Now in its fifth year and hosted by five-time Oscar-nominated animation studio, Cartoon Saloon and BAFTA-winning Lighthouse Studios, Kilkenny Animated is an annual celebration of the creativity and craft of animation
This year’s theme is The Sound of Animation, exploring the soundscapes of animation from sound design to voice acting, composing to foley recording.
Fans of the Star Wars: Visions animated series are sure to be out in force; audio guru and supervising sound editor Mac Smith, of Skywalker Sound, will join a quartet of directors for the popular series - Cartoon Saloon's Paul Young, Aardman Animation's Magdalena Osinska and directing duo Daniel Clarke & Nadia Darries - to discuss the making of their Star Wars: Visions episodes, each of which will be screened as part of a special in conversation event.
Audiences of all ages can look forward to an immersive programme of events comprising workshops, panels, talks, gigs, screenings, sketching tours and more.
Other events include special screenings of The Inventor and Philharmonia Fantastique, both presented by director Jim Capobianco of Ratatouille fame, a session where members of the public can try out voiceover work led by casting director, Louise Kiely (Normal People, The Banshees of Inisherin), plus silent-movie score composer, Neil Brand, will take audiences on a whistle-stop history of animation through music.
For second and third-level students interested in a career in the animation industry, the Pathways to Animation strand will offer a suite of talks, portfolio clinics and workshops.
There will be an opportunity to spot new talent with the best of this year's graduates in Irish animation showcasing their work.
For kids and teens there are creative workshops, including sketching tours of Kilkenny, all led by artists from Cartoon Saloon and Lighthouse Studios. Both studios will also open their doors for guided studio tours, to give audiences a glimpse of where the magic happens.
Folk legends Kíla, whose music features in several Cartoon Saloon productions, including WolfWalkers and Song of the Sea, will kick festivities off on Friday night with a live gig in the Watergate Theatre.
Kilkenny Animated takes place in Kilkenny City from September 29th – October 1st - find out more here.
