Nation gets animated for Oscars

Irish movie-lovers will be rooting for Cartoon Saloon tomorrow evening when the Kilkenny-based animation studio takes on the giants of Hollywood at the 87th Academy Awards ceremony with its feature film, Song of the Sea.

The animated film has already won the award for the Best Animation or Mixed Media Film at the 19th Satellite Awards, which is held by the International Press Academy.

Producer Paul Young and his fiancée, jewellery designer Yvonne Ross, had just landed in Los Angeles to receive the prize when they learned that they had also been nominated for an Academy Award.

Song of the Sea beat fellow Oscar nominees Big Hero 6; How to Train Your Dragon 2; and The Boxtrolls in winning the Satellite Award.

This is the second time the studio has been nominated for an Oscar.

In 2010 its first feature-length film, The Secret of Kells, was a nominee.

Director Tomm Moore said that he believes the studio has “a fighting chance” of winning an Oscar the second time round.

“I was pleasantly surprised with the nomination. I thought it was a long shot — especially considering the line-up this year.

“We are in a good position — we have a fighting chance. It is great to be nominated among such a strong mix of amazing animated films this year.”

He sees their contribution as offering an alternative to what the big American studios have to offer.

“We have heart and authenticity and we are not as commercially-focused as some of the other studios,” he said.

“Our work comes from the heart. There is a real family atmosphere here at the studio. It is a great team,” he added.

Producer Paul Young is equally excited at the nomination. “Everyone was sure that if The Lego Movie was nominated that they would win. This has thrown it all up in the air. We are delighted to be in the ring,” he said.

They have both been nominated and will attend the ceremony along with writer Will Collins, creative director Nora Twomey, producer Ross Murray, and managing director Gerry Shirren.

As the Cartoon Saloon team walks the red carpet, couture gowns by Irish fashion designers will be in the spotlight among the international fashion labels on display.

Tomm Moore’s wife, Liselott Olofsson, will be wearing a dress by Dublin-based fashion designer Jennifer Rothwell. Her striking silk dresses were first admired by Liselott on a visit to the National Craft Gallery in Kilkenny for “Second Skin”, an exhibition which commissioned four of Ireland’s leading fashion labels — Jennifer Rothwell, Joanne Hynes, Natalie Coleman and Lennon Courtney — to produce a garment or range of clothing and to document the opportunities and challenges which the process presented.

“I am passionate about designing and producing my collections here in Ireland,” said Rothwell.

“My design concept was inspired by the vivid colours and artworks of Irish artist Harry Clarke’s stained glass windows, married with Irish fairy folklore mythology.

“Both provided a wealth of inspiration to create amazing contemporary digital prints. It will be a dream come true to see one of my dresses worn at this year’s Oscars.”

Irish fashion will feature extensively at the Oscars. Nora Twomey of Cartoon Saloon will be wearing a dress designed by Maynooth-based designer Laura Jayne Halton, while jeweller Yvonne Ross, fiancé of Paul Young from Cartoon Saloon, will be walking the red carpet wearing her own jewellery with a dress by her friend, Dublin-based fashion designer Elaine McGovern.

Yvonne is a 2011 graduate of the Design & Crafts Council of Ireland Jewellery & Goldsmithing Skills & Design Course which is based in Kilkenny.

Karen Hennessy, chief executive of the Design & Crafts Council of Ireland and a director of Irish Design 2015, said it is particularly fitting to see Irish design featured in both the award nominations and on the red carpet this year. Irish Design 2015 is a year-long initiative backed by the Irish Government, celebrating Irish design throughout Ireland and internationally.

“Events and activities both at home and abroad throughout 2015 aim to raise awareness of the quality and diversity of Irish design to audiences around the world.

“We wish Cartoon Saloon the very best of luck at this year’s Academy Awards and we are delighted that Irish- designed and made evening wear and jewellery will be seen on the red carpet at this prestigious annual event which attracts so much attention globally,” she said.

The 87th Academy Awards take place tomorrow. Song of the Sea is nominated for Best Animated Feature.