ÉIRU, the new short film from Academy Award® nominated studio Cartoon Saloon (The Secret of Kells, Song of the Sea, WolfWalkers) is one of 15 Animated Shorts shortlisted for the 98th Academy Awards®. 113 animated shorts qualified for the 2026 Academy Awards® with the shortlisted 15 going forward for nomination voting which begins January with the 5 final nominated films announced on Thursday, January 22, 2026.
Éiru producer Nora Twomey “We are delighted to be one of two Irish Animated Shorts to be shortlisted for the Academy Awards®. We have our fingers crossed for the next stage in January when 5 Oscar® Nominees are picked from the 15 shortlisted films, we hope Éiru will be one of them.”
Written and Directed by Cartoon Saloon veteran Giovanna Ferrari, and produced by Academy Award®-nominee Nora Twomey (The Breadwinner), the short film Éiru has played film festivals worldwide, and took home numerous awards including RiverRun International Film Festival, Galway Film Fleadh, Heartland Indy Shorts Film Festival, Dublin Animation Film Festival, Fantasia International Film Festival and Animation is Film.
Éiru writer and director Giovanna Ferrari reflects on the shortlist announcement saying “Out of over 100 eligible animated shorts considered for shortlisting, we are incredibly proud that our short film, made with love by our international and incredibly talented team, was selected to be among the 15 shortlisted animated short films. It’s incredible to share this achievement with such an impressive selection of wonderful short films. From the whole crew, we thank the Academy and all the people who have watched the movie and shared their reactions with us for giving us this amazing chance of sharing our movie with an even bigger audience.”
Éiru Synopsis
Éiru is the smallest child of an Iron-Age clan. All she wants is to be a mighty warrior who is taken seriously by her kinfolk. But when the village’s well mysteriously dries up, only she is small enough to descend into the belly of the earth to investigate and bring the water of life back to her people. Éiru is the story of a child in search of a challenge, and a goddess in search of a champion. Éiru is funded by Cartoon Saloon, Screen Ireland/Fís Éireann and BCP Asset Management.
Éiru was produced in association with HerStory, founded by award winning social innovator Melanie Lynch. Éiru educational programmes can be accessed through www.herstory.ie
Éiru’s score by Leo Pearson, along with its original song Amhrán Éiru, by Ceara Conway and Leo Pearson are available on all streaming platforms.
- Writer and Director: Giovanna Ferrari
- Producer: Nora Twomey
- Cast: Coco Teehan Roche, Michael McGrath, Richie Cody, Niamh Moyles, Susie Lamb, Lydia Deegan, Lucy Philpott, David Bergin, Paul Young
- Art Director: Áine Mc Guinness
- Editors: Richie Cody (ACE, BFE), Nora Twomey