Póg mo Pigeon, the debut short from Kilkenny’s Lighthouse Studios, has won the Best Animated Short at Derry’s Academy-Award qualifying Foyle Film Festival, the studio announced today.
The short film competed in the Light in Motion competition, with winners announced at the Closing Night Gala on Sunday.
Founded in 2017, Lighthouse Studios has provided animation for hits such as Rick and Morty, The Cuphead Show! and The Bob’s Burgers Movie, and in 2022 won a BAFTA for El Deafo which the studio produced for Apple TV+.
Póg mo Pigeon is the debut short from director, Clíodhna Lyons, whose credits to date include assistant director on several of the studio’s productions.
Póg mo Pigeon is also the first professional writing credit for Polly Holland, who pitched the idea during an in-house open call. Holland had recently joined the studio through the Screen Skills Ireland Graduate Traineeship in association with Animation Ireland. Holland also served as animator on the film.
Executive Producer of Póg mo Pigeon and Managing Director at Lighthouse Studios, Claire Finn, said today: “Clíodhna and the team did an amazing job bringing Polly’s concept to life, and the jury praised the film for its originality, storytelling, and haunting beauty – something we can all take great pride in! We’re delighted to receive such praise for our first original release.”
Director, Clíodhna Lyons said: “The whole team is delighted to see their work recognised. Thank you to Foyle film festival for embracing our film, for supporting animation as a medium and for highlighting such diversity in their programming.”
Póg mo Pigeon is produced by Lighthouse Studios with post-production services by Gorilla Post. Original music composed by Brona Martin.
