The Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Josepha Madigan T.D., today (Friday) launched the Kilkenny Animated Festival at the world renowned Cartoon Saloon Studios. Kilkenny Animated is a brand new festival of visual storytelling, incorporating cartoons, animation and illustration in a series of exhibitions, talks, performances, workshops and experiences that celebrate the creativity and craft of the visual image taking place around various venues in Kilkenny City from 23rd to 25th February.
Speaking today, Minister Madigan said:
“’Kilkenny Animated’ is not just an opportunity to network - it is a genuine reason to celebrate the substantial achievements of your industry here in Kilkenny. It is the very exemplar of the value of creativity and that is why I am delighted to announce that I am providing a grant of €15,000 towards the festival this year as part of the Government’s Creative Ireland Programme."
Commenting on Cartoon Saloon's recent nomination for an Academy Award for "The Breadwinner", the Minister also said
"I know that our fingers will be firmly crossed as we watch the ceremony in the Dolby Theatre, Los Angeles on March 4th. To be nominated alone is fantastic – to get a third nod for Cartoon Saloon is just astonishing. It is my sincere hope that in little over a week's time that you will have the title "Academy Award Winner" to add to your ever growing CV's."
Welcoming the event, Fáilte Ireland’s Head of Festivals, Ciara Sugrue said:
“This first ‘Kilkenny Animated’ festival was developed in response to Failte Ireland’s ‘What the Big Idea?’ initiative where we looked for new and innovative ideas for new festivals in Ireland with strong appeal to international visitors. The ‘Kilkenny Animated’ festival was one of four events developed from hundreds of submissions under the initiative and we have committed financial support to the festival for three years to allow it to develop and grow. The festival very much fits with Failte Ireland’s ‘Ireland’s Ancient East’ brand which – amongst other things - promotes Ireland as a country with the best storytellers in the world.”
Earlier in the day Minister Madigan also launched the National Youth Film School 2018, an annual one-of-a-kind opportunity to work at a professional level on a broadcast quality film production, attracting young people from all over Ireland, Europe and even the USA. The Minister wished the organisers and the students well saying:
"Enjoy the experience, along with the camaraderie of your fellow students. I have no doubt that the National Youth Film School will continue to play a key role in Irish cultural life in the years to come, and I look forward to seeing the exciting talent that they uncover."