.cc/r530101

Road to recovery. Support UNICEF’s critical humanitarian work in Gaza.

DONATE TODAY

Scéalta na hÉireann á dtabhairt go barr uisce

Bringing Ireland’s stories to life

cnam.ie

Panels & Chats Date

Saturday 21st Time

15:00 - 15:45 Venue

Wave Dingle Theatre (The Pirate Ship)

John Kelly (Retirement Plan) 365 days from Dingle to The Oscars and back!

John Kelly’s short, Retirement Plan was the winner of our Best Irish Professional Short Award in 2025. Since then, it has been on a wild journey, winning awards and capturing hearts across the world, and even landing an Oscar nomination!

In this illuminating chat, John Kelly will talk all about Retirement Plan and its trip to the Oscars!

Maurice Galway - Host

John Kelly

Festival Director & Co-Founder, Animation Dingle

Filmmaker

Maurice Galway is the Festival Director and co-founder of Animation Dingle. Maurice has over 30 years of festival experience and he brings this each year to Animation Dingle.

As a festival director, programmer, exhibitor and as an artist and filmmaker himself, Maurice has a deep understanding of what works, what needs to be seen, what audiences want to see, how to exhibit that and, ultimately, what is good.

John Kelly is a filmmaker specialising in animation. He studied at the Royal College of Art in London, and lives and works in Dublin, Ireland. His film RETIREMENT PLAN Won both the Grand Jury and Audience Awards in the Animated Short Competition at SXSW 2025 and is nominated for an Oscar® at the 2026 Academy Awards. He’s currently developing a feature-length animated documentary, alongside too many other things.

Workshop Date

Friday 20th Time

14:15 - 15:15 Venue

St. James Church

The Storyteller’s Toolkit: Why Connection Matters?

Join Lena Byrne and Katie Davies as they link in with this year’s festival theme, Connected By Stories, and delve once more into their Storytellers’ Toolkit to explore “Why Connection Matters?”

This is a lively interactive discussion and relaxed exploration into the nature of connection in storytelling. How do we use connection? With whom are we connecting? How can you strengthen connection when telling your own stories?

Lena Byrne

Katie Davies

Founder & Story Consultant

Writer and Script/Story Consultant

Lena is the founder of D11 Stories and producer of the award-winning short ‘No Worries!’ With 25-years industry experience as a script consultant, Lena was Script Producer on TV series for Amazon Studios, CBBC, CBeebies, Nickelodeon & RTÉ. She is a mentor for Screen Ireland, the NTAA & MCM, a board member for Fresh Film and a company director for Pikkukala Ireland.

Katie has twenty years’ experience working in animation and live action, children’s and grown-up telly. She has worked on fan favourites such as Roy, Sir Mouse, The Wee Littles, Fia’s Fairies, The Scavengers, Nova Jones and most recently the highly acclaimed pre-school series, BeddyByes. Katie is passionate about imaginative story-telling and puts her head, heart and soul into all her collaborations.

Workshop Date

Friday 20th Time

15:30 - 17:00 Venue

St. James Church Sponsored by

Brainstorming - The Blank Page We’ve all got ideas and stories floating around in our heads. The hard part is figuring out how to get them out.

Brainstorming strong ideas and gags is a key part of storyboarding, and in this workshop, Rejean Bourdages will share ways to jump-start your creativity— especially when you feel stuck. Taking a closer look at comedy and the process behind writing effective gags and jokes, participants will put these tips into practice by writing gags in the moment.

Rejean Bourdages Storyboard Artist Armed with a pencil and a lifelong love of drawing, Rej Bourdages has spent more than 40 years in animation. He started as a traditional 2D animator on classics like Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and The Lion King, before discovering his true passion in storyboarding. Since then, Rej has worked across the industry at studios including Disney, DreamWorks, and Aardman, and has called Pixar home for over 15 years. His storyboard work can be seen in films such as Shrek, Madagascar, Soul, Cars 3, Inside Out 2, Chicken Run, and Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit, The Good Dinosaur, Inside Out 2 and Elio.

Workshop Date

Saturday 21st Time

12:30 - 13:30 Venue

Dingle Skellig Hotel (Breeches’ Room)

Directing the Voice Actor, Animating the Intention A powerful story is built on characters whose actions and emotions feel real, no matter how fantastical the world!

Join Julie-Ann Dean for a presentation focused on creating characters that people truly connect with. You’ll learn best practices for directing voice actors to achieve those magic moments, and explore how applying acting techniques can be a tool for animators to build characters that audiences will relate to and care about.

Julie-Ann Dean Voice Actor and Owner of Scripts Out Loud Julie-Ann is a multi-award-winning voice actor with 30 years’ experience in animation, including the new beloved Milkshake! series Stan and Gran. As the founder of Scripts Out Loud, she combines her passion for casting and voice directing to provide affordable development services for animation studios and creators. Julie-Ann is thrilled to be here; she is rarely allowed out of her small, padded room.

Workshop Date

Saturday 21st Time

12:30 - 14:00 Venue

St. James Church Sponsored by

Masterclass: Strange Stories with Bill Plympton In this exclusive workshop, Bill Plympton, the “King of Indie Animation” will share his journey from cartoonist for The New York Times and National Lampoon to a world-renowned filmmaker who built a career outside the studio system.

Students will gain first-hand insights into his creative process, his approach to storytelling and design, and the art of sustaining an independent animation practice.

For anyone passionate about animation, this session is not just a workshop, this is a chance to sit with a true master of the craft and one of the most original voices in animation history.

Bill Plympton Director, Producer, Animator Bill is an NYC Animator born in Oregon, “The King of Indie Animation” has handdrawn 9 Feature Length and over 100 Short Films by himself. He’s two-time OscarNominated, earned various awards, including Cannes Prix du Jury. His films have been featured on MTV, Cartoon Network, and holds the record for the most Couch Gags openings on The Simpsons.

Workshop Date

Saturday 21st Time

14:15 - 16:15 Venue

St. James Church

Masterclass: A Happiness of Puppets with Barry Purves In this two-hour masterclass, Oscar and BAFTA-nominated director and animator Barry Purves will take us deep into the art and soul of puppet animation.

Beginning with a screening of Barry’s award-winning and controversial short Rigoletto, the workshop will explore performance, process, and the enduring magic of bringing inanimate objects to life.

One of the world’s most celebrated voices in puppet animation, Barry has directed iconic series such as The Wind in the Willows, Rupert Bear, Postman Pat, and Twirlywoos, and contributed to features including Mars Attacks! and King Kong.

His own acclaimed shorts have won over seventy international awards, renowned for their theatrical flair, innovation, and emotional depth.

Barry Purves Animation and Theatre Director Barry has been involved with mainly stop motion for more than 45 years, directing his own short films, tv series and in significant roles in feature films. He teaches around the world, writes, and also directs for theatre and has his own calming radio show.

Workshop Date

Saturday 21st Time

14:30 - 15:30 Venue

Dingle Skellig Hotel (Toon Boom Room)

The Human Edge: Balancing Craft & Tech in Indie Animation Compelling animation relies on a symbiosis of craft and technology.

In a digital world, how do we keep the “hand-made” feel alive? Join Canadian art & tech animator (and sometimes filmmaker) Daniel Gies to explore workflows that balance human artistry with modern tools. Bring your projects—let’s ensure your work retains its soul and stands out.

Daniel Gies Co-Founder, Creative & Technical Director at E.D.Films Daniel Gies is a self-taught animation director and creative technologist who learned filmmaking through online tutorials and the guidance of generous mentors. Known for pushing off-the-shelf animation techniques, he blends handcrafted visual artistry with innovative digital workflows. He also develops custom production tools and shares his expertise through a global online tutorial community of over 100,000 followers.

