Trade association Animation Ireland (animationireland.com) announces that two of its member companies — Pink Kong Studios and Oscar-nominated Cartoon Saloon — will present world premieres of their latest short films at the 29th Galway Film Fleadh this weekend. Both Departure and Late Afternoon were funded by the Irish Film Board and RTÉ as part of the multi-award-winning Frameworks Film Scheme.
Departure, by Pink Kong Studios, is written and directed by Aoífe Doyle and produced by Niamh Herrity. The 9-minute animated short centers on an Irish grandmother’s unexpected departure from her lonely life. Faced with the prospect of yet another Christmas without her emigrated family, Alma is at an all time low, until one day forces greater than herself conspire to change her fate.
“I’m really proud of the talented crew who gave their all to this project. It’s such a thrill to see the hard work translate to screen and watch it for the first time with a live audience. We are honoured to be included in such an amazing line up of animated short films at this year’s Galway Film Fleadh,” said Doyle, whose previous work includes Urban Tails and Top Cat the Movie.
From Kilkenny studio Cartoon Saloon, Late Afternoon tells the story of Emily as she drifts through her memories, reliving moments in her life. She exists between two states, the past and the present, but struggles to connect them. The film is written and directed by Louise Bagnall, whose credits include Song of the Sea and Puffin Rock, and produced by Nuria González Blanco.
“I’m very excited to see Late Afternoon and the other shorts on the big screen at Galway Film Fleadh. It’s really the culmination of a lot of hard work and dedication from the whole team,” said Bagnall. “I am so proud of the film and I can’t wait to share it with an audience!”
The annual Galway Film Fleadh runs July 11 through July 16 this year, with other animation track highlights including the feature films Birdboy: The Lost Children and My Entire High School Sinking into the Sea. Both the short animation James Horgan Award and short drama prize are recognized by the Academy as Oscar-qualifying honors.
For more information on the Frameworks funding scheme from the Irish Film Board, click here.
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