Wolfwalkers directors, Tomm Moore and Ross Stuart of Kilkenny's Cartoon Saloon, said being nominated for a Golden Globe Award "is the win for us".
The beautifully animated medieval folktale, which is set in and around the studio's home city during the Cromwellian atrocities of the 17th century, is in the running for Best Motion Picture - Animated, alongside The Croods: A New Age, Onward, Over the Moon and Soul.
Speaking on The Ray D'Arcy Show on RTÉ Radio 1 shortly have today's announcement, Stuart said: "It's a really tough category but just to get the nomination is the win for us.
"Especially over in America too, you're up against big studios, but just to get nominated we were all cheering for that."
When asked if they reckon Cartoon Saloon could be heading for a fifth Oscar nomination based on today's success, Moore remained mum on the matter.
"I am a superstitious person. I refuse to comment on this," he laughed.
The childhood friends said they are hopeful Wolfwalkers will still get a big screen release when cinemas reopen.
"WildCard are our distributors here in Ireland and the UK and they are a fantastic team. They'll give it another run if they get the chance.
"We'd love to have Irish audiences to be able to see it in cinemas like it was intended."
#Wolfwalkers has been nominated for the Best Motion Picture - Animation at the @goldenglobes
— Wildcard Distribution (@WildCardDistrib) February 3, 2021
Congratulations @tommmoore @RossStewartArt and all at @CartoonSaloon 👏👏👏#GoldenGlobes https://t.co/qPUmZz6t6B
The awards ceremony, hosted by Tina Fey in New York and Amy Poehler in Los Angeles, takes place on Sunday, February 28.
Click here to see the complete list of all this year's Golden Globe nominations in every category.
