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Cartoon Saloon
Cartoon Saloon
Cartoon Saloon
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Cartoon Saloon is an Irish animation film, short film and television studio based in Kilkenny which provides film TV and short film services. The studio is best known for its animated feature films The Secret of Kells, Song of the Sea, The Breadwinner and Wolfwalkers. Their works have received five Academy Award nominations, their first four feature length works all received nominations for Best Animated Feature[2][3][4][5] and one for Best Animated Short Film (Late Afternoon).[6][7] The company also developed the cartoon series Skunk Fu!, Puffin Rock, Dorg Van Dango and Vikingskool. As of 2020, the studio employs 300 animators.

Key Information

History

[edit]

Cartoon Saloon was established in Kilkenny during 1999 by Tomm Moore, Nora Twomey,[8] and Paul Young.[9] The three were all alumni of the Ballyfermot College of Further Education’s animation degree course.[10] Cartoon Saloon began working on a trailer for its first feature film, The Secret of Kells, that same year.[11] However, the film did not enter full production until 2005; the company animated corporate work such as advertisements as they searched for funding.[11] Meanwhile the studio of 12 animators relied on commercial and corporate work including web-site design and CD ROM production with Paul Young focusing on illustration whilst Tomm Moore undertook the animation.[12]

Both The Secret of Kells and the studio’s second feature Song of the Sea were inspired by The Thief and the Cobbler and Mulan while the founders were in university.[13] Tomm Moore, the director of both films, said "Some friends in college and I were inspired by Richard Williams' unfinished masterpiece The Thief and the Cobbler and the Disney movie Mulan, which took indigenous traditional art as the starting point for a beautiful style of 2D animation. I felt that something similar could be done with Irish art."[14] A 2001 meeting with Les Armateurs proved instrumental in the effort to secure funding for The Secret of Kells, and the company helped in the production of the final film.[15]

Logo used from 2008 to 2018

The success and Oscar nomination of the film in 2009 led to major offers for Cartoon Saloon, but the studio chose to remain independent.[16] This led to a difficult time financially for the company for a few years with the partners having to take out personal loans to keep the studio afloat.[17]

As of 2021, Cartoon Saloon is in production of its TV series, Vikingskool and Nora Twomey's second feature for Netflix, My Father's Dragon.[18]

Services

[edit]

The studio provides animation, illustration and design services for clients ranging from Disney to BBC to Cartoon Network.[19]

Cartoon Saloon also provided the graphics for the successful Emperor of the Irish exhibition at Trinity College Dublin, in 2014.[20]

Filmography

[edit]

Feature films

[edit]

Released

[edit]
Title Release date Budget Gross Rotten Tomatoes Metacritic
The Secret of Kells[a] 3 March 2009
19 March 2010 (US) 		$8 million[21] $3.5 million[21] 90%[22] 81[23]
Song of the Sea[a] 19 December 2014 (US)
10 July 2015 (UK & Ireland) 		$7.5 million $4.4 million[24] 99%[25] 85[26]
The Breadwinner[a] 17 November 2017 (US)
25 May 2018 (UK & Ireland) 		$1 million[citation needed] $4.4 million[27] 95%[28] 78[29]
Wolfwalkers[a][30][31][32] 30 October 2020 (UK Limited)
13 November 2020 (US Limited)
4 December 2020 (Ireland Limited)
11 December 2020 (Apple TV+)[33] 		€10 million[34] $1.3 million[35] 99%[36] 87[37]
My Father's Dragon 4 November 2022 (UK US and Ireland Limited)
11 November 2022 (Netflix) [38] 		TBA TBA 87%[39] 74[40]
Puffin Rock and the New Friends 14 July 2023 (Ireland Limited)
11 August 2023 (UK Limited)
16 April 2024 		TBA $51K[41] 100%[42] TBA

Upcoming

[edit]
Title Release Ref.
Julián 2026 [43][44][45]
Kindred Spirits 2026 [46]

Cancelled

[edit]
Title Note
Skunk Fu![47] Based on the TV series of the same name.

Short films

[edit]
# Title Release date
1 From Darkness [48] 13 July 2002 (2002-07-13)
2 Cúilín Dualach[49] 16 October 2004 (2004-10-16)
3 Old Fangs[50] 1 July 2009 (2009-07-01)
4 Somewhere Down the Line[51] 12 July 2014 (2014-07-12)
5 The Ledge End of Phil: From Accounting 15 November 2014 (2014-11-15)
6 Late Afternoon[a][52] 2018 (2018)
7 There's a Monster In My Kitchen[53] 22 October 2020 (2020-10-22)
8 Star Wars: Visions: Screecher's Reach 4 May 2023 (2023-05-04)
9 Éiru[54] 2025 (2025)

Television series

[edit]

Produced

[edit]
# Title Premiere date End date Network
1 Skunk Fu! 2007 2008 CBBC
2 Anam an Amhráin 2009 2010 TG4
3 Puffin Rock 2015[55] present[56] RTÉjr/Nick Jr./CBeebies
4 Cúl an Tí 2018 2018 TG4
5 Dorg Van Dango[57][58][59] 2020 2021 RTÉ/Nickelodeon/Family Channel, co-produced with WildBrain
6 Vikingskool[60] 2022 2022 Disney EMEA (Disney+), France Televisions, NRK, RTÉ
7 Silly Sundays 2023 present RTÉjr/Cartoon Network

Upcoming

[edit]
# Title Premiere date End date Network
8 Ellie the Ace[61] TBA TBA
9 Untitled Cartoon Saloon series[62] Apple TV+

Rejected

[edit]
Title Note
Eddie of the Realms Eternal[63] Pitched to Amazon
The World According to Winnie the Pooh[64]

Cooperative works

[edit]

Lighthouse Studios

[edit]

Lighthouse Studios was founded in 2017 by the studio and Mercury Filmworks.