Workshop Date

Saturday 21st Time

13:45 - 14:45 Venue

Dingle Skellig Hotel (Breeches’ Room) Sponsored by

Dream it, Write it, Pitch it.

How do you develop ideas into stories? What’s the best way to sell them?

And what do animated film and TV producers want? Script consultant Alizée Musson, author of “”The Art of Writing Animation””, highlights all the basics for you.

Learn the dos and don’ts of writing and selling your project in this 1-hour session.

Alizée Musson Writer & Story Editor Alizée is a writer and story editor who recently published “The Art of Writing Animation” for publisher Creative Essentials. She began her career in script development through various freelance roles with companies such as Entertainment One, Amazon Studios, Ubisoft, and Walt Disney. Alizée also mentors writers through international development programs and previously worked with Screen Yorkshire and Screen Ireland.

Notice

Alizée will also be doing a book signing at Zone 10 in our Careers & Recruitment Fair on Saturday, 15:00-16:00

Study animation in France!

Meet Campus France at Animation Dingle 2026!

21st March at Dingle Skellig Hotel

Learn about affordable tuition fees and English-taught animation programs campusfranceireland

| academic@ambafrance-ie.org

Screening programme Animation Dingle are delighted to once again present an exciting and dynamic screening programme.

First up is our In-Competition programme - comprising short films from around the world, representing top colleges and studios from Ireland and beyond.

Alongside this, • Survival of the Fittest, our continuing collaboration with Miyu Distribution, which showcases exciting French student voices.

• A screening of Little Amélie or The Character of Rain, nominated for Best Animated Feature at the 98th Academy Awards.

• A free family screening of Wolfwalkers/Na Conríochtaí • Plympton’s Toons, a collection of Bill Plympton’’s favourite shorts.

Plenty to watch! So come on down to St James’ Church and Wave Dingle Theatre for a break from all the activity.

Thank you to our wonderful selectors for aiding us in creating such a varied and eclectic programme this year.

Happy watching!

Meet the Selectors

Amy Louise O’Callaghan Festival Coordinator, Animation Dingle

Emory Dinning

Amy Upchurch

Production Coordinator, Aardman Academy

Jamie Chua

Layout Artist

Character and Prop Designer/Illustrator

Katie Davies

Mark Rusk

Writer & Script/Story Consultant

Director, Chimera

Paddy C. Courtney

Maurice Galway

Writer & Voice Actor

Festival Director & Co-Founder, Animation Dingle

Saorfhlaith Martin

Senibo Myers

Merlin Roche

David Deignan

Emerging Animator/Technical Artist

Freelance Artist

Television Writer

Development Producer

A film by Louise Bagnall

Coming in 2026

Screenings Date

Thursday 19th Time

15:00 - 16:15 Venue

Wave Dingle Theatre (Round Room)

Irish Students 1

STING

STING

Hugo Whelan / ATU Donegal

Myra Matsepa / MTU Kerry

At the annual Dingle fashion show, An Phiast shows off his unique take on sustainable fashion!

Seen as a monster, he is only a soul missing home. Fallen from the Moon, he leaps into its reflection night after night, believing it will carry him back.

Anam

Assimilation

Business Man

Ireland / 2025 / 4:30 Directed by Ailbhe Fearon & Muireann Mulvihill IADT

Ireland / 2025 / 4:50 Directed by Iris Aghedo and Piotr Chodup TUS

Ireland / 2025 / John Stenson Directed by John Stenson LSAD

Our main character attempts to find her wife, a space traveller, on an alien world.

An animation based on the song by Musical Comedian Tom Cardy; 2 coffee shop patrons get accosted by a business man who insists he’s not a cop.

An Phiast en Vogue

As Fionn patiently awaits his inevitable end on a lonely island, an innocent voice disrupts his peace and leads him back to the beginning...

Only the Night Knows

Handprints

Hola Mi Amor

Landfall

Ireland / 2025 / 4:11 Directed by Naoise Walsh ATU Donegal

Ireland / 2025 / 2:36 Directed by Nicole Morgan Diez IADT

Ireland / 2025 / 5:10 Directed by Áine Morris LSAD

When his dog runs off during a mental health walk, Noe, a burnt out graffiti artist, chases after him into a mysterious cave. What he discovers is a glimpse into an ancient past.

A short multi media film, showing childhood to the present through home footage.

Fate calls upon the young captain of a skyship when a mysterious relic falls into her hands.

Lipstick

My Marigolds!

Our Father

Ireland / 2025 / 3:53 Directed by Éilis O’Neill

Ireland / 2025 / 4:57 Directed by Holly Emerson Byrne IADT

Ireland / 2025 / 7:17 Directed by Stuart Hill IADT

A little hedgehog goes about his day, gardening and enjoying the world, until his gloves get swept away by the wind!

When a bible-basher’s midnight streetsermon can’t draw a crowd, he hatches an erotic plan to lure the masses away from the late-night porno shop.

Follows the lives of three women within a family as they deal with sickness, ageing and interdependence

REM

The Cat Burglar

The Volunteer

Ireland / 2025 / 7:28 Directed by Laura Masterson IADT

Ireland / 2025 / 4:12 Directed by Saoirse Kelly BCFE

Ireland / 2025 / 9:57 Directed by Charlie Beimers

When a strange substance threatens to disturb our protagonist’s sheltered comfort she must travel through her own subconscious to answer the question: is growing up really that bad?

When scaredy-cat Pumpkin misinterprets a news broadcast, he starts an investigation and points his paws at all the wrong suspects.

Voice of Fire

Vuela

Waiting Room

Ireland, Canada / 2025 / 4:11 Directed by Naomi Golanowski MTU

Ireland / 2025 / 3:42 Directed by Florangela Condori LSAD

Ireland / 2025 / 2:49 Directed by AmberAmelia Kelly IADT

Belle, an injured ex-dancer, is taken to a gallery to renew her passion for life by her overenthusiastic best friend, Beau.

There, she comes to face her past in an unexpected form.

Following the story of a little girl’s dream of soaring the sky, “Vuela” is a film about dreams, immigration, resilience, and a mother’s unwavering support.

Waiting Room is a semi autobiographical, experimental short which explores difficult emotions and trauma in living with a loved one with a terminal illness.

In a bleak, industrial future where humans have exhausted Earth’s resources, one volunteer’s search for a plentiful new planet yields an unexpected dilemma.

WE ARE ELK We are in Production, completion date October 2026 We are actively Hiring, Production positions and Art Department positions We are a Hybrid working studio with 3 days a week in our Dundalk office

We are here!

Jobs posted on our website and our socials, Instagram and Linkedin

www.elkstudios.tv You are here!

Screenings Date

Thursday 19th Time

International Students 1: Odd Couples

16:15 - 17:00 Venue

Wave Dingle Theatre (Round Room)

STING

When The Tide Comes

Line 12

Faye McNamara / BCFE

UK / 2025 / 10:29 Directed by Fêt-Nat Bailly National Film and Television School

Germany / 2025 / 8:33 Directed by Sarah Schulz, Christopher Schmier Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg

An Phiast in: The Corroding Comet!

After an eerie comet crashes into Loch Corraillí , An Phiast and his friend go forth to investigate only to be faced with an insidious new threat from beyond the stars.

Within the dunes, a sand creature and a baby sea turtle meet by a sudden turn of events. Together they will journey to the ocean where they will both learn what it is to be a part of their world.

Will a pedantic train conductor and a chaotic musician be able to save the train from disaster?

Hungry Hollow

Ape Shit

Learning Swordsmanship

USA / 2025 / 5:36 Directed by Sarah Ruyle Rhode Island School of Design

USA / 2025 / 2:57 Directed by Dahlia Kressler Aardman Academy

China / 2025 / 8:30 Directed by MeiXiao Yang Beijing Film Academy

A gaggle of forest sprites mingle and cavort at the local watering hole, so to speak.

