The latest feature film from Cartoon Saloon and Northern Ireland’s Dog Ears is coming to cinemas across the island of Ireland from July 14th. Based on the award-winning TV series, Puffin Rock and the New Friends sees our family favourites, Oona, Baba, May and Mossy joined by a new cast of characters, as Isabelle, Phoenix and Marvin arrive on the island. It’s an action-packed story which celebrates our magnificent natural environment, and features themes of belonging, courage and friendship.
When the last Little Egg of the season disappears under mysterious circumstances, Oona and her new friends race against time to bring the Little Egg home before a big storm hits Puffin Rock and puts the entire island in danger.
Find a screening in a cinema near you on the Puffin Rock website.
Chris O’Dowd leads the cast at the Puffin Rock and the New Friends Premiere in Dublin.
Cartoon Saloon and Dog Ear’s new feature Puffin Rock and the New Friends had a double premiere over two days in June. Beginning on Saturday 24th June, the cast and crew joined the Derry premiere at Brunswick Moviebowl and on Sunday they made their way to the Odeon Point Square Cinema for the Dublin Premiere. Chris O’Dowd caught up with the young cast and happily chatted with parents and children who attended the screening.
Silly Sundays launches on RTÉ
Cartoon Saloon’s newest preschool TV series Silly Sundays made its Irish debut on RTÉ2 in July.
Silly Sundays is a feel-good animated comedy series full of heart and deeply rooted in the theme of family. Everything centres around Sonia, Hugo, Mel, Mom, Dad and Granny, on those days when there is nothing scheduled except spending time with family and friends. The stories focus on their ups, their downs and mostly their fun times as they embrace every little moment together. Set in a colourful coastal village reminiscent of our favourite holidays, Silly Sundays is an upbeat, charming show about an extended Irish family in a welcoming community. Sonia lives with her Mum, Dad and sister, Mel. Next door lives Hugo, Sonia’s cousin, who is being brought up by their Granny.
Together, they are one big family, bonding over their differences, their diversity and across generations. Today, there is no work and no school – a day of unforgettable family fun lies ahead! Silly Sundays offers a view of modern Irish diversity both on screen and throughout the production. Nuria González Blanco created and directed Silly Sundays alongside co-director Fabian Erlinghäuser (Dorg Van Dango, Wolfwalkers, The Breadwinner). The show is developed and produced with assistance from Fís Éirean/Screen Ireland, the BAI and Creative Europe.
Catch the latest episodes of Silly Sundays on the RTÉ Player:
https://www.rte.ie/player/series/silly-sundays/10001738-00-0000?epguid=IP000067873
The Puffin Rock Exhibition – Flowerfield Arts Centre, Derry
8 July – 26 August 2023
The Puffin Rock Exhibition is a celebration of the award-winning pre-school animated show created by Dog Ears, Derry and Cartoon Saloon, Kilkenny. Puffin Rock has enjoyed global success since it began broadcasting in 2014 on Nickelodeon, RTE and is available on Netflix in multiple languages. The Puffin Rock Exhibition coincides with the release of Puffin Rock and the New Friends movie, the first large scale animated movie to be made in Northern Ireland, due for release in cinemas this July. The exhibition features gorgeous artwork from the series and movie and explores the themes of friendship, environmental challenges and community, a must for all the family to enjoy!
Episodes of the TV series will screen for free at Flowerfield, Monday – Thursday 11 am – 4 pm throughout the exhibition.
https://www.flowerfield.org/exhibition/puffin-rock-by-dog-ears-cartoon-saloon-8-july-to-26-august-2023
The Ark Wolfwalkers Exhibition
Step into a world of hand drawn animation and get a glimpse of the vast work involved in creating Wolfwalkers, one of the most magical and beautiful animated Irish films of all time.
A collaboration between the Butler Gallery and five-time Oscar nominated animation studio Cartoon Saloon, this self-guided exhibition experience will share with you the story of Mebh and Robyn as they adventure into the mysterious world of shapeshifters and wolves, on a quest to find Mebh’s mother and save the last of Ireland’s wild wolves.
As you wander through the exhibition, you’ll see original art, core working drawings and backgrounds from the film, and learn some of the methods and techniques the animators used to bring the story of Wolfwalkers to life.