Year Title Role Notes
2015–2021 If You Give a Mouse a Cookie Co-production With Kuboaa! and Amazon Studios
2017–2019 Pete the Cat Co-production With Amazon Studios, Alcon Television Group, Appian Way Productions and Surfer Jack Studios
2019–2020 The Bug Diaries[65] Co-production
2021 Little Ellen Co-production With Ellen Digital Ventures, Telepictures and Warner Bros. Animation
2022 The Cuphead Show! Co-production With Netflix Animation, King Features Syndicate and Studio MDHR
2022 The Bob's Burgers Movie Co-production With Bento Box, Golden Wolf, and Tonic DNA, among others
2022 El Deafo[66] Co-production
2023 Rick and Morty (season 7)[67] Co-production For 5 episodes, with Williams Street and Justin Roiland's Solo Vanity Card Productions!, among others

Other

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
2010 Santa's Apprentice[68] Co-production Animation production by Gaumont Alphanim
2011 Top Cat: The Movie[69] Co-production Animation production by Ánima Estudios, as well as Illusion Studios
2012 Moon Man[70][71] Co-production Animation production by Schesch Filmkreation
2014 The Prophet Segment (On Love) Animation production by Ventanarosa
2021 Belle[72][73] Background work Animation production by Studio Chizu

Awards and nominations

[edit]

The Secret of Kells

[edit]
Wins
Nominations

Song of the Sea

[edit]
Year Award Category Recipients Results
2014 Festival International des Voix du Cinéma d'Animation (Port Leucate, France)[78] Prix Spécial du Jury Song of the Sea Won
2015 42nd Annual Annie Awards[79] Best Animated Feature Tomm Moore, Paul Young Nominated
Character Design in an Animated Feature Production Tomm Moore, Marie Thorhauge, Sandra Anderson, Rosa Ballester Cabo Nominated
Directing in an Animated Feature Production Tomm Moore Nominated
Music in a Feature Production Bruno Coulais & Kíla Nominated
Production Design in an Animated Feature Production Adrien Merigeau Nominated
Writing in an Animated Feature Production Will Collins Nominated
Editorial in an Animated Feature Production Darragh Byrne Nominated
19th Satellite Awards[80] Best Animated or Mixed Media Feature Song of the Sea Won
40th César Awards[81] Best Animated Feature Film Song of the Sea Nominated
87th Academy Awards[82] Best Animated Feature Tomm Moore and Paul Young Nominated[3]
12th Irish Film & Television Awards[83] Best Film Song of the Sea Won
Best Film Script Will Collins Nominated
28th European Film Awards[84] Best Animated Feature Film Song of the Sea Won
2016 6th Magritte Awards[85] Best Foreign Film in Coproduction Song of the Sea Nominated
21st Empire Awards[86][87] Best Animated Film Song of the Sea Nominated
2017 2nd Irish Animation Awards[88] Best Irish Feature Film or Special Song of the Sea Won

The Breadwinner

[edit]
Award Date of ceremony Category Recipients Result Ref.
Academy Awards 4 March 2018 Best Animated Feature Nora Twomey and Anthony Leo Nominated [89]
Annie Awards 3 February 2018 Best Animated Feature — Independent The Breadwinner Won [90]
Character Design in an Animated Feature Production Reza Riahi, Louise Bagnall, Alice Dieudonné Nominated
Directing in an Animated Feature Production Nora Twomey Nominated
Music in an Animated Feature Production Mychael Danna, Jeff Danna Nominated
Production Design in an Animated Feature Production Ciaran Duffy, Julien Regnard, Daby Zainab Faidhi Nominated
Storyboarding in an Animated Feature Production Julien Regnard Nominated
Voice Acting in an Animated Feature Production Saara Chaudry Nominated
Laara Sadiq Nominated
Writing in an Animated Feature Production Anita Doron Nominated
Editorial in an Animated Feature Production Darragh Byrne Nominated
Canadian Screen Awards 11 March 2018 Best Picture Andrew Rosen, Anthony Leo, Paul Young, Tomm Moore, Stéphan Roelants Nominated [91][92]
Best Adapted Screenplay Anita Doron Won
Best Editing Darragh Byrne Nominated
Best Sound Editing Nelson Ferreira, John Elliot, J. R. Fountain, Dashen Naidoo, Tyler Whitham Won
Best Original Score Mychael Danna, Jeff Danna Won
Best Original Song "The Crown Sleeps", Qais Essar and Joshua Hill Won
Critics' Choice Movie Awards 11 January 2018 Best Animated Feature The Breadwinner Nominated [93]
Golden Globe Awards 7 January 2018 Best Animated Feature Film The Breadwinner Nominated [94]
Golden Tomato Awards 3 January 2018 Best Animated Movie 2017 The Breadwinner 4th Place [95]
Irish Animation Awards 23 March 2019 Best Irish Feature Film or Special The Breadwinner Won [96]
Los Angeles Film Critics Association 13 January 2018 Best Animated Film The Breadwinner Won [97]
Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association 8 December 2017 Best Animated Feature The Breadwinner Nominated [98]