Two monkeys embark on a mission from an unlivable earth. They are the last hope.

They set their sights on a lush green planet galaxies away. The last hope for monkey-kind.

As a child, Nie Yinniang encountered a weasel diligently practicing swordsmanship. They became companions in training.

Screenings Date

Thursday 19th Time

19:45 - 20:15 Venue

Wave Dingle Theatre (Round Room)

International Students 2: After Dark

STING

An Phiast’s Untold Story Melanie Smith / TUS An Phiast is everyone’s favourite celebrity, He’s charming and charismatic on the outside however on the inside there may be different story... Who is he really?

L’OMBRE DU KIVU

JUDY1964

France / 2025 / 6:06

Belgium / 2025 / 5:10 Directed by Marie-Hélène Van Thuyne RITCS Brussels

Directed by Paul Beaumond, Maëlle Durin, Benjamin Garandel, Charlotte Occhio, Mathilde Piscione, Blandine Rebourg, Timothée Rousseau, Victor Verger, Maicheng Wang

In an equatorial forest, Hélène, a dedicated primatologist, is left for dead after the slaughter of her gorillas by poachers. In desperation, Hélène uses a Nkondi to help her seek revenge.

The Nest

Closing Hour

France / 2025 / 7:12

The Netherlands / 2025 / 8:34 Directed by Tim Smink Utrecht University of the Arts

Directed by Aurélien Coquery, Léa Kermanach, Soline Mauguin, Abel Tixador, Jean Baounon, Romane Selter-Fiette Supinfocom Rubika

When shy young luthier Aurore reunites with her beloved mother, she uncovers a monstrous family secret. Will she find the strength to break free from her mother’s nest?

While working the night shift at a remote gas station, a lone girl must try to survive when a violent guest arrives.

In 1960s suburbia, young Judy is captivated by a new toy gun commercial, but when she stumbles upon her parents’ real firearm, the line between playful fantasy and real danger blurs.

Screenings Date

Thursday 19th Time

20:30 - 22:00 Venue

Wave Dingle Theatre (Round Room)

Little Amélie or The Character of Rain Dir: Liane-Cho Han Jin Kuang, Maïlys Vallade France-Belgium // 2025 87 mins Amélie, a Belgian child in Japan, happily explores life with her companion Nishio-san.

When her third birthday arrives, a critical turning point marks the beginning of life-altering events.

Winner of the Audience Award for Best Feature at Annecy Nominated for Best Animated Feature at the 2026 Academy Awards

Screenings Date

Friday 20th Time

10:00 - 11:00 Venue

St. James Church

International Professionals 1: Bluff, Bravado, Loneliness

STING

EDU´SFEAR

The Piano

Niamh Kelly / BCFE

Brazil / 2025 / 11:26 Directed by Bruno Mazzilli and Tiago Judas

USA / 2025 / 7:53 Directed by Avery Kroll

Sharp Dressed Phiast

An Phiast is an important businessman who is living a double life.

Edu, a child transitioning into adolescence, faces his fears and discovers courage when choosing between the comfort of the past and the freedom of growth.

One night, a young girl discovers her father bent over the keys at the piano, sparking a lifelong bond that resonates far beyond their final note.

You Play Too Much

The Ottoman

My Neighbor

USA / 2025 / 13:00 Directed by Rob Shaw

USA / 2025 / 12:53 Directed by Mike Stamm

USA / 2025 / 5:00 Directed by Dominic Carola

In 1980’s Philly, dangerous situations, crazy characters and dope beats create the backdrop for eight year old lil’ Robbie as he navigates the rules of the schoolyard.

The Ottoman, an amateur robot gladiator, is looking forward to proving himself in the arena. But when his obsession with winning endangers the lives of his wife and son, he faces a harsh lesson about what victory truly requires.

Carl, a territorial cardinal, has his quiet life upended when he helps Misty, a cheerful bluebird with three chicks. His reluctant act of kindness transforms his life forever.

Screenings Date

Friday 20th Time

STING

The Puppet Show Hannah Collins / MTU When a puppet show about the TRUE story of An Phiast spirals out of control, the audience is shocked to find out who the storytellers are.

International Students 3: The Process of Becoming

10:00 - 10:45 Venue

Wave Dingle Theatre (Round Room)

Gaïa

Knot

Jincheng Driving School

Germany / 2025 / 4:08 Directed by Gwenola Heck Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg

UK / 2025 / 4:44 Directed by Zihan Chen Royal College of Art

China / 2025 / 9:40 Directed by 焦炳豪/Jiao BingHao China Academy of Art

Gaïa’s organs are inhabited by people.

Once her body is not a sufficient habitat anymore, they try to impregnate her in order to create a new planet.

A young girl gets accused by her teacher of stealing a classmate’s glasses. At the same time, she feels a lack of trust from her mother, which leads to a long period of self-doubt.

Jincheng Driving School is an animated short film that uses daily driving practice as a narrative medium.

Tears of the Mountain

Chère fin

ima wa ima

France / 2025 / 7:38

France / 2025 / 7:49

Hong Kong, Taiwan, United Kingdom / 2025 / 4:43 Directed by Greg Keung Royal College of Art

Jaya sets out to hunt the spirit of the mountain, a sacred beast with valuable feathers. As she approaches the heart of the mountain, she’s interrupted by her younger sister, Amala, devout on protecting the spirit.

An old postman goes through his last tour of deliveries in the archipelago that he worked in his whole life, gliding on water with his old bike. He finds himself confronted to the reality of his coming retirement.

When an office worker discovers a caterpillar at work, a forgotten childhood memory resurfaces, one that loops through time, blending the mundane and the magical.

Directed by Luke Ashworth, Yehor Bondarenko, Alp Kurdoglu, Romane Talva, Ange Yajima Gobelins

Directed by Khéma Cousin, Lien Franckel, Laora Le Boursicot, Alissende Masson, Joséphine Mounier, Clément Saden

Screenings Date

Friday 20th Time

11:00 - 12:00 Venue

Wave Dingle Theatre (Round Room)

International Professionals 2: Intimate Observations

STING

Autokar

Whereabouts

Aedammair Ryan / BCFE

Belgium, France / 2025 / 17:00 Directed by Sylwia Szkiłądź

USA / 2025 / 2:00 Directed by Suejee Lee

An Phiast regales his date with an actionpacked explanation for his black eye.

Should they believe him?

In the 1990s, 8-year-old Agata leaves Poland for Belgium. Through her eyes, the reality of migration becomes an initiatory experience.

A riso-printed animated short following a woman’s journey through NYC— unfolding through small, intimate moments.

HUGS

Brain Space

DUNDUN

Belgium / 2025 / 6:30 Directed by Nicolas Fong

UK / 2025 / 8:21 Directed by Laura Tofarides

China / 2025 / 15:34 Directed by Wangbin

During a bike ride, someone catches two people tenderly embracing. He let himself be carried away by daydreams, imagining all sorts of cuddles...

Propelled into her own mind, Rhi explores the thoughts, fears and impulses that shape our internal world.

In an old toy store that is going out of business, two dolls try very hard to dress themselves up in order to be bought.

Caught in Phiasticuffs

Screenings Date

Friday 20th Time

11:15 - 12:15 Venue

St. James Church

International Students 4: Growing Pains

STING

The joy of being

Lucy and the Boundless Sky

Kathryn Doporto Diaz / TUS

Denmark / 2025 / 9:44 Directed by Emma Bruun Ruus The National Film School of Denmark

USA / 2025 / 6:58 Directed by Anthony Mora Massachusetts College of Art and Design

Follow 1-year-old Balder on a journey of discovery through everyday moments.

