Congratulations to Boyle based animation company – Studio Meala – who were the winners of the ‘Best Newcomer Award’ at last Friday night’s Irish Animation Awards.
Studio Meala are based in the Spool Factory Co Working Hub in Boyle and earlier this year announced that the news that they had ‘closed the financing for their first animated TV series which is currently in production’.
In another local connection, Boyle native Paul Young’s Cartoon Saloon was the big winner on the night, coming away with four awards in total, including Best Irish Feature or Special.
Commenting on the awards ceremony, Animation Ireland Chief Executive, Ronan McCabe, said; ‘’This was the most competitive year any of us have ever seen at the Irish Animation Awards. It has never been harder to win an Irish Animation Award and judging by the way the animation industry is growing in Ireland, it isn’t going to get any easier next time. It’s really heartening to see that the sector has continued to produce outstanding work and that the future remains bright for Irish animation. As with every other year, the 2021 Irish Animation Awards is a time to celebrate the strength and vibrancy of the sector.’’
Ronan went on to say; ‘’One award that we were especially pleased with is Best Student Film, won this year by Cora McKenna for Shergar. Animation Ireland has been working hard over the past five years to develop job opportunities in animation and to encourage more students to get involved in a great career choice.’’
The Irish Animation Awards were sponsored this year by Screen Ireland, RTÉ, Northern Ireland Screen, Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, Animation Skillnet, Screen Skills Ireland, Gorilla Post, Toon Boom Animation, Philip Lee, Brophy Gillespie and Laztech.
Winners of each category received a statuette designed by animator, film maker and teacher Eimhin McNamara. The statuette resembles a Phenakistoscope which was an early animation device used to create an illusion of motion.
Animation Ireland is the trade association for Ireland’s animation studios, representing 32 member studios, who employ more than 2,000 people nationwide. The sector has seen meteoric growth in recent years, with the sector now generating almost €200 million for the economy annually, as Irish animation projects are viewed in over 120 countries worldwide.
This year’s event was broadcast live online and was hosted by Irish TV and radio star Baz Ashmawy.