Wolfwalkers

[edit]
Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
Academy Awards 25 April 2021 Best Animated Feature Tomm Moore, Ross Stewart, Paul Young and Stéphan Roelants Nominated [99][100]
AFI Fest 23 October 2020 Narrative Feature Tomm Moore and Ross Stewart Won [101]
Alliance of Women Film Journalists 4 January 2021 Best Animated Feature Film Wolfwalkers Nominated [102]
Best Animated Female Eva Whittaker Nominated
Honor Kneafsey Nominated
American Cinema Editors Awards 17 April 2021 Best Edited Animated Feature Film Darragh Byrne, Richie Cody, Darren Holmes, ACE Nominated [103]
Annie Awards 16 April 2021 Best Animated Feature – Independent Wolfwalkers Won [104]
Best FX for Feature Kim Kelly, Leena Lecklin, Frédéric Plumey, Almu Redondo and Nicole Storck Nominated
Best Character Animation - Feature Emmanuel Asquier-Brassart Nominated
Best Character Design - Feature Federico Pirovano Won
Best Direction - Feature Tomm Moore and Ross Stewart Won
Best Music - Feature Bruno Coulais and Kíla Nominated
Best Production Design - Feature María Pareja, Ross Stewart and Tomm Moore Won
Best Storyboarding - Feature Guillaume Lorin Nominated
Best Voice Acting - Feature Eva Whittaker Won
Best Writing - Feature Will Collins Nominated
Art Directors Guild Awards 10 April 2021 Excellence in Production Design for an Animated Film Ross Stewart, Tomm Moore and Maria Pareja Nominated [105]
Austin Film Critics Association Awards 19 March 2021 Best Animated Film Wolfwalkers Won [106]
Boston Society of Film Critics Awards 13 December 2020 Best Animated Film Wolfwalkers Runner-up [107]
BAFTA's Children & Young People Awards 27 November 2022 Best Feature Film Tomm Moore, Ross Stewart and Paul Young Won [108]
British Academy Film Awards 11 April 2021 Best Animated Film Tomm Moore, Ross Stewart and Paul Young Nominated [109]
Chicago Film Critics Association Awards 21 December 2020 Best Animated Film Tomm Moore, Ross Stewart, Nora Twomey and Paul Young Won [110]
Critics' Choice Super Awards 10 January 2021 Best Animated Movie Wolfwalkers Nominated [111]
Best Voice Actress in an Animated Movie Honor Kneafsey Nominated
Eva Whittaker Nominated
Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association Awards 10 February 2021 Best Animated Film Wolfwalkers Runner-up [112]
Detroit Film Critics Society Awards 8 March 2021 Best Animated Feature Wolfwalkers Nominated [113]
Dorian Awards 18 April 2021 Most Visually Striking Film Wolfwalkers Nominated [114]
Dublin Film Critics' Circle Awards 18 December 2020 Best Irish Film Wolfwalkers Won [115]
European Film Awards 1 December 2021 Young Audience Award Tomm Moore and Ross Stewart Nominated [116]
Best Animated Feature Film Nominated [117]
Florida Film Critics Circle Awards 21 December 2020 Best Animated Film Wolfwalkers Runner-up [118]
Georgia Film Critics Association 12 March 2021 Best Animated Film Wolfwalkers Nominated [119]
Golden Globe Awards 28 February 2021 Best Animated Feature Wolfwalkers Nominated [120]
Golden Rooster Awards 30 December 2021 Best Foreign Language Film Wolfwalkers Nominated [121]
Gotham Awards 11 January 2021 Audience Award Wolfwalkers Nominated [122]
Best International Feature Tomm Moore, Ross Stewart, Paul Young, Nora Twomey and Stéphan Roelants Nominated
Hollywood Critics Association Awards 5 March 2021 Best Animated or VFX Performance Honor Kneafsey Nominated [123]
Best Animated Film Wolfwalkers Won
Hollywood Music in Media Awards 27 January 2021 Best Original Score in an Animated Film Bruno Coulais Nominated [124]
Houston Film Critics Society Awards 18 January 2021 Best Animated Film Wolfwalkers Nominated [125]
IndieWire Critics Poll 14 December 2020 Best International Feature Wolfwalkers 7th place [126]
International Cinephile Society Awards 20 February 2021 Best Animated Film Tomm Moore and Ross Stewart Nominated [127]
International Film Music Critics Association Awards 18 February 2021 Best Original Score for an Animated Film Bruno Coulais Won [128]
Irish Animation Awards 21 May 2021 Best Animation Sequence Wolfwalkers Won [129]
Best Art Direction and Design Wolfwalkers Won
Best Editing Wolfwalkers Won
Best Irish Feature or Special Wolfwalkers Won
Best Music Wolfwalkers Nominated
Best Sound Design Wolfwalkers Nominated
Best Storyboarding Wolfwalkers Nominated
Irish Film & Television Awards 4 July 2021 Best Film Wolfwalkers Won [130]
Best Film Director Tomm Moore and Ross Stewart Nominated
Best Film Script Will Collins Nominated
London Critics Circle Film Awards 7 February 2021 Technical Achievement Award Tomm Moore and Ross Stewart Nominated [131]
Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards 20 December 2020 Best Animated Film Wolfwalkers Won [132]
Motion Picture Sound Editors Awards 16 April 2021 Outstanding Achievement in Sound Editing – Feature Animation Sebastien Marquilly, Bruno Seznec, Christian Seznec, Baptiste Bouche, Felix Davin, Alexandre Fleurant, Axel Steichen, Stéphane Werner, Anne-Lyse Haddak and Florian Fabre Nominated [133]
National Board of Review 26 January 2021 Top 10 Independent Films Wolfwalkers Won [134]
New York Film Critics Circle Awards 18 December 2020 Best Animated Film Wolfwalkers Won [135]
Online Film Critics Society Awards 25 January 2021 Best Animated Feature Wolfwalkers Nominated [136]
Producers Guild of America Awards 24 March 2021 Outstanding Producer of Animated Theatrical Motion Pictures Paul Young, Nora Twomey, Tomm Moore, and Stéphan Roelants Nominated [137]
San Diego Film Critics Society Awards 11 January 2021 Best Animated Film Wolfwalkers Won [138]
San Francisco Bay Area Film Critics Circle Awards 18 January 2021 Best Animated Feature Wolfwalkers Nominated [139]
Satellite Awards 15 February 2021 Best Animated or Mixed Media Film Wolfwalkers Won [140]
Seattle Film Critics Society Awards 15 February 2021 Best Animated Feature Wolfwalkers Won [141]
St. Louis Gateway Film Critics Association Awards 17 January 2021 Best Animated Film Wolfwalkers Nominated [142]
Toronto Film Critics Association Awards 7 February 2021 Best Animated Film Wolfwalkers Won [143]
Ursa Major Awards 2 May 2021 Best Motion Picture Wolfwalkers Won [144]
Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Awards 8 February 2021 Best Animated Feature Wolfwalkers Nominated [145]
Best Voice Performance Honor Kneafsey Nominated
Women Film Critics Circle Awards 7 March 2021 Best Animated Female Eva Whittaker Runner-up [146]
Honor Kneafsey Nominated

My Father's Dragon

[edit]
Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
Animation is Film Festival 22 October 2022 Special Jury Prize Award My Father's Dragon Won [147][148]
Hollywood Music in Media Awards 16 November 2022 Best Original Song in an Animated Film Mychael Danna, Jeff Danna, Frank Danna, Nora Twomey, Meg LeFauve ("Lift Your Wings") Nominated [149]
Annie Awards 25 February 2023 Best Animated Feature – Independent My Father's Dragon Nominated [150]
Outstanding Achievement for Directing in a Feature Production Nora Twomey Nominated