Through his curious eyes, a sensory and gentle drama unfolds, where everything is new and must be explored with care.

A father brings his daughter to a ceremony, where she will fly off to become a star in the sky.

The Untold Origin of An Phiast

In a time far away, in a land that’s pretty close, An Phiast’s story begins...Once Mama Phiast gets him out of his egg and into the great big world!

Dad Said

Death’s Peak

The Netherlands / 2025 / 6:47 Directed by Livia May University of the Arts Utrecht

UK / 2025 / 9:08 Directed by William Fair National Film and Television School

Young Freya loves her dad, even though he doesn’t always give the same amount of love back.

Desperate for connection, David digs up his brother’s corpse. With their trusty red wagon, they ascend a treacherous mountain in pursuit of their childhood dream.

Tumbleweed

Freshwater

France / 2025 / 6:48 Directed by Johanna Bouaoiche, Louis Creuzet, Marie Hareaux, Wilson Hinh, Arthus Mariet, Masha Moran Gobelins

Canada / 2025 / 2:55 Directed by Olivia Wilyman OCAD University

Hurle, a young woman, dreams of a future beyond the coffee shop where she works to support her mother. Her life is disrupted when she goes in pursuit of an eccentric petty thief who will turn her daily life upside down.

Through a personal retelling of childhood memories, “Freshwater” explores the mind and serves as a reminder to embrace the parts of ourselves that may have been left behind in youth.

Screenings Date

Friday 20th Time

12:15 - 13:15 Venue

Wave Dingle Theatre (Round Room)

International Professionals 3: Forces Seen & Unseen

STING

ノヒミツノセイカツ (An Phiast’s Secret Life) Jason Brady Byrne / BCFE An Phiast must protect the dingle shores from a vicious monster - luckily, he has a magical trick up his sleeve, and can do battle with a girly flair!

Paper Daughter

The Magician

The Gnawer of Rocks

USA / 2025 / 15:00 Directed by Cami Kwan

Romania, Croatia, France / 2025 / 24:01 Directed by Bogdan Muresanu

Canada / 2025 / 14:38 Directed by Louise Flaherty

To secure her family’s future, Joy assumes a dead girl’s identity, wearing a fragile paper mask and memorizing “Mae’s” life.

Sulina, 1910. It is the inauguration of the first electric power station in this Romanian port city. In the jubilation of a modern and cosmopolitan crowd, Ilarion, a prestidigitator from another time, tries to play his last card.

Two young women out for a walk follow a trail of coloured stones left on the ground, which leads them to danger. They are trapped in the lair of the Mangittatuarjuk, the Gnawer of Rocks.

Welcome Home Retreats supporting guests at Animation Dingle

Retreat Your Way WHICH ONE IS FOR YOU?

Ireland, 2 Nights Think: Serenity, Quietness, Elegant Spaces Deep Rejuvenation

UK, 3 Nights Think: Sunrise & Sunset Sea Swimming, Beachy, Salty, Fresh Air, Hot Tubs Uplifting & Reconnecting

3 BESPOKE OPTIONS

Portugal, 5 Nights Think: Heat & Luxury, Long Days, Strong Connections Diving Deeper into Practices www.welcomehomesretreats.com

Screenings Date

Friday 20th Time

Irish Professional Shorts *

Venue

St. James Church

This film is co-funded by Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland and RTÉ under the Frameworks short film scheme.

**

This film was commissioned by RTÉ KIDS for its ‘Schools Out’ series.

***

This film was commissioned by Fís Éireann/ Screen Ireland, in partnership with Animation Ireland and the National Talent Academy for Animation, as part of the Osaka Expo 2025 Short Film Fund.

****

12:30 - 14:00

STING

An Phiast’s Untold Story Luke Bracken / TUS

These films were funded as part of the National Talent Academy for Animation’s “First Credit Scheme, Animation” and “Short Film Fund, Animation”. NTAA is an initiative of Screen Ireland that is managed by Animation Ireland.

As An Phiast rises from the waters of Dingle once again, he realises he is not the famous mascot anymore.

*** Brón

****

Ai Solves Climate Disaster

Boglach

Ireland / 2025 / 5:00 Directed by David Quin

Ireland / 2025 / 1:56 Directed by Sarah Benson

Ireland / 2025 / 3:43 Directed by Cat Mangan Williams

The world’s collective AI systems, oligarchs, billionaires and autocrats all team up to solve the Climate Disaster!

Their plan is to move the earth’s population to a NEWLY discovered planet.

As ever, NOTHING can go wrong!!!

A community of characters throughout a familiar green island are connected by their obsession with the weather.

A man on the edge of oblivion is granted a chance at redemption. In the form of a curious fox.

Cineál Fiáin Ireland / 2025 / 7:28 Directed by John McDaid Voiced by three generations of one family, WildKind is a poem painted to awaken the senses, a fluid journey of hope and healing across our shared watercolour motherland.

Éiru

Jesus And The King Of Rock And Roll

Meteoric

Ireland / 2025 / 13:00 Directed by Giovanna Ferrari

Ireland / 2025 / 8:41 Directed by Domhnall Cotter

Ireland / 2025 / 6:38 Directed by Paul Ó Muiris

When the water disappears from the well in a warrior clan’s village, an intrepid child descends into the belly of the earth to retrieve it.

Fourteen-year-old Tommy lives in a quiet apartment with his mother, but, inside his mind, a war rages.

When an artist is hit by a meteor, the result is a “painting” that captivates the world. But the people want more.

No Worries!

** Open Éire

*** Placeholder

Ireland / 2025 / 2:00 Directed by Chris Dicker

Ireland / 2025 / 2:00 Directed by Walter Giampaglia

Ireland / 2025 / 7:17 Directed by Elisa Beli Borrelli

With the new school year looming, 10-year-old PJ’s anxiety manifests as a 300-pound gorilla only he can see!

Now he has to face his fears, a smelly schoolbag and last year’s lunch.

Six year old would-be animator Dáire takes us on a doodle sketch journey across Ireland’s culture, heritage and nature.

A young transmasc from a far away land finds a new home in the country of Ireland, but its problems quickly start to take a toll on him.

*

Quantum Quest

Tales of the Curragh

The Cloud Herder

Ireland / 2025 / 3:00 Directed by Niamh Asple & James Naughton

Ireland / 2025 / 5:07 Directed by Joshua Brown & Iobhar Stokes-Rodriguez

Ireland / 2025 / 7:05 Directed by Aidan McAteer

Alice and Bob play hide-and-seek in the quantum realm, discovering superposition, observation, and quantum mechanics with a clever cat in a fun, kidfriendly adventure.

During a storm, a mother tells her daughter stories of the history, mythology and culture of the Curragh of Kildare.

Unanimated Strangers

**** Violent Volition

*

An ageing herder protects her flock of clouds from a ferocious storm of her own making.

* Weather This, Climate That

Ireland / 2025 / 4:55 Directed by Róisín Kelly

Ireland / 2025 / 5:23 Directed by Graham Holbrook

Ireland / 2025 / 1:27 Directed by Fausto Pontes

Surrounded by strangers, a woman’s memories of her past relationship unravel and mesh with the people around her.

A conversation about free will versus determinism through the eyes of two fighting game warriors. Do they have the power of choice, or are they puppets on a string?

A weatherman and his inept handling of the weather leads to misfortune for a farmer on the ground.

