This year’s Kilkenny Animated Festival will take place in Kilkenny City from October 4th – 6th 2024, and will feature a stellar lineup including Disney legend, Glen Keane.
Hosted by five-time Oscar-nominated animation studio, Cartoon Saloon – whose 25th anniversary celebrations will form part of this year’s programme – BAFTA-winning Lighthouse Studios, and Schweppe Curtis Nunn Events, Kilkenny Animated is a celebration of the creativity and craft of animation, set against the backdrop of medieval Kilkenny in the heart of Ireland’s Ancient East.
Among the first guests to be announced is Academy Award-winning director, Glen Keane. A 38-year veteran of Walt Disney Feature Animation, Glen created many beloved characters such as The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, The Beast, Tarzan, and Rapunzel. Glen’s collaboration with John Williams and the late Kobe Bryant, Dear Basketball, received the 2018 Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film.
More programme info coming soon!
4th October
Launch Night Laughs with Kevin McGahern
Kevin McGahern, known for his sharp wit and offbeat comedic charm, will have you in stitches during this unforgettable evening of laughter featuring a stellar lineup of comedic talent! Kevin, a beloved figure on the Irish comedy scene, promises to deliver a performance packed with side-splitting jokes and quick-fire banter.
Don’t miss out on this night of top-tier comedy at Kilkenny Animated—where the art of laughter comes to life! Whether you’re a comedy aficionado or just looking for a great night out, this is the event for you.
5th October
Cartoon Saloon short films at Butler Gallery
Cartoon Saloon, celebrating 25 years in 2024, is a five-time Academy Award®nominated , BAFTA and Emmy winning animation studio founded and still helmed by directors Paul Young, Tomm Moore and Nora Twomey. From award-winning shorts (Cúilín Dualach, Late Afternoon and Screecher’s Reach) to feature films (The Secret of Kells, Song of the Sea, The Breadwinner, Wolfwalkers and My Father’s Dragon) and TV series (Skunk Fu, Puffin Rock, Dorg Van Dango and Silly Sundays), Cartoon Saloon has carved a special place in the international Animation industry.
No booking required for this event
Glen Keane is an Oscar-winning animator and director with over 50 years of experience.
Much of this time was spent at Walt Disney Feature Animation, where he brought to life some of the most beloved characters in film history, including Ariel from The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, The Beast, Pocahontas, Tarzan, and Rapunzel.
In this exclusive masterclass, Glen will share his vast knowledge and insights into the art of animation, guiding participants through the creative process that has made his work iconic. The session will also feature a live animation demonstration.
Watch Out! How to Master the Art of Observation with Joanna Quinn and Les Mills
In Watch Out! How to Master the Art of Observation, Joanna is joined by her partner in life and work, Emmy-award winning producer, Les Mills, to examine some of the elements that have led to their success. Drawing on examples from two of their award-winning shorts, Elles and Britannia, Joanna will reveal how she uses the simple technique of observation to create work that truly connects with audiences.
The Making of John Musker’s new short “I’m Hip” with screening
Join us for an exclusive event at Kilkenny Animated, where animation legend John Musker, co-director of Disney classics like The Little Mermaid and Aladdin, will share insights from his storied career. In a rare opportunity, Musker will discuss the making of his latest short film, I’m Hip – which will be screened as part of the event.
John Musker is a 40 year veteran of the Walt Disney Animation Studio where he was an animator, writer, director, and producer.
Let’s talk Animation with Glen Keane, Joanna Quinn, John Musker and Imogen Sutton
Join us for an extraordinary panel at Kilkenny Animated, featuring four of the animation world’s most esteemed creatives. This unique event offers an exclusive opportunity to hear from legendary animators and filmmakers Glen Keane, Joanna Quinn, Imogen Sutton, and John Musker as they share insights from their illustrious careers.
The National Talent Academy for Animation team will be onsite in the Cartoon Saloon studios to meet with anyone who’d like to know more about studying or working in Animation.
NTAA Director Deirdre Barry, Programme Coordinator Martina Keane and industry professional Chloe O’ Connor will be available to review portfolios, chat through job opportunities in the industry and generally answer questions on animation in Ireland.
No booking required for this event
PATHWAYS: Portfolio Reviews – 2nd level – Colleges
Come meet some of Ireland’s leading animation colleges as they chat through samples of your work.
Expect feedback and advice about your work and also what they might look for in portfolios from incoming students.
10.30am – 11.30am – TUS Athlone
11.45am – 12.45pm – IADT
1.00pm – 2.00pm – SETU Carlow
2.15pm – 3.15pm – TUS Clonmel
3.30pm – 4.30pm – Ballyfermot CFE
No booking required for this event
PATHWAYS: Panel – Studying Animation; what’s that like?
Wondering what it might be like to study Animation in a 3rd level setting? Come and hear from a panel of students who are currently studying animation in different colleges in Ireland as they discuss how the reality compared with their expectations, and what advice they would give to prospective students.
Suitable for 2nd level students (parents and guardians also welcome).
