4th Annual Animation Dingle Kicks off March 18th

Running March 18 & 19, Ireland’s Animation Dingle to feature keynote addresses delivered by Tara Sorensen, Head of Kids Programming for Amazon Studios, USA, and David Levine, General Manager of Disney Channels UK & Ireland.

DINGLE, IRELAND -- Jam Media and Dingle International Film Festival, the partnership behind Animation Dingle, have announced a near sell out of the 4th Animation Dingle Festival. Animation Dingle celebrates creativity and excellence in Irish and International animation.

Over the course of the two-day event key decision makers from Amazon, BBC, Disney, RTÉ and Nickelodeon will share insights into the many opportunities that exist in this growing and vibrant sector. Students will get to mingle with industry professionals in a thought provoking, inspiring and fun environment.

Highly anticipated keynote speeches will be delivered by Tara Sorensen, Head of Kids Programming for Amazon Studios, USA and David Levine, General Manager of Disney Channels UK & Ireland.

Further highlights of the festival include The Animation Dingle Conference on Friday, March 18th. Ireland’s top producers, including Alan Shannon (JAM Media), Paul Cummins (Telegael) and Deirdre Barry (Salty Dog) will chat with Sheila de Courcy of RTÉ about producing in Ireland.

There’s a French flavor also at this year’s festival with the renowned storyboard artist, Christian de Vita (Fantastic Mr Fox) and Cecile Blondel, from the animation school, Gobelins, participating.

Many industry leaders from Ireland and abroad attend Animation Dingle to discover new talent and inspire future creative partnerships. Events like the speed pitching session and numerous workshops over the two-day festival help to prepare the students for a career in animation. The festival also celebrates their creativity with the Animation Dingle Student Awards. Animation Dingle hopes to prepare young animators to grow the already successful story of animation in Ireland and internationally.

Other notable participants are Oscar winner Patrick Osborne, Jackie Edwards and Lucy Prkye from Children’s BBC, Pauline MacNamara of RTÉ and Alexi Wheeler from Nickelodeon.

This year, creative masterclass panels include:

  • An Animated Feature Panel - Making Movies
  • A Development Panel - The Green Light Club
  • Irish Producers Panel - Producers Pitch
  • Broadcasters Panel - Broadcasters Basics
  • Animation Colleges (Ireland & Europe) - Colleges Get Creative
  • Creative Masterclasses Patrick Osborne, Oscar Winner and Christian de Vita, Director and Storyboard Artist

Co-Founder of Animation Dingle and CEO of JAM Media John Rice commented, “We’re chuffed with the quality of the speakers, the large attendance and the quality of the screening and awards. Animation Dingle has really struck a chord with both students and industry at home and internationally. Of course, it would not be possible without the support of bodies like Enterprise Ireland and the IFB among others.”

“Dingle IFF are honored to partner with Jam Media in presenting this creative and inspiring animation event,” remarked Maurice Galway CEO/Co-Founder Dingle International Film Festival

Animation Dingle Awards:

The Murukami Award

  • This year Murukami Award is being presented to Don Bluth and Gary Goldman who were instrumental in helping establish Ireland as a hotbed of animation. Their studio employed over 400 people in the ‘80’s and ‘90’s when they made blockbuster features such as An American Tale and The Land before Time.

Dedicated to the man who is affectionately known as the father of Irish Animation, the Murakami Award recognizes outstanding achievement in animation (recipients include Jimmy T. Murakami The Snowman, Richie Baneham Avatar, and Tomm Moore Song of the Sea).

Student Animation Awards

  • In 2016, the focus is on emerging talent with the Student Animation Awards., there’s 14 categories of awards for students, and prizes include high end animation software, and beautiful leather bound sketch books, custom made in Dingle.

The main funders of the Animation Dingle festival are Jam Media, Irish Film Board, Enterprise Ireland, The Arts Council, BAI, Ealaín na Gaeltachta Teoranta, Failte Ireland, IDA Ireland, Screen Training Ireland, Údarás na Gaeltachta and The French Embassy in Ireland.  With additional support coming from Animation Skillnet, Animation Ireland, Ethiopian Airways, Final Draft, ToonBoom and TVPaint.

Source: Dingle International Film Festival