Screenings Date

Friday 20th Time

13:30-14:15 Venue

Wave Dingle Theatre (Round Room)

International Students 5: Meditations on War

STING

The Dingmuta Triangle Adam Grier / ATU Donegal Ships have started going missing off the coast of Ireland in the “Dingmuta Triangle”

A Sparrow’s Song

Gauze

Germany / 2025 / 9:11 Directed by Tobias Eckerlin Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg GmbH

France / 2025 / 7:45

Inspired by a true story, a widowed air raid warden in the midst of World War II struggles to overcome grief and rediscover joy in her life—until she finds a dying sparrow she hopes to save.

14-year-old Zain, a Palestinian swimming champion, faces war and man-made famine. He becomes the sole caregiver to his little brother. When aid drops into the sea, desperate for food, Zain is forced to swim—not for passion, but for survival.

My Grandmother is a Skydiver

La fille du Lac

Germany / 2025 / 13:00 Directed by Polina Piddubna Filmuniversität Babelsberg Konrad Wolf

France / 2025 / 9:23

In 1960s Tajikistan, a skydiver gets a call from her granddaughter in 2022 Ukraine, sparking an intergenerational journey through trauma, memory and identity.

Directed by Louise Bacou, Mathieu Leguay, Ludivine Miermont, Elisa Martin, Marion Fuchs, Achille Houplain, Olessia Fedko, Luna Schwertz ENSI

Bombs sound in the dark, the old house shakes. One night, something appears from the lake. A young girl will learn to grow and move on, carrying old memories with her.

Directed by Noran Fikri Alezabi, Nicholas Arujah, Xinyue Ma, Yulin Yue, Xiaonan Zhou Gobelins

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Screenings Date

Friday 20th Time

14:30 - 15:30 Venue

Wave Dingle Theatre (Round Room)

Irish Students 2

STING

That One Time An-Phiast Fell Through Reality Padraig Whyte / BCFE Be it a glitch in the universe or other plans, when faced with certain death, An-Phiast falls through time and space, causing and confirming the truths of our world.

STING

What’s Your Deal?

Shannon Mc Brearty / ATU A boy reads the terrible tale of An Phiast while out fishing with his father. Tragedy strikes as the beast attacks the boat. But who really is the bad guy?

Arcade

Arcane Botany

Common Ground

Ireland / 2025 / 2:35 Directed by Lara C. Rosello

Ireland / 2025 / 2:38 Directed by Cillian Ryan, Daniel Adigun TUS

Ireland / 2025 / 5:27 Directed by Lauren Hannon LSAD

Join Barry the Botanist as he uses his wizard staff to teleport to different worlds in search of a magical flower to complete his collection.

A unique insight into the Irish kitchen table conversation; a moment that is relatable to us all and yet not truly treasured for the resource that it is.

Stop motion short film following teenagers MJ and Tatsu as they explore an abandoned arcade.

Súile

Foundations

Ireland / 2025 / 2:06 Directed by Kellie Flaherty TUS

Ireland / 2025 / 3:05 Directed by Theo Whelan-Hayes IADT

During a performance, a mistake causes a In the far future, in escape of rising tides, dancer to spiral under the pressure to be humans decide to build upon the backs of perfect. newly emerging megafauna

Ghost Post

Hulderskogen

LALA LEMUR

Ireland / 2025 / 6:17 Directed by Myla Sirvyte NCAD

Ireland, Norway, France / 2025 / 3:28 Directed by Danya Grigorev, Siv Bryn, Mia Jiang-Jiang Halling, Alex Adamiak IADT, Høgskulen i Volda, École des Arts Décoratifs (ENSAD)

Ireland / 2025 / 2:44 Directed by Kate Hamilton IADT

Dannie, a dedicated mail carrier, is on a mission to deliver a letter addressed to Joan Reaves—only to discover the town it’s meant for no longer exists.

Chasing his goat into the woods, a boy gets lost as the night settles in. There, he meets a mysterious creature who might have been calling him all along…

The filming of a kids animal edutainment show goes horribly wrong as a demonic lemur puppet tries to bully one of the show hosts off set.

Madra Dáná

Perfect Places

PHOBOSPLUNKER

Ireland / 2025 / 1:47 Directed by Isabelle MacNeaney IADT

Ireland / 2025 / 0:58 Directed by Anastasija Culkova IADT

Ireland / 2025 / 4:20 Directed by Bee Mulvihill LSAD

Great escape film about my little dog, Jasmin!

Two sisters spend an evening by the lake, fishing, crafting necklaces out of water lilies, and making memories.

Follow Deimos, a spaghetti hungry inventor, who must traverse the inside of her own mind in order to track down the source of her sudden wormy hallucinations.

Púca

Rail Against

Smoke Break

Ireland / 2026 / 5:09 Directed by Gray Lawless IADT

Ireland / 2025 / 2:40 Directed by Sean O Boyle IADT

Ireland, Norway / 2025 / 4:07 Directed by Milena Fiodorow IADT

After the passing of their beloved dog, a grieving owner notices his spirit partaking in the activities he once loved.

What’s the point of racing to catch a lost opportunity? A boy learns the hard way that when things go wrong, the best plan may be to try again later.

An angry rat chef who works in a restaurant infested with cockroaches goes out for a smoke break, there he meets his greatest rival, the roach who has infested his restaurant.

Spark!

Sun King Moon Thief

The Edge of Silence

Ireland / 2025 / 2:26 Directed by Salma Elkey IADT

Ireland / 2025 / 4:03 Directed by Sibel Ozmen Colaiste Dhulaigh

Ireland / 2025 / 3:08 Directed by Lili Dora IADT

Have you ever wondered what happened to your lighter? Where it possibly could’ve gone?

The Moon continues his nightly goal to steal as many riches as possible from the Sun King before daybreak.

A lone wolf travels through a snowcovered wilderness, trapped in solitude.

Screenings Date

Friday 20th Time

15:45 - 16:30 Venue

Wave Dingle Theatre (Round Room)

International Students 6: Passion/Obsession

STING

STING

Billie Jean Lynch / ATU

After another tiring day, An Phiast finds a reminder of his past in the shape of an old drawing.

A Clearer View

An Phaist hears a boat passe overhead, waking him from his sleep.

Old Dream

Warp and Weft

Le Jardin Rossini

Niccolo

UK / 2025 / 3:46 Directed by Isolda Milenkovic Central Saint Martins

France / 2025 / 9:58

France / 2025 / 5:35

Herve Rossini is a renowned artist who expresses himself through his surrealist garden. Upon revealing his final artwork to the public, his daughter, Rosalie, announces that she is leaving the garden forever.

A gifted musician’s pursuit of fame traps him in the audience’s demands—until a broken violin forces him to choose between hollow applause and true artistic freedom.

A love letter to the act of hand-making, traditional craft practices, and the people who love them.

Directed by William Burger, Siméon Jacob , Odelia Laine, Garance Mondamert, Tara Rewal, Mathilde Vergereau, Arthur Wong

Directed by Clémentine Di Prizio, David Florian, Axelle Granet, Sirui Liu, Hugo Michalet, Njolai Pachomius Gobelins

The Famous Last Show

The Undying Pain of Existence

Skin Flick

France / 2025 / 6:53

Germany / 2025 / 5:20 Directed by Oscar Jacobson Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg A nude model is posing with statuesque stillness for an elite drawing class – until an unfortunate mosquito bite challenges his self-control.

France / 2025 / 8:05

Directed by Celia Alcina Matesanz, Fuxuan Deng, Pontheera Nimmanakiat, Ané Quintana, Hongru Su Gobelins

Bruce, a young theatre director, is desperately trying to rehearse the perfect birthday only to realize that the unexpected cannot be avoided in his play nor in his life.

Directed by Louise Bailly, Daniela Del Castello, Alice Levy, Bruno De Mendonça, Elifsu Meriç, Joey Quoc Tran Gobelins An X-actress stars in the Devil’s cannibalistic snuff movies in exchange for a beautiful bombshell skin. As she lures a runaway-bride to the studio, she develops feelings that will disrupt the Devil’s scenario.