6th October
Animation Workshop with Fran Bravo. (Ages 3-6)
Join artist Fran Bravo for a fun drawing workshop for young children and their parents/carers, based on Cartoon Saloon’s Silly Sundays TV series.
Fran is running another workshop at 1:00pm,
Age range: 3-6yrs (children must be supervised by guardian)
Adventures in Animation: Talk, Screening and Signing with Imogen Sutton
Kilkenny Animated is honoured to welcome Imogen Sutton to this year’s festival for the launch of Adventures in Animation – the eagerly anticipated biography of famed animator – and Imogen’s husband – Richard Williams.
Imogen will take to the stage to share some memorable moments from Richard’s career using curated clips from his inspirational talks and sharing creative collaborations from their life together. Their professional collaborations include Prologue, nominated for an Academy Award in 2015 – which will be screened as part of this talk – and The Animator’s Survival Kit, widely regarded as the definitive manual for animation.
Animation Workshop with Fran Bravo. (Ages 3-6)
Join artist Fran Bravo for a fun drawing workshop for young children and their parents/carers, based on Cartoon Saloon’s Silly Sundays TV series.
Fran is running another workshop at 11:30am.
Age range: 3-6yrs (children must be supervised by guardian)
PATHWAYS: Careers In Screen – 3rd level
Wondering about the step from college to career? Join Aninka Badenhorst and Colm Dowling from Lighthouse Studio for an overview of the animation pipeline and the many different kinds of roles within it.
Suitable for Third Level Students.
Take a pad and pencils or charcoal and join Luca Zupancic in a leisurely stroll around Kilkenny city. Explore some of the streetscapes and surroundings that offer daily inspiration to our crew, and build on your confidence and drawing skills in this fun group activity.
Tour starts at 10am. Meet under Arch gate at Kilkenny Castle (opposite The Design Centre)
Age 12+ (under 16’s must be accompanied by a parent/guardian, tickets required for all participants)
Bring your own Sketching Materials(hard back, sketch pad, refill & drawing material)
Duration 90 minutes
PATHWAYS: Technology in Animation
Wondering if you can turn your animation hobby or qualifications into a job? Come and hear about the different softwares that studios are using, as well as the opportunities that exist to further develop your interests into industry-standard job skills.
The National Talent Academy for Animation team will be onsite in the Cartoon Saloon studios to meet with anyone who’d like to know more about studying or working in Animation.
NTAA Director Deirdre Barry, Programme Coordinator Martina Keane and industry professional Chloe O’ Connor will be available to review portfolios, chat through job opportunities in the industry and generally answer questions on animation in Ireland.
No booking required for this event
This talk is ideal for anyone working on commissions or looking to start their own business. Speakers will guide you through the do’s and don’ts of working for yourself.
Moderated by Deirdre Barry, Director of the National Talent Academy for Animation.
PATHWAYS: Life as a new entrant & my journey to here
Join crew from some leading Irish animation studios in a discussion on the challenges and rewards of studio life and how the reality compares with expectations.
Moderated by animation producer Deirdre Barry, Programme Director of the National Talent Academy for Animation.
AI in Practice: Exploring New Horizons.
Nick Dorra is a seasoned animation professional who now finds himself at the forefront of AI technologies, helping animation studios navigate the impending AI wave, balancing its risks and rewards.
Joining the discussion is Grace Dinan, a thought leader in XR creative technology with over 16 years of experience in real-time design and virtual production; Ellen Byrne, creative director of Curiosity Studios, known for integrating innovative digital techniques into traditional storytelling; and Michael Gubbins, a respected consultant and analyst from Sampo Media, who specialises in the film and media sectors, focusing on digital transformation and the changing patterns of media consumption.
PATHWAYS: Being Neurodivergent in Animation
Discover the fascinating world of animation through the unique lens of neurodiverse creators. Join us for an insightful discussion as talented individuals share their journeys, challenges, and triumphs in breaking into the animation industry while embracing their neurodiverse identities. Gain valuable insights into the creative processes and perspectives that set neurodiverse animators apart.
Screening: Future Visions – Irish Graduate Animation 2024
Talent-spot rising stars in the next generation of Irish animation as we screen 2024 graduate showreels from IADT, TUS Athlone, TUS Clonmel, Ballyfermot CFE and SETU Carlow.
FREE drop in screenings throughout the day.
4pm-6pm in the SET Theatre
RATED 15
Iconic and game-changing, Akira is the definitive anime masterpiece! Katsuhiro Otomo’s landmark cyberpunk classic obliterated the boundaries of Japanese animation and forced the world to look into the future. Akira’s arrival shattered traditional thinking, creating space for movies like The Matrix to be dreamed into brutal reality.
Neo-Tokyo, 2019. The city is being rebuilt post World War III when two high school drop outs, Kaneda and Tetsuo stumble across a secret government project to develop a new weapon – telekinetic humans. After Tetsuo is captured by the military and experimented on, he gains psychic abilities and learns about the existence of the project’s most powerful subject, Akira. Both dangerous and destructive, Kaneda must take it upon himself to stop both Tetsuo and Akira before things get out of control and the city is destroyed once again.
4th - 6th October