Late Afternoon

[edit]

Puffin Rock

[edit]
Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) Result Ref(s)
Kidscreen Awards 9 February 2016 Best New Series, preschool Won [154][155]
Best Animated Series, preschool Won
Annie Awards 4 February 2017 Best Animated Television/Broadcast Production For Preschool Children Puffin Rock - The First Snow - Episode: 59 Nominated [156]
Outstanding Achievement, Production Design in an Animated TV/Broadcast Production Lily Bernard for The First Snow - Episode: 59 Nominated
Outstanding Achievement, Writing in an Animated TV/Broadcast Production Davey Moore for The First Snow - Episode: 59 Nominated
International Emmy Kids Awards 10 April 2018 Best preschool program Nominated [157][158]

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Cartoon Saloon

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Cartoon Saloon is an independent Irish animation studio based in Kilkenny, specializing in hand-drawn 2D animation for feature films, short films, and television series, often drawing inspiration from , mythology, and global stories. Founded in 1999 by , , and , the studio has garnered international acclaim for its distinctive visual style and narrative depth, earning five Award nominations across its projects. Its breakthrough feature, (2009), directed by , received the studio's first Oscar nomination for Best Animated Feature, followed by (2014), also by Moore, which won multiple awards including the European Film Award for Best Animated Feature Film. Subsequent films The Breadwinner (2017), directed by , and (2020), directed by Moore and Ross Stewart, each secured additional Oscar nominations for Best Animated Feature, while the short Late Afternoon (2017), directed by Louise Bagnall, was nominated for Best Animated Short Film. The studio has also produced television content, including the Emmy-nominated preschool series Puffin Rock (2013–2016) and its sequel Puffin Rock and the New Friends (2020–2022), as well as projects like the series Vikingskool (2022). In addition to its productions, Cartoon Saloon co-founded and hosts the annual Kilkenny Animated festival, a major event celebrating animation and visual storytelling since 2017. The studio's commitment to artist-driven storytelling and traditional techniques has led to further recognition, including two Golden Globe nominations and wins at festivals worldwide, with recent honors such as the 2025 Manchester Animation Festival Fellowship Award and a jury prize for the short Éiru (2025) at the Animation Is Film Festival.

History

Founding and early development

Cartoon Saloon was founded in 1999 in Kilkenny, , by , , and , who had met while studying at Ballyfermot College in . The trio established the studio as a hand-drawn cooperative, deeply inspired by the rich traditions of and , aiming to create original content rooted in their . In its early years, the studio operated from a modest space in Kilkenny provided by the local organization Young Irish Filmmakers, starting with small-scale commissioned work to sustain operations. This included creating simple animations, graphics, e-cards, and illustrations for schoolbooks targeted at local clients, which allowed the founders to hone their skills while building a foundational portfolio. The studio's initial creative output featured short films that experimented with hand-drawn techniques influenced by folklore, such as Nora Twomey's From Darkness (2002), an adaptation of an Inuit tale that marked their entry into narrative animation. These early projects began exploring stylistic elements drawn from illuminated manuscripts and Celtic art, setting the stage for more ambitious Irish-themed works. Throughout the early 2000s, Cartoon Saloon encountered substantial hurdles, particularly in securing consistent funding, which forced Young, Moore, and Twomey to rely on personal loans to maintain the studio and gradually assemble a team of local artists from Kilkenny and surrounding areas. These financial strains underscored the challenges of in Ireland at the time, yet they fostered a resilient, community-oriented approach to production.

Key milestones and expansions

Cartoon Saloon's debut , The Secret of Kells, released in 2009, marked the studio's breakthrough into international recognition. Directed by , the film premiered at festivals such as the Gérardmer International Fantastic Film Festival and , earning acclaim for its hand-drawn animation inspired by Irish illuminated manuscripts. It received an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Feature in 2010, the first for an Irish animated film and a pivotal moment that elevated the studio's profile beyond short films. The success of in 2014 further propelled the studio's growth, securing another Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Feature in 2015 and multiple festival wins, including the Audience Award at . This acclaim enabled significant expansion, with Cartoon Saloon hiring additional staff to reach over 100 employees by the mid-2010s and investing in enhanced in-house production facilities in Kilkenny, , to support larger-scale projects. In 2017, the studio formed a partnership with Canada's to establish Lighthouse Studios in Kilkenny, creating 140 new jobs and expanding capacity for subcontracting and original content. Throughout the 2010s, Cartoon Saloon built collaborative networks across and , culminating in the 2017 co-production of The Breadwinner with Aircraft Pictures in and Melusine Productions in . Directed by , the film addressed themes of resilience in and premiered at the , earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Feature in 2018. These partnerships positioned Cartoon Saloon as a leading force in European , fostering cross-border creativity while maintaining artistic control. By 2020, the studio had amassed three consecutive Academy Award nominations for its features—The Secret of Kells, Song of the Sea, and The Breadwinner—solidifying its reputation for innovative storytelling rooted in cultural heritage. This string of accolades, combined with strategic expansions, transformed Cartoon Saloon from a small Irish outfit into a globally respected animation powerhouse.