Screenings Date

Friday 20th Time

16:45 - 17:30 Venue

Wave Dingle Theatre (Round Room)

International Professionals 4: Let’s Get Absurd

STING

STING

JC McClintock / ATU

Stephen McBride / ATU

An Phiast wants to become Mr. Olympia, and in order to do that he gets BUFF, or so it seems?

An Phiast pretends to be a lonely lighthouse worker, but when a boat is caught in a storm he has to don his secret identity

We’re Kinda Different

Carcassone-Acapulco

Just One Peek

USA / 2025 / 3:17 Directed by Ben Meinhardt

France / 2025 / 13:49 Directed by Marjorie Caup, Olivier Héraud

USA / 2025 / 4:50 Directed by Mulan Fu

A peculiar protagonist sings his way through a mundane office building to profound effects.

As flight 7836 reaches cruising speed above the Atlantic Ocean, the pilot, copilot and flight attendant are startled by an unexpected knock at the door!

A girl is pulled into her phone’s whirlwind of doomscrolling, vanity, and viral chaos, struggling to escape its addictive grip.

An Phiast Gets BUFF!

Secret Identity

Yearn

Hexapod

My game

USA / 2025 / 4:26 Directed by Ben Smith

Canada / 2025 / 8:59 Directed by Axel Kinnear

Spain / 2025 / 4:48 Directed by David Navarro Bravo

During an earthquake, two statues in an art museum finally hook up – defying the laws of religion, society, and physics. A story about love, lust, and the beauty that can be found in letting go.

A lone goblin prisoner must attempt a dazzling escape from a labyrinthine castle, as a mad noble struggles to retain his reluctant audience.

Leaving everything to fate is liberating. It relieves us of all responsibility and makes it possible to enjoy the present. Fate, however, always has an ace up its sleeve.

Screenings Date

Friday 20th Time

17:15 - 18:45 Venue

St James Church

Plympton’s Toons

Dir: Bill Plympton US // Various 71 mins Plympton’s Toons is a collection of the weirdest, wildest, and most innovative short films of Oscar-Nominated Animator, Bill Plympton.

Crowned the “father of indie animation” by Terry Gilliam, Bill Plympton has been fascinating audiences for decades with hand-drawn, mind-blowing glimpses into the images and stories floating around in his head. Always provocative, always satirical, and always entertaining, Matt Groening asserted, “Bill Plympton is God”.

In fact, Groening even asked Bill to animate a sequence of The Simpsons which is included in Plympton’s Toons.

Other shorts in the collection include Bill’s Oscar®-Nominated films Your Face and Guard Dog. The full lineup of Plympton’s Toons include: Whale 52, Duckville, Your Face, Homer’s Face, Guard Dog, Hot Dog, 25 Ways to Quit Smoking, The Cow that Wanted to be a Hamburger, Eat, How to Kiss, Santa: The Fascist Years and Push Comes to Shove.

Screenings Date

Friday 20th Time

International Professionals 5: As the Years Pass By

17:45 - 18:45 Venue

Wave Dingle Theatre (Round Room)

STING

STING

Murmuration

Malissa Lombardo / MTU An Phiast’s untold origins are revealed.

He is not of planet earth at all, but from a fallen asteroid, trapped on earth for the rest of his days.

Jade Gray / ATU

The Netherlands / 2025 / 12:30 Directed by Janneke Swinkels, Tim Frijsinger

WHALE 52 - Suite For Man, Boy, And Whale

Hell

Chilies

USA / 2025 / 5:24 Directed by Parker Croft

China / 2025 / 17:13 Directed by Hexuan Zhang

A place where dreams are real, wishes come true, and everything is always awful for everyone.

A man whose deep faith in chili cultivation is tested, undone, and ultimately reformed, revealing how his ideals gradually dissolve.

An Phiastroid

USA / 2025 / 11:14 Directed by Daniel Neiden An elderly man, silently grieving the loss of his partner, volunteers at a school where he’s assigned to mentor a young boy who hasn’t spoken all year.

When the Sea Learned to Skate

When night falls on Dingle’s coastline, one of the sea’s greatest untold stories comes to life. Beneath the moonlight, An Phiast’s seemingly secret performance unfolds.

Piet, an elderly man in a nursing home, finds himself limited in his actions when he suddenly begins to transform into a bird.

Screenings Date

Saturday 21st Time

10:30 - 11:15 Venue

Wave Dingle Theatre (Round Room)

MIYU Distribution Showcase

STING

Luz Diabla

Klonter

Patrycja Olowska / TUS

Argentina, Canada / 2025 / 11:10 Directed by Gervasio Canda, Patricio Plaza and Paula Boffo

Belgium / 2025 / 14:20 Directed by Levi Stoops

Ripped Off

Martín, a flamboyant raver, is involved in a strange accident on the road on his way to a party. Finding refuge with two strange locals, Martín’s paranoia begins to take over him.

Frankie believes he is about to die. On his way to the stars, he accidentally turns into a planet and an explosion of life occurs, including creatures that look like Frankie. Although he is no longer alone, the love for his newly found friends is severely put to the test.

Les Vieux

Reaper

The Fall

France / 2025 / 6:09 Directed by Axelle Fuset, Boris Boidron, Fanny Ghesquiere, Lucile Brunet, Jérémy La, Lauren Félines, Maëlys Guillemoteau, Manuel Mabayog ENSI

France / 2025 / 4:46

France / 2025 / 7:13

A brief interlude of life, where the end gently unfolds beneath laughter and warmth.

After many years of garbage collecting, Oktave’s routine is upended when, one night, unsettling apparitions disturb his reality.

A mountaineer practicing his passion in the high mountains is surprised by a money ticket, then a second... and a third... He senses an opportunity and decides to follow the trail.

A delightful day in Dingle is interrupted when a ravenous seagull steals An Phiast’s comic after he sees the delicious fish on the front cover.

Directed by Cassandra Fenech, Cléa Fernandez Robles, Emilie Friess, Léa Gisbert, Morgane Jama, Aiden Mallet, Axel Pancioni, Émeline Vann La ENSI

Directed by Maxime Tevissen, Tom Alcamo, Hugo Hannache, Dylan Cam, Alexandre Velves, Titouan Kervajan, Yaëlle Alberti ENSI

Screenings Date

Saturday 21st Time

12:45 - 14:30 Venue

Wave Dingle Theatre (Round Room) Sponsored by

Free Family Screening Na Conríochtaí/Wolfwalkers Dir: Tomm Moore, Ross Stewart Ireland, Luxembourg, France, China, US // 2020 103 min The Animation Dingle Family Screening is for the local community, offering the opportunity for younger children to engage with alternative forms of cinema and non-mainstream animation.

Cartoon Saloon’s Wolfwalkers/Na Conríochtaí follows a young apprentice hunter and her father who journey to Ireland to help wipe out the last wolf pack. Everything changes when she befriends a free-spirited girl from a mysterious tribe rumored to transform into wolves by night.

Presented as Gaeilge with English subtitles.

Winner of Best Film at IFTA 2021 Nominated for Best Animated Feature at the 2021 Academy Awards® The screening will be introduced by Tomm Moore.

Notice

Since this is a free public screening we ask that you book your place if you are interested in attending.

Booking link - http://tiny.cc/bv20101

Extras Date

February 27th - March 19th Time

Venue

Siamsa Tíre Sponsored by

Animation is Art Experience the magic behind the screen! Animation is Art is a unique exhibition showcasing original, hand-drawn works and production art from some of the most beloved animated films in history. Hosted at the Siamsa Tíre Gallery from February 27th to March 19th, 2026, this exhibition aims to widen the understanding of animation as a foundational art form.

