Set in magical Dingle, on the most westerly peninsula of Europe, Animation Dingle, in partnership with JAM Media, is now in its 8th year and celebrates student creativity and excellence in Irish and International animation.
The festival has been listed by Animation Magazine in their TOP 25 EVENTS IN THE WORLD NOT-TO-BE-MISSED!
The festival was created for students, has been moulded by them, and is composed of four parts—Conference, Workshops, Screenings and Awards.
Testimonials:
“The best festival I’ve ever attended!” Jackie Edwards, Head of BBC Children’s Animation.
Peter Lord // Aardman Studios
"I was blown away by my first visit to Animation Dingle – and I’m not talking about Atlantic gales. The status and the quality of the many speakers is outstanding – you’ll see and hear some fascinating talks from some of the best-informed, best placed people in the industry. At the same time, the presence of so many students of animation - talented, ambitious and committed gives the festival a glorious youthful energy which doesn’t end with them; there’s no shortage of energy either in the lovely team that keep the whole thing running. Add to that a beautiful location and an Irish welcome, in the pubs and out, which is just about this side of caricature and I tell you, you’ve got a recipe for a terrific experience and an irresistible festival".
Bobby Podesta // PIXAR
"Being able to speak at Animation Dingle provided an opportunity to not only share my own story as an animator in the entertainment industry over the last twenty-five years, but be reminded of the shared enthusiasm and creativity that is so abundant in the next generation of animators".
Alice Webb // BBC
"Animation Dingle is a real gem in the animation and creative industries crown. It punches well above its weight in terms of attracting top talent, execs and an ever growing array of animation students. It is rare to find such dedication, authenticity and ambition in one place – which is why people return year after year. And the glorious Kerry backdrop and very warm welcome helps too!"
"Looking out to one of the world's most beautiful places I think how blessed and lucky I am to be invited to what I regard in many ways as the future of what I think our industry will be." Tim Patterson, Nickelodeon
The festival is home to the Murakami Award for animation and recipients have included: Jimmy T. Murakami (The Snowman), Richie Baneham (Avatar), Tomm Moore (Song of the Sea), Don Bluth and Gary Goldman for their legacy, Aidan Hickey, Cathal Gaffney and Darragh O’Connell of Brown Bag Films and Nora Twomey (The Breadwinner).
Animation Dingle has seen Keynotes and presentations from Disney, Amazon Studios, Nickelodeon, Apple, Netflix, Pixar, Aardman Animations, RTÉ, CBBC, Milkshake, Channel 5, Screen Ireland, Cartoon Saloon, JAM Media, Brown Bag Films, Kavaleer, Boulder Media, Egg Post Production, Pink Kong Studios, Geronimo, Darrall Macqueen, Walker Books, Penguin, Scholastic.
Animation Dingle 2021 Animation Conference will host keynotes and panels from world leaders in animation.
The festival showcases and recognises the best of student animated film with our Student Animation Awards, as well as screening a programme of animation from Ireland and around the globe.
The festival's many events include - masterclasses, workshops, a portfolio pitching session, The Big Pitcher, YAOTY (Young Animator of the Year), Sketch Day Trail, and much more. Please see www.animationdingle.com for details closer to the time.
Special guests have included; Bobby Podesta, Supervising Animator at Pixar Animation Studios
Bonnie Arnold, Producer (Toy Story, How To Train Your Dragon)
Nora Twomey, Co-founder and Creative Director of Cartoon Saloon (The Breadwinner)
Tara Sorensen, Head of Kids Programming, Amazon Studios
Bob Peterson, Pixar (Up, Finding Nemo)
Peter Lord, Aardman Animations (Chicken Run, Early Man)
Dean DeBlois, DreamWorks (How To Train Your Dragon, Lilo & Stitch))
Russell Hicks, Nickelodeon
Orion Ross, Vice President, Content - Animation, Digital & Acquisitions Disney Channels EMEA
David Levine, VP, Programming, Production and Strategic Development, Disney Channels EMEA
Oscar winners Richie Baneham (Avatar) and Patrick Osborne (Feast)
Oscar nominated Tomm Moore (Song of The Sea, Wolfwalkers)
Dan Katcher (Game of Thrones - Dragon designer)
Ryan Woodward (Iron Man, The Avengers)
Jimmy T. Murakami (The Snowman)
David Morehead (Head of Layout on Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse)
Keith Sintay, senior animator (The Last Jedi, Solo: A Star Wars story
Matthias Lechner Art Director of Environments (Ralph Breaks The Internet, Zootopia)
Wouter Tulp Character Designer with Sony Pictures Animation
Cécile Blondel, Gobelins of Paris
Christian De Vita, Storyboard Artist (Fantastic Mr. Fox)
Professional Awards
Best Irish Animated Short Award
Professional entries via FilmFreeway from Ireland and N. Ireland considered in this category.
Best International Animated Short Award
Professional entries via FilmFreeway from all countries outside Ireland are considered in this category.
Animation Student Awards
Animation Dingle will select a number of animated short films from our submissions and exhibit the work in our unique venues throughout the festival.
The festival hosts our Animation Student Awards ceremony at the festival. On the night, our special guests to the festival present the awards to the winning students.
A representative of award nominated films will be invited to attend the awards ceremony and the festival.
Animators of selected films screening at the festival will be offered priority booking to attend the overall festival.
International and Irish Categories of student awards include:
Best International Student Animation Award
Best Director
Best Stop-motion
Irish Categories of student awards include:
Best Irish Student Animation Award
Best Design/Art Direction
Best Writer
Best Music/Sound Design
Best Character Animation
Best Combined Animation
Best 3D/CGI
Best 2D
Best Cinematography
Best Sting Award
Student's entries received from colleges
YAOTY (Young Animator Of The Year Award)
Open to Irish 4th, 5th and 6th year secondary students and students in Yr 11, Yr 12 and 6th Form in Northern Ireland.
See YAOTY on FilmFreeway for further information and how to enter.
https://filmfreeway.com/festival/YAOTY
The Big Pitcher
The winner receives a 6 month internship with JAM Media. For further information please see www.animationdingle.com closer to the time.
The Murakami Award
Recipients of this prestigious award have included Jimmy T. Murakami, Richie Baneham, Tomm Moore, Gary Goldman & Don Bluth, Aidan Hickey, Darragh O' Connell & Cathal Gaffney (Brown Bag Films), Nora Twomey (Cartoon Saloon).