The second biennial Irish Animation Awards, held in Dingle last weekend.The packed room in The Skellig Hotel, Dingle included representatives from Amazon Prime, Disney, the BBC and Netflix as well as representatives of the many animation studios in Ireland.
Other winners included Boulder Media’s Go Jetters for Best Visual Effects (VFX) as part of an Animated TV Series of Film, Vincent Gallagher’s Second to None for Best Animated Short Film and Best Music/Sound Design award was for Danger Mouse.
Animation Ireland’s second awards ceremony which was sponsored by RTÉjr, the Irish Film Board, Animation Skillnet and Philip Lee, acknowledged the outstanding creative talent within the Irish animation, visual effects and gaming industries.
A special Murakami was awarded to Aidan Hickey. Aidan graduated from the NCAD with a degree in painting in 1966. After working as an artist for a time, Aidan discovered his talents were better suited to animation and he became one of the first animators to work in Ireland. He worked on an animation contract with RTÉ into the 1990s, but when that contract dissolved Aidan built up contacts with animation studios across Europe, the US and Asia As an animator, scriptwriter, director and teacher Aidan Hickey carved out one of the most admired and respected careers in the industry.
Paul Young, Industry chair Animation Ireland said: “It is fantastic to see so many in attendance at the awards which demonstrates the growth which the Irish animation industry has experienced. We Irish have a passion for storytelling and the arts – a culture which is ideally suited for the creativity of world-class animation studios and the quality of the award nominees shows this”.
Speaking at the awards, Gareth Lee, Manager, Animation Skillnet commented: “It’s great to see the Irish Animation Awards back again this year to celebrate the fantastic work being produced by the Irish animation and related industries. It looks like 2017 will be another outstanding year for the sector with lots of interesting projects and plenty of job opportunities for graduates. Tonight shows that animation in Ireland is alive and well and we are very happy to have been involved”
Sheila DeCourcy, RTÉ Group Head of Children, said: “It’s a joy for RTÉ Young Peoples to collaborate with Irish animators in bringing powerful series and short films to young and old audiences. Acknowledging their success is something that RTÉjr is proud to be part of.”
Animation Ireland are delighted to congratulate all the winners.
1. Best Animated Preschool Series (up to 6 years)
‘Lily’s Driftwood Bay’ – Sixteen South Production Team
2. Kids Choice Award for Best Animated Series
‘Roy’ – JAM Media Production team
3. Best Animated Short Film
‘Second to None’ – Vincent Gallagher
4. Best Writer for Preschool Animation (up to 6 years)
‘Doc McStuffins: Welcome to McStuffinsville’ – Chris Nee, Kent Redeker
5. Best Writer for an Animated Series
‘Roy: ROY 2.0’ – Mark Hodkinson
6. Best VFX as part of Animated TV Series or Film
‘Go Jetters’ – Rob Fletcher, Mario Bortas, Rodrigo Rocha
7. Best Animation for Apps and Gaming
‘Little Roy’s Wonder Doodler’ – Niall Mooney: Director, Will Wivell: Animator, Travis McNulty: Animator
Scott McDonnell:Producer
8. Best Design / Art Direction
‘Puffin Rock’ – Lily Bernard, Stefano Scapolan
9. Best Director of an Animated TV Series
‘Little Roy’ – Alan Shannon
10. Best Animation
‘The Day Henry Met a Camera’ – Gilly: Director, Susan Broe: Producer, Andrew Dawson: Animation Director
11. Best Music/Sound Design
‘Danger Mouse’ – Dominic Lawrence: Supervising Sound Editor & Dubbing Mixer, Sol O’Carroll: Sound Editor, Andy Kirwan: Sound Editor
12. Best Irish Feature Film or Special
‘Song of the Sea’ – Tomm Moore