Bring the family! The exhibition includes an interactive area for children and screenings of films made by the next generation of Irish talent.

Léim Isteach...

cula4.com

Extras Date

Thursday 19th Time

10:00 - 12:00 Venue

Siamsa Tíre Sponsored by

D11 Stories

Schools Workshop: RTÉ Schools Out with Lena Byrne A very special Animation Dingle event for children and schools comes to Siamsa Tíre.

Starting with a RTÉ KIDS School’s Out Animated Short Film screening young audiences will be captivated by the imaginative worlds on screen as they learn of the vast talent and creativity in Irish animation. After the screening, participants will learn how to create their own characters and stories in an imaginative workshop.

event SOLD OUT

Lena Byrne Founder & Story Consultant, D11 Stories

Extras Date

Thursday 19th Time

14:00 - 15:00 Venue

Wave Dingle Theatre (Round Room)

Meet & Mingle: Student Networking Event To kick off the festivities, attendees can come to WAVE Dingle to meet other attendees, mingle and make new connections!

To start you off on the right foot, Brooke Keesling, Animation Talent Recruiting & Development and who is currently scouting animation talent for Chronicle Studios will introduce the event and provide an inspiring talk for all attendees, to help you get the best tips and make the most of the experience.

Brooke Keesling Animation Talent Recruiting & Development Brooke Keesling is currently scouting animation talent for Chronicle Studios. She has worked in the animation and VFX industry for decades as a filmmaker, in recruiting, development, and in education. Prior to joining Chronicle, Brooke recruited animation talent for Cartoon Network, Disney, and Warner Bros., and Bento Box Entertainment.

Extras Date

Thursday 19th Time

17:30 - 19:30 Venue

Wave Dingle Theatre (Round Room) Sponsored by

My Untold Story: Storytelling Event A perfect reflection of our festival’s theme, “Connected by Stories”, this event will shine a spotlight on new and unheard narratives from our community.

Selected through our open call, each participant will have approximately 5 to 6 minutes to share their unique, untold tale. Tune in for a deeply personal and engaging evening. Hosted by Eimear O’ Mahony of RTÉ KIDS.

Eimear O’Mahony Executive Producer, RTÉ KIDS Eimear O’Mahony has worked in RTÉ in Ireland for more than 20 years. Working in Sport, Current Affairs, Irish Language Programmes and Entertainment and producing & directing documentaries, entertainment shows and live events. She was producer on the Late Late Toy Show in 2018.

She began commissioning in Young People’s Programmes in 2019. She has overseen all RTÉjr’s animated shorts anthology series since then as well as numerous live action and animation series.

Eimear founded and runs The RTÉ Women’s Network.

Extras Date

Thursday 19th Time

20:30 - 22:30 Venue

Dingle Skellig Hotel (Conference Room)

Animation Dingle Quiz with DAM Think you’re an expert on all things animation? Test your knowledge with the Animation Dingle Quiz, hosted by DAM. DAM/Dublin Animation Meetup is a community of animators who host monthly meet-ups and events. Sharing knowledge and experience, no matter your experience level, qualifications, or credentials. Dublin Animation Meetup is place for everyone who wants to be a part of our exciting and talented community.

Cillian Grant

Merlin Roche

2D Compositor, Boulder Media

Freelance Artist

Cillian has been running events under the DAM name for over three years now, from casual meetups for day-long film festivals. His biggest passions are film and community so it was almost inevitable he would end up running film themed events!

Merlin Roche is a rigged character animator and editor who studied at Ballyfermot College and jumps between studio jobs and independent work. His passion for animation and game design is outweighed only by his passion for spaceships.

Extras Date

Saturday 21st Time

12.00 - 14.00 Venue

Dingle Skellig Hotel (Foyer) Sponsored by

Sketch Trail Stretch both the legs and drawing muscles with an inspiring walk around Dingle Town. Led by JAM Media Art Director Borja Espana, participants will get to explore Dingle, observe and draw to their heart’s content.

Borja Espana Art Director & Development Creative, JAM Media Borja has been the Art Director and Development Creative with JAM Media for over 20 years and is responsible for overseeing many aspects of the creative process: from pre-production conceptual ideas to production-ready final designs. His work with JAM Media includes Funky Fables, Baby Jake, Zig and Zag, Tilly and Friends, Little Roy, Jessy and Nessy, Nova Jones and Beddybyes. In 2023 Borja wrote and directed the short “”Dembaya””, winner of the IFTA for Best Animated Short.

Extras Date

Saturday 21st Time

16:00 - 19:00 Venue

Wave Dingle Theatre (Round Room)

Art Auction Our annual Art Auction is back and bigger than ever!

Taking place in WAVE, our fabulous hosts Alan and Mark are on hand to auction off one-of-a-kind pieces of art and prizes from this year’s guests.

Stephen Fagan (Studio Meala), a member of the animation community here in Ireland, has suffered a terrible blow: his 8-year-old child, Emily-Rose has only months to live. We in Animation Dingle feel we must support the family as much as we can. The family has set up a funding campaign and we have had an overwhelming response from our community asking if we can use the funds from our art auction to support Stephen and his family this year.

Last year all proceeds were donated to UNICEF Ireland, and the Art Auction raised over €40,800 for the Children of Gaza.

Since our first Art Auction in 2017, we have raised a total of €159,053.00 Do you want to contribute? Come to WAVE and join in!

Mark Cumberton

Alan Shannon

Chief Operations Officer & Co-Founder, JAM Media

CCO Chief Creative Officer & Co-Founder, JAM Media

Extras Date

Saturday 21st Time

20:30 - 21:30 Venue

Wave Dingle Theatre (Round Room)

Photo by Miriam Stanke

Student Closing Party ALEA(s) Finish off the festival with our Closing Party in WAVE, featuring an exciting live performance from ALEA(s).

ALEA(s) is an audiovisual collective based in Brussels joining the skills of illustrator Pierre Coubeau,musician and synth manufacturer François Gaspard, and visual artist Boris Wilmot.

Born from the will to offer a unique live experience, ALEA(s) delivers boiling performances created from scratch, mixing drawing, live animation and electronic music. Surrounded by their audience, the three members create their show without any safety net. While the intense, organic electronic music fills the room, illustrations and animations, crafted alongside the performance are projected onto the big screen to create an immersive and unique show.

Guest List • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Aidan O’Donovan Creative Director, Writer & Producer, Turnip + Duck Aidan Hickey Murakami Award Recipient (2017) Ailbhe McCabe Head of Development, Cartoon Saloon Alan Shannon CCO Jam Media Alix Wiseman Senior Vice President Distribution & Acquisitions, 9 Story Media Group Alizée Musson The Art of Writing for Animation Amanda Ward Enterprise Ireland, IRE Amy FitzGerald Composer Andrea Griffith VP Content and Development, Shere Media Andrew Fitzpatrick Owner Monster Entertainment, Murakami Award Recipient (2025) Andrew Kavanagh CEO & Founder, Kavaleer Andy Wyatt Director at Animation Associates - Business Development, ToonBoom Animation Inc Audrey Stedman Jam Media Aurélie Wack Acquisitions & Co-productions Senior Manager, Kids & Family, EMEAWarner Bros.