Recent developments (2020s)

In the early , Cartoon Saloon navigated significant production challenges due to the , particularly with the release of its feature film in 2020. The film, directed by and Ross Stewart, faced delays in both production and distribution; originally slated for a September premiere on Apple TV+, it was postponed to December amid cinema closures and transitions, with compositing teams relying on limited home bandwidth in Ireland. This shift toward streaming platforms became a broader trend for the studio, exemplified by in 2022, directed by and produced in partnership with . Originally planned for a 2021 Netflix debut, the film encountered pandemic-related delays but ultimately premiered exclusively on the streaming service, highlighting Cartoon Saloon's adaptation to hybrid distribution models that prioritized digital accessibility over traditional theatrical runs.) Marking a milestone in 2024, Cartoon Saloon celebrated its 25th anniversary with a series of events, including retrospectives at the BFI London Film Festival featuring curated screenings of its works, which underscored the studio's profound influence on Irish animation by elevating Celtic folklore and hand-drawn techniques to global acclaim. The occasion also spotlighted new sustainability initiatives, such as the launch of the interactive Puffin Rock Habitats biodiversity exhibition in collaboration with national parks and Creative Ireland, aimed at promoting environmental awareness through animation, building on the studio's earlier B-Corp certification and carbon neutrality efforts supported by Tipperary Energy Agency. In 2024–2025, the studio produced the Éiru, directed by Giovanna Ferrari and produced by , which premiered at international festivals including Fantasia, where it won the Satoshi Kon Award for Excellence in Animation (Best – Silver), and later secured the Special Jury Prize for Shorts at the Animation Is Film Festival in 2025. This Celtic myth-inspired project, focusing on a warrior clan's quest amid vanishing water, qualified for Oscar consideration and continued Cartoon Saloon's tradition of festival acclaim. In November 2025, Cartoon Saloon received the Manchester Animation Festival Fellowship Award, honoring over 25 years of influential contributions to animation. Amid post-2022 industry shifts toward digital workflows and streaming dominance, Cartoon Saloon expanded its production capabilities through digital transformation programs, integrating tools for hybrid animation that blend traditional hand-drawn artistry with software for efficiency, as seen in focused initiatives to enhance remote collaboration and sustainable practices.

Animation style and techniques

Artistic influences

Cartoon Saloon's visual and thematic identity is profoundly shaped by Irish Celtic art, most notably the intricate illuminations of the , an 8th-century that serves as a cornerstone for the studio's debut feature, . This influence manifests in the use of elaborate knotwork patterns, vibrant color palettes, and flat, stylized perspectives that echo medieval Irish artistry, creating a timeless aesthetic that bridges historical manuscripts with contemporary animation. The studio further draws from Irish folklore, incorporating mythical creatures such as selkies—seal-people who transform into humans—and the púca, a shape-shifting spirit often depicted as a mischievous horse or goat, to infuse their narratives with elements of wonder and the supernatural. These motifs are not merely decorative but central to storytelling, as seen in the Irish Folklore Trilogy, where ancient legends are reimagined to reflect Ireland's cultural heritage. This integration of allows Cartoon Saloon to blend mythological roots with modern themes, exploring family bonds, personal loss, and through lenses like over disappearing traditions and the clash between nature and human encroachment. For instance, in , lore underscores themes of familial separation and cultural erosion in a late-20th-century setting. Over time, the studio's style has evolved from the painterly, hand-drawn aesthetics of its early shorts—characterized by fluid 2D lines and occasional mixed-media elements like —to more complex, layered, and textured visuals in feature films, enhancing depth while preserving an artisanal, -inspired essence. To ensure authenticity, Cartoon Saloon conducts extensive research into Irish and mythology, consulting cultural experts and artists to faithfully represent elements.

Production methods

Cartoon Saloon specializes in hand-drawn 2D animation, where artists create every frame manually using digital tools to achieve an organic, painterly quality. The studio employs TVPaint software for this process, allowing animators to draw directly on digital tablets with custom brushes that mimic traditional media like and watercolor, resulting in textured, fluid lines and backgrounds. This approach combines artisanal drawing techniques with digital efficiency, preserving the tactile feel of hand-crafted art while enabling precise control over color and shading. The studio maintains a fully in-house production pipeline that spans from initial storyboarding to final , fostering close among small teams of artists. Storyboards are developed digitally to outline flow, progressing through layout, character posing, and FX before integration in stages, often reviewed via tools like for iterative feedback. This streamlined workflow emphasizes direct communication and multiple revision cycles, allowing directors and animators to refine visuals in real-time without external dependencies. Innovations in Cartoon Saloon's methods include the integration of hybrid 2D/3D elements, as seen in Wolfwalkers, where Blender software was used to generate 3D models that were then hand-drawn over in 2D to create dynamic depth and movement. This technique blends traditional flat animation with subtle volumetric effects, enhancing scenes like wolf transformations without compromising the hand-drawn aesthetic. Additionally, by the 2020s, the studio adopted sustainable practices such as fully digital workflows and carbon-neutral initiatives, significantly reducing paper consumption through tablet-based storyboarding and rendering. To support local talent, Cartoon Saloon runs training programs in partnership with initiatives like the National Talent Academy for Animation, focusing on adapting traditional skills—such as and life drawing—to digital tools like TVPaint and . These courses target regional artists in Kilkenny, providing hands-on instruction to build a skilled workforce capable of merging heritage techniques with modern production demands.

Key personnel

Founders and leadership

Cartoon Saloon was co-founded in 1999 by , , and , who met while studying animation at Ballyfermot College of Further Education in . The trio established the studio in Kilkenny, , with a shared vision to create hand-drawn animated works inspired by and culture, drawing on their complementary skills in production, direction, and artistry. This foundational leadership has guided the studio through its growth into an internationally acclaimed animation powerhouse, emphasizing independent storytelling over commercial expansion. Paul Young serves as co-founder and CEO, overseeing business operations, international distribution, and strategic partnerships since the studio's inception. As managing director, he has been instrumental in securing funding and co-productions for Cartoon Saloon's projects, including navigating the studio's transition from short films and commercials to feature-length animations. Young's focus on sustainable growth has enabled the studio to maintain its artistic integrity while expanding its global reach, such as through deals with and Apple TV+. Tomm Moore, co-founder and creative director, leads the studio's artistic vision, particularly in integrating and folklore into its narratives. He has directed key feature films like (2009), emphasizing innovative hand-drawn techniques that blend historical influences with contemporary themes. Moore's role extends to art direction, storyboarding, and animation supervision across multiple projects, fostering a collaborative environment that prioritizes emotional depth and visual poetry. Nora Twomey, co-founder and creative director, directs the studio's artistic development, with a focus on projects exploring gender dynamics and social issues. She helmed The Breadwinner (2017), an Academy Award-nominated film addressing resilience in conflict zones, and has contributed as producer and head of story on series like Puffin Rock. Twomey's leadership emphasizes empowering diverse voices in animation, including mentoring emerging artists and co-creating content like the series Dorg Van Dango. As of 2025, Cartoon Saloon's leadership structure remains centered on its three co-founders, who continue to shape its direction following the studio's 25th anniversary celebrations in , with no publicly announced expansions to the core executive team. This stable triad has sustained the studio's reputation for high-quality, artist-driven amid ongoing projects like the short Éiru.

