An Irish animation delegation led by Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland and Enterprise Ireland will attend the World Animation Summit in Los Angeles this week to showcase the work of Irish creative talent, strengthen relationships and increase collaboration between the animation industry in Ireland and Los Angeles.
As part of the visit, the Irish delegation will have high-level meetings with major international studios including Amazon, Netflix, and Disney.
The 2022 World Animation Summit will be attended by some of the world’s leading animation studio executives and talent, featuring three days of keynote addresses, panel discussions and networking opportunities, exploring emerging trends and opportunities in the animation and VFX industries. The Consulate General of Ireland, Los Angeles will host a networking reception on Thursday.
Chief Executive of Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland, Désirée Finnegan said: “Screen Ireland is proud to lead this Irish animation delegation with Enterprise Ireland, in what is a fantastic opportunity to further strengthen our production partnerships and relationships with US studios. The growth and success of Irish animation in recent years is a testament to the sector’s resilience and ambition, both artistic and commercial. Most importantly, it showcases more of the original visual storytelling Irish animation is renowned for around the world that continues to connect with global audiences.”
Animation studios taking part in the Irish delegation include: Cartoon Saloon, Kilkenny (My Father’s Dragon, Wolfwalkers), Elk Studios, Dundalk (Moo and Roo, Cliodhna Queen of the Banshees), Giant, Dublin (Zog and the Flying Doctors, The Overcoat), Ink & Light, Dublin (Royals Next Door, Ollie), Kavaleer, Dublin (Boy Girl Dog Cat Mouse Cheese, Adam Adventure), Little Moon, Dublin (Fia’s Fairies), Moetion Films, Galway (Two by Two: Overboard), Piranha bar, Dublin (Monsta Trucks, Mya Go), Studio Meala, Boyle, Roscommon (Hermit), Treehouse Republic, Dublin (Hungry Bear Tales), and Turnip and Duck, Dublin (Critters TV, Atom Town).
“Irish animation pairs technological innovation and artistry to tell heart-warming and beautiful stories,” says Leo Clancy, CEO of Enterprise Ireland. “Here we are connecting Ireland’s leading animators, Kavaleer, Treehouse Republic, Piranha Bar, Giant Animation, and Cartoon Saloon with leading decision-makers in the world of entertainment. Enterprise Ireland is proud to support our country’s leading animators as they look to showcase our very finest talent and technology globally.”
This Irish animation delegation – which includes industry body Animation Ireland and professionals from 11 animation companies from around Ireland – represents the thriving power of the Irish animation industry, following a period of rapid growth. Animation is the fastest-growing sector within the Irish screen industry, with more than 40 animation companies in Ireland employing over 2,500 full-time staff. Between 2009 and 2019, the Irish animation sector had grown five times in size, accounting for almost 50% of all production spend in the country in 2019. This surge was further augmented by a 27% increase in local animation production spend in 2021.
Steven Davenport, Head of US Production and Partnerships at Screen Ireland, said: “Strengthening the relationships between Irish and US studios is an essential part of Screen Ireland’s presence in Los Angeles and is part of our ambition to create new opportunities for creative talent across the sector. We’re delighted to welcome each of the 11 animation companies represented in the Irish delegation and continue to support the partnerships and connections between Irish animation and the international industry.”
“This week’s World Animation Summit in Los Angeles showcases the stunning work of leading Irish animation studios,” says Killian McMahon, Head of West Coast US, Enterprise Ireland. “These Enterprise Ireland client companies have come to the US to share their outstanding innovations and transform the global digital entertainment and animation industry.”
At the World Animation Summit, Andrew Kavanagh, CEO and Founder of Irish animation studio Kavaleer, will take part in a panel discussion giving advice about how to find the right global partner.
Nora Twomey, co-founder and creative director of the Kilkenny-based, Academy Award-nominated animation studio Cartoon Saloon will take part on a panel featuring ‘Award Season Feature Contenders’, in recognition of the Studio’s highly anticipated film My Father’s Dragon, which will be released on Netflix this week. My Father’s Dragon was developed with support from Screen Ireland funding and has benefited from Section 481. Directed by Nora Twomey, it is a 2D-animated fantasy adventure film with a screenplay by Meg LeFauve who co-wrote the story with John Morgan. It is an adaptation of the 1948 children’s novel of the same name by Ruth Stiles Gannett. The film received its World Premiere at the London Film Festival this September and will be released on Netflix on November 11, 2022.