Barry Purves Animator, Director, Writer Bill Plympton Cartoonist Boris Wilmot ALEA(S) Borja Espana Art Director / Development Creative, Jam Media Brendan Tuohy Chairman of the Governance Committee of MAREI and Chairperson of EirGrid Brian Furey Senior Manager of Funding Coimisiún na Meán Brooke Keesling Animation Talent Recruiting & Development Bryan O’ Connell Vice President of Children’s Television, The Jim Henson Company Catherine Moylan Head of Department, Department of Creative Media, Faculty of Creative Performing Arts & Media, MTU Chapman Maddox BBC Studios Chris Dicker Artist and Creator Cillian Grant DAM Cole Delaney Video & Podcaster Producer for Cartoon Brew and CEO of Any-mation Coleman Farrell Head of Skills and Professional Development, Screen Ireland Colin Williams Head of Positivity (and Creative Director), Sixteen South Colm Tobin Managing Director, Turnip + Duck Colm Tyrrell Head of Studio Production Boulder Media Colum Slevin Chief Product Officer, StoryToys Conor Harrington Courtney Arumugam Head of Development/Executive Producer Blink Industries Dáire Bohan CEO and Founder, Bura Games Dale Robinson Owner/Producer, Treehouse Republic Daniel Chis Game developer Daniel Gies Co-Founder, Creative & Technical Director at E.D.Films Daniel Cresswell Senior Account Manager Enterprise – UK & Nordics, Wacom

• Dara McGarry Head of Outreach DNEG Animation • Darragh O’ Connell Creative Director, BBF / 9 Story Media Group, Murakami Award Recipient (2018) • Dave Ingham, Writer • David Park Managing Director, Dream Games Animation • Dee Stevens Development Producer, Tiger Aspect Kids • Deirdre Barry Programme Director, National Talent Academy for Animation • Deirdre Ní Choistín Director General TG4 • Dom Gardiner Cake Entertainment • Dylan Haskins BBC podcast Commissioner • Eileen Bell Murakami Award Recipient (2022) • Eimear O’Mahony Executive Producer, RTÉ KIDS • Eleanor Coleman Executive Producer, Blue Spirit Creative • Emily Horgan Kids YouTube & Streaming Specialist • Emmet O’Neill CEO, StoryToys • Emily Paige Co-Fondatrice, Directrice Générale, E.D Films • Emma McGoldrick Assistant Project Executive, Content, Consumer and Business Services, IDA Ireland • Ethna Murakami (Jimmy T. Murakami Award) • Fran Alberigi Manager Production & Development, Global Kids & Family • Gary Timpson Managing Director & Owner, Kavaleer • Gavin Lawler CEO & Founder Innov8 Creative Academy • Gillian Higgins SVP of Production (Europe) Brown Bag Films • Gobnait Burke FET-HE Programme Development Coordinator • Grace Gannon Assistant Director| Media Funding Coimisiún na Meán • Grace Loughrey Assistant Commissioner for 0-12 animation and Northern Ireland indies BBC • Graham Holbrook Creative Director, Treehouse Republic • Grainne McGuinness Creative Director, Paper Owl Films • Guido Möller Senior Training & Technical Consultant, Wacom • Guy Phenix Commissioning & Acquisitions BBC • Helen McAleer IP Executive • Hiromi Hasegawa – Producer, Kinema Citrus and Global Anima Challenge Project Sub-Lead • Ian Hamilton Founder & Producer, Elk Studios • Ian Sayers Creative Enablement & Digital Growth Consultant - attending with Wacom • James Farrell Senior Vice-President of Consumer and Digital Technology for IDA • Jean Kitson Head of Kitson Press Associates • Jenni MacNeaney Head of Studio Operations at Boulder Media • Jean-Francois Leroux (JF) DFX Supervisor, DNEG • Jennie Stacey, Vice President, Development at Brown Bag Films / Scholastic Entertainment • Jennifer Lyons VP, Consumer Tech, Content and Business Services, IDA Ireland • Jens Opatz Freelance Commissioning Editor & Writer • Jill Beecher Production Designer for TV & Film • Jo Allen Commissioning Editor for Animation 7+ BBC

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Jocelyn Christie SVP & Publisher, Kidscreen John Reynolds Executive Producer Sow You Entertainment Jonothan Clarke Managing Director, Distillery Films John Kelly Filmmaker (Retirement Plan) John Loughrey Rural Development Officer, NEWKD John O’Sullivan MIB The Howden Group John Rice CEO Jam Media Joseph Learoyd Head of Animation Pulse College JP Vine Creative Director, Dream Games Animation Julie-Ann Dean Voice Actor and Owner of Scripts Out Loud Julien Borde Président Mediawan Kids & Family Karen Davidsen, Producer Karey Kirkpatrick Writer/Director Kate Morton Senior Head of Commissioning & Acquisitions 0-6 BBC Kate O’Connor UK Screen Alliance Kathy Bradley Tertiary Manager, Further Education and Training Katie Davies Writer, Story & Script Consultant for Film & Television Keiichiro Saito – Director Kenny Legg Market Advisor at Enterprise Ireland, Germany Kirsten Hurd Commissioning Editor, TVOkids Kirsten Shiel WIA Ireland Co-Chair Kyle Jenkins Acquisition & Programme Director, Milkshake!

Lena Byrne Founder, D11 Stories Lís Ní Dhálaigh Stiúrthóir Margaíochta, Forbartha, Comhpháirtíochta TG4 Lorcán Murphy MIB the Howden Group Lorna MacMahon, Skills Development Coordinator - Animation, Games, VFX and New Technologies Lucy McClune Enterprise Ireland, Trade Development Executive, Toronto Lynne Guthrie WIA Ireland Co-Chair Lynsey O’Callaghan, Senior Director, Nickelodeon International Acquisitions and Current Series, Paramount Kids and Family Mark Cumberton COO Jam Media Mark Gordon Head of Score Draw Music Marty Boylan Head of Animation, MTU Max Minor Producer, Green Street Pictures Merlin Roche DAM Michael Algar Producer, Murakami Award Recipient (2024) Moya McHugh Studio Meala Neasa McLaughlin Producer, RTÉ

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Nora Keely Senior Animation Production Executive Ollin Flynn Enterprise Ireland, IRE Orion Ross Vice President, International Animation Disney Branded Television Peter Lord Co-founder and Creative Director, Aardman Animation Philippe Alessandri CEO & Founder, Watch Next Media Philip Agerbech MINT Rasmus Dige MINT Rej Bourdages Storyboard Artist Richard Gordon Managing Director - Belfast at Jam Media Richard Goldsmith Executive VP, Kids & Family Sales and Brands, Blue Ant Media Rob David Senior Creative Executive & Vice President at Mattel Television Studios Robert Grace Senior Client Adviser, Digital Technologies Sector Team at Enterprise Ireland Roisin Chapman Animation Ireland Róisín Ní Thuairisg BLOC TG4 Ronan McCabe CEO Animation Ireland Rose Goggin Enterprise Ireland Sarah Benson Animator Sarah Muller Senior Head of Commissioning & Acquisitions 7+ BBC Scott McDonnell CTO, Jam Media Sean Cunningham Creative Director, Studio Meala Sean McNally Market Advisor, Digital Technologies US Sean Smith Skills & Talent Development Manager, Cultural & Creative Industries Skillnet Sergio Calabria BCFE Shamik Majumdar Director, Development & Current, International Animation, Disney Shauna Cullen Producer, Jam Media Steve Woods Cel’ Division, Murakami Award Recipient (2023) Susan Gallagher Market Executive France, Enterprise Ireland Suzanne Kelly Head of Children’s and Young People’s Content RTÉ KIDS Takafumi Nakame - Producer Tanya Green SVP Development and Current Series at Mainframe Studios in Canada Tara Billik VP Features, The Jim Henson Company Tomm Moore Co-founder and Creative Director of Cartoon Saloon, Murakami Award Recipient (2015) Trevor Courtney Director, Producer and Creator, Igloo Animations Tyler Martin Lead on kids genre, ITV Vanessa Robinson Co-Founder & Showrunner, Little Moon Animation Will Cartwright-Harwood, Animated Series, Netflix