Notable directors and artists

Animators specializing in visual development have played a pivotal role in defining Cartoon Saloon's distinctive aesthetic, particularly in achieving the ethereal watercolor effects seen in (2014). Jeremy Purcell contributed key effects animation, designing dynamic water splashes that integrated hand-painted textures with fluid motion to evoke the film's mythical Irish seascape. These techniques involved layering traditional watercolor scans over digital animation, allowing organic bleeds and variations to enhance the narrative's sense of wonder and . In (2020), lead animators focused on character design to support the film's energetic action sequences, blending human and lupine forms in transformative scenes. Sandra Norup Andersen served as character designer and lead posing artist, developing model sheets for protagonists like and Mebh that emphasized expressive, fluid poses to capture the wild, shape-shifting dynamics of wolf-human interactions. Her work ensured that the hand-drawn animation conveyed rapid movements and emotional intensity, drawing from Celtic motifs while prioritizing naturalistic wolf behaviors in chase and transformation sequences. Rising talents have emerged through Cartoon Saloon's projects, showcasing innovative directing styles. Giovanna Ferrari, who previously contributed as a and on features like The Breadwinner (2017) and (2020), wrote and directed the 2025 short Éiru, a Celtic-inspired tale of a young warrior confronting a goddess. Ferrari's direction highlights themes of courage and environmental balance, utilizing the studio's signature 2D hand-drawn approach to blend lush landscapes with symbolic motifs. Similarly, Louise Bagnall directed the Oscar-nominated short Late Afternoon (2017), exploring memory through a elderly woman's daily rituals, further demonstrating the studio's support for internal voices in short-form storytelling. Cartoon Saloon has advanced diversity initiatives by fostering female artists and inclusive creative teams, particularly evident in The Breadwinner, where women like and head of story Giovanna Ferrari helped shape the film's poignant depiction of Afghan girls' resilience under rule. The studio partnered with organizations like Strawberry Words in 2025 to integrate equity, diversity, and inclusion practices into its culture, promoting underrepresented talents and collaborative environments. This commitment, rooted in Kilkenny's local talent pool, has amplified female contributions across projects, earning recognition such as the 2017 Women in Animation Diversity Award received by co-founder for her direction of The Breadwinner.

Filmography

Feature films

Cartoon Saloon's feature films are renowned for their hand-drawn and rooted in , , and personal journeys of self-discovery. The studio has produced six feature-length animations to date, beginning with its debut in and evolving toward streaming platforms in the . These films often draw from cultural narratives, emphasizing themes of heritage, resilience, and growth, with runtimes typically ranging from 75 to 103 minutes. The studio's inaugural feature, (2009), directed by with co-direction by , follows a young boy in medieval who aids in completing an amid Viking threats. Featuring voices including as Abbot Cellach and Evan McGuire as Brendan, the 75-minute film had a of $8 million and was distributed theatrically by in the , grossing approximately $686,000 domestically. In 2014, Moore directed Song of the Sea, a 93-minute tale of a boy and his selkie sister embarking on a quest to revive ancient magic and heal their family. The voice cast highlights include Gleeson as Conor, as Granny, and as Ben, with a budget of about €5.3 million; handled US distribution, leading to a worldwide gross of $4.2 million. The Breadwinner (2017), directed by Twomey, is a 94-minute adaptation of Deborah Ellis's novel about an disguising herself as a boy to support her family under rule. Notable voices feature as Parvana and Soma Chhaya as Shauzia; executive produced by , it was distributed by with a domestic gross of $312,000. Co-directed by Moore and Ross Stewart, Wolfwalkers (2020) runs 103 minutes and centers on a young hunter's daughter who discovers a hidden clan in 17th-century . The cast includes as Robyn, as Bill, and Eva Whittaker as Mebh, backed by a $11.25 million budget from Apple; managed limited theatrical release before streaming on Apple TV+, amid constraints. Twomey's My Father's Dragon (2022), a 99-minute Netflix original based on Ruth Stiles Gannett's book, depicts a boy's fantastical to rescue a . Voices led by as Elmer and as Boris marked the studio's full pivot to streaming distribution. Puffin Rock and the New Friends (2023), directed by Steve Woods and Ash Hughes, extends the studio's TV series into an 80-minute feature about young puffins racing to save a lost egg while exploring friendship and . The ensemble voice cast includes returning characters like Kate McIlwaine as , emphasizing themes of belonging and courage. Across these features, particularly the Irish Folklore Trilogy (, , and ), recurring motifs include , familial bonds, and protagonists' personal growth through confronting loss and identity. Later works like The Breadwinner and extend this to global tales of empowerment and adventure. The 2020s saw a shift to streaming, with on Apple TV+ and subsequent releases on , broadening accessibility beyond traditional theatrical models exemplified by distributions. As of 2025, Cartoon Saloon has announced Julián, an upcoming feature adapting Ann Cameron's book about a boy's quest for a lost stuffed animal, directed by Twomey and emphasizing themes of and community; it is pencilled for a 2026 release and currently in production. Several of the studio's features, including the Trilogy, have earned Academy Award nominations for Best Animated Feature.

Short films

Cartoon Saloon has produced over 20 short films since its founding in 1999, many of which serve as experimental platforms for developing unique styles, themes, and innovative techniques that later influence their feature works. These shorts, typically ranging from 5 to 15 minutes in length, are often self-funded or supported by grants such as the Irish Film Board's Frameworks scheme, allowing the studio to explore painterly visuals, hand-drawn , and narrative depth without commercial pressures. They frequently premiere at international festivals like and , garnering critical acclaim and awards that highlight the studio's artistic versatility. Among the earliest shorts is From Darkness (2002), directed by Nora Twomey with a runtime of approximately 8 minutes, based on an Inuit folktale about a lonely fisherman who drifts into haunted waters in search of food and confronts supernatural elements. It premiered at the Cork International Film Festival and established the studio's early focus on atmospheric, hand-drawn animation. Similarly, Cúilín Dualach (2004), also directed by Twomey and running about 12 minutes, adapts a traditional Irish legend about a dual-natured warrior child, emphasizing fluid character design and cultural storytelling; it screened at the Ottawa International Animation Festival. These initial works tested foundational techniques like layered ink and watercolor effects, laying groundwork for the studio's signature style. In the late 2000s, Old Fangs (2009), directed by Adrien Merigeau with a length of around 10 minutes, explores lore in a modern context, blending horror elements with empathetic character arcs; it debuted at the and won the audience award there. Moving into the , Late Afternoon (2017), written and directed by Louise Bagnall and lasting 8 minutes, poignantly examines memory and aging as an elderly woman relives her life through everyday objects like and biscuits, utilizing a distinctive painterly technique with shifting, dreamlike colors to evoke emotional transitions. Funded by the Frameworks program, it premiered at the , where it won the Cristal for Best , and received an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated . This short exemplified Cartoon Saloon's role in prototyping innovative visual styles, such as evolving forms and textured environments, that pushed beyond traditional 2D animation. More recent productions include Éiru (2025), directed by Giovanna Ferrari with a runtime of about 9 minutes, which weaves environmental around a child's descent into the earth to retrieve vanished water for their village, confronting a in a tale of courage, nature's balance, and ecological urgency. Produced by and self-funded with festival support, it premiered at the in June 2025, winning the Jury Prize at the Animation Is Film Festival later that year, and has been selected for screenings at events like the Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia. Through such shorts, Cartoon Saloon continues to refine its hand-drawn, myth-infused approach, often grant-supported to prioritize artistic experimentation over broad distribution.

Television series

Cartoon Saloon has produced several animated television series primarily targeted at children, emphasizing adventurous storytelling, cultural elements, and educational themes through hand-drawn . Their involvement ranges from full production to co-production and animation services, often in collaboration with international partners. Early works like Skunk Fu! marked the studio's entry into episodic television, while later series such as highlight their focus on preschool audiences with Irish-inspired narratives. Skunk Fu!, a martial arts-themed comedy series, was developed and produced by in co-production with Telegael Teoranta and Millimages, consisting of 52 episodes of 22 minutes each. Aired from 2007 to 2009 on networks including in the US and Europe, in the UK, and ABC in , the show follows a young training to defend his valley from invading ninjas, blending humor and action for children aged 6-11. Puffin Rock, a co-produced by and Dog Ears, features 79 seven-minute episodes across its first two seasons from 2013 to 2016, with a third season of 21 episodes premiering in September 2025. Narrated by , it centers on puffin siblings and Baba exploring Irish island wildlife and learning about nature, friendship, and family, aimed at children aged 2-5. The series originally aired on in Ireland and Nick Jr. in the UK, with international distribution on , , and ; the third season continues on , , , and . Other series include Vikingskool (2022–present), a co-production with Samka Productions and , comprising 52 eleven-minute episodes for children aged 6-11, following young Viking trainees in humorous adventures; it airs on and Disney+. Dorg Van Dango (2020–2021), co-produced with , features 52 eleven-minute episodes about a boy and his magical friends in a seemingly normal town, broadcast on channels worldwide for ages 6-11. Additionally, Cartoon Saloon produced Irish-language educational series like Cúl an Ti (2014, 13 episodes on , focusing on home life for preschoolers) and Anam an Amhráin (2015, music-based learning on ). No major new television series were announced following the studio's 2024 25th anniversary celebrations, though their ongoing work continues to emphasize folklore-inspired animation for young audiences.

Collaborations and services

Studio partnerships

Cartoon Saloon established a significant in 2017 with Canada's to form Lighthouse Studios, a with 50% ownership shared between the two entities. This Kilkenny-based studio focuses on 2D animation production, leveraging combined resources to create high-quality content and foster a in Ireland. The alliance has enabled shared expertise in techniques, job creation exceeding 140 positions by 2020, and expanded access to international markets through collaborative projects. In the European context, Cartoon Saloon has pursued co-productions supported by the Creative Europe MEDIA programme, facilitating alliances with studios across the continent. For instance, the studio's 2014 feature was developed in partnership with in , The Big Farm in , and Nørlum in , allowing for cross-border funding and creative input that enhanced its folklore-inspired narrative. These collaborations, often showcased at events like Cartoon Forum, provide access to EU grants for co-development and promote shared knowledge in hand-drawn animation styles. By 2025, Cartoon Saloon continued these joint ventures, including the animated series Natu Natu, co-produced with Superprod Animation in and in , which was highlighted at the Cartoon Forum for its nature-themed storytelling. Such partnerships underscore benefits like pooled technical resources and broader distribution networks, enabling Cartoon Saloon to reach global audiences while preserving its Irish-rooted artistic identity.

Commissioned works

In its formative years during the , Cartoon Saloon sustained operations through freelance services, including graphics, advertisements, and TV idents for Irish broadcasters such as and , which helped establish the studio's reputation in the local industry. These early commissions focused on culturally resonant content, leveraging the studio's hand-drawn style to create short-form pieces that aligned with Irish broadcasting needs. A prominent example of such work is Anam An Amhráin (2013), a -commissioned series of 10 animated shorts reinterpreting traditional Irish Gaelic songs, produced in collaboration with Sónta Productions and featuring music by artists like . The project, which included pieces such as "Bean Pháidín" and "An Gréasaí Bróg," showcased the studio's ability to blend folklore-inspired visuals with musical narratives, airing as educational and cultural content on the Irish-language channel. Similarly, the studio contributed to Cúl an Tí (2018), another initiative animating traditional Irish songs to preserve and promote Gaelic heritage through vivid, illustrative sequences. Beyond domestic broadcasters, Cartoon Saloon expanded into international commissioned projects, providing specialized animation for global films and series. For ' anthology film The Prophet (2014), the studio animated the segment "On Love," directed by and Ross Stewart, which featured a dreamlike sequence of ethereal figures and natural motifs set to music by and . In 2021, Cartoon Saloon collaborated with Japan's on Mamoru Hosoda's Belle, delivering surreal 2D for key scenes in the virtual world "U," enhancing the film's blend of digital and hand-drawn aesthetics. More recently, the studio animated "Screecher’s Reach," an original short for Disney+'s Star Wars: Visions Volume 2 (2023), which earned an Emmy for Outstanding Individual Achievement in in the Production Design category and explored themes of isolation through stark, atmospheric visuals. These commissions, including work for clients like and , have diversified the studio's portfolio beyond Irish themes, incorporating projects for international ad campaigns and other studios' productions. By 2025, Cartoon Saloon continues to balance such service-based revenue—primarily from commercials and contributions to external features—with its original independent films, using these funds to underwrite creative risks in hand-drawn animation. This model has allowed the studio to maintain artistic independence while scaling its output, with commissioned work comprising a steady portion of operations alongside high-profile originals.

Awards and nominations

Academy Awards and Golden Globes

Cartoon Saloon has received significant recognition from the and the , earning multiple nominations across their animated works despite no wins to date. These accolades highlight the studio's innovative hand-drawn style and rooted in and global themes, positioning it as a leading force in . By 2025, the studio's consistent presence in these prestigious categories has elevated the profile of Irish on the international stage, fostering greater investment and visibility for the industry. The studio has garnered four nominations for Best Animated Feature Film at the . Their debut feature, (2009), directed by , was nominated at the in 2010. This was followed by (2014), also directed by Moore, at the in 2015. Nora Twomey's The Breadwinner (2017) received a at the in 2018. Most recently, (2020), co-directed by Moore and Ross Stewart, was nominated at the in 2021. In addition to feature nominations, Cartoon Saloon earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Short Film with Late Afternoon (2017), directed by Louise Bagnall, at the 91st Academy Awards in 2019. For the Golden Globe Awards, the studio has two nominations in the Best Animated Feature Film category. The Breadwinner was nominated at the 75th Golden Globe Awards in 2018. Wolfwalkers followed with a nomination at the 78th Golden Globe Awards in 2021.
YearAwardCategoryFilmResult
2010 (82nd)Best Animated FeatureThe Nominated
2015 (87th)Best Animated FeatureSong of the Nominated
2018 (90th)Best Animated FeatureThe BreadwinnerNominated
2018 (75th)Best Animated The BreadwinnerNominated
2019 (91st)Best Animated Late AfternoonNominated
2021 (93rd)Best Animated FeatureNominated
2021 (78th)Best Animated Nominated
These nominations underscore Cartoon Saloon's role in advancing hand-crafted techniques and diverse narratives, contributing to a broader appreciation of non-studio blockbusters in global cinema.

Other major awards

Cartoon Saloon's films have garnered numerous accolades at the , recognizing excellence in production. Their 2020 feature secured five wins at the in 2021, including Best General Independent Feature, Best Direction in a Feature (Tomm Moore and Ross Stewart), Best Character Design in a Feature (Alice Farrell and Jean-Claude Dondaine), Best Production Design in a Feature (Alice Farrell, Adrien Mérigeau, and Niels Höhne), and in a Feature (Tomm Moore, Nicolas Dehghani, and Sylvain Deboissy). Earlier works like (2014) and The Breadwinner (2017) received multiple nominations in categories such as Best Animated Feature and , highlighting the studio's consistent impact on . At the European Film Awards, Song of the Sea won the prize for European Animated Feature Film in 2015, selected from nominees including and , affirming its cultural resonance and artistic achievement across Europe. The film's success underscored Cartoon Saloon's ability to blend with universal themes, earning praise from the European Film Academy's over 3,000 members. Cartoon Saloon has also excelled at the , a premier event for the medium. (2009) claimed the Grand Prix for Best , while The Breadwinner triumphed with the Jury Award, Audience Award, and Award for Best Original Music in 2018. These honors reflect the studio's innovative hand-drawn style and storytelling, often rooted in historical and mythical narratives. In national recognition, Cartoon Saloon received three wins at the 2025 Irish Animation Awards, including Best Storyboarding for their television series Silly Sundays (directed by Estrela Lourenco, Oriol Vidal, and Suzanne Williams) and Best Design and Art Direction and Best Original Score for the Star Wars: Visions Volume 2 episode "Screecher's Reach". Their short film Éiru (2025) earned the Special Jury Prize for Short Films at the 2025 Animation Is Film Festival, where director Giovanna Ferrari accepted the award for its evocative depiction of environmental themes. In 2025, the studio received the Fellowship Award at the Manchester Animation Festival, recognizing over 25 years of contributions to animation. Additional industry honors include a BAFTA nomination for Wolfwalkers in the Best Animated Feature Film category in 2021, marking the studio's first entry in the awards. These achievements across festivals and guilds demonstrate Cartoon Saloon's growing international stature beyond major ceremonies.

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  113. https://goldenglobes.com/film/wolfwalkers/
  114. https://www.apple.com/tv-pr/news/2021/04/apple-original-film-wolfwalkers-wins-5-annie-awards-including-best-indie-feature-and-best-direction/
  115. https://variety.com/2021/awards/awards/soul-wolfwalkers-annie-awards-1234953449/
  116. https://www.screenireland.ie/news-archive/view/2966
  117. https://variety.com/2015/film/global/shaun-sheep-chases-european-award-1201616755/
  118. https://www.screenireland.ie/news-archive/view/986
  119. https://www.cartoonbrew.com/awards/annecy-funan-bloeistraat-11-top-2018-annecy-complete-list-of-winners-2-160328.html
  120. https://www.screenireland.ie/news/congratulations-to-the-winners-of-the-2025-irish-animation-awards
  121. https://www.irishanimationawards.ie/2025-winners
  122. https://www.iftn.ie/news/Animation/?act1=record&only=1&aid=73&rid=4296696&tpl=archnews&force=1
  123. https://www.cartoonbrew.com/awards/2021-bafta-nominees-cartoon-saloons-wolfwalkers-takes-on-pixars-soul-and-onward-202903.html
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