Kilkenny Animated 2022

Kilkenny Animated returned to its full glory this year after a brief hiatus, and boy did it make up for lost time! For three whole days, the medieval town of Kilkenny was transformed into a veritable mecca for all those who love animation. Things got off to a swinging start at the opening night party, held in The Set Theatre at Langtons, with live music from Toot Sweet and the Shadow Man.

Photo by Allen Kiely

 

Photo by Allen Kiely

The 1920’s theme for the event was partly inspired by the animation style of The Cuphead Show! and there were some stunning outfits on the night.

Photo by Allen Kiely

Photo by Allen Kiely

Photo by Allen Kiely

Photo by Allen Kiely

The theme for Kilkenny Animated 2022 was Adaptation. Being a studio that has adapted several entities for animation, Lighthouse Studios was delighted to welcome some very special guests to Kilkenny for the event, such as The Cuphead Show‘s Dave Wasson, Executive Producer, and Andrea Fernandez, Art Director, who chatted with Lighthouse Studios’ Head Creative, Gilly Fogg, about adapting the hit video game for animation.

Photo by Allen Kiely

Photo by Allen Kiely

Photo by Allen Kiely

We were also thrilled to be joined by Cece Bell, creator of El Deafo, who worked with Lighthouse Studios and Apple TV+ to bring her tale of growing up with hearing loss to screens around the world.

 

Photo by Allen Kiely

Photo by Allen Kiely

Meanwhile, Declan Shalvey, co-author of Savage Town, the source material for Lighthouse Studios’ first original TV series, was in town to chat with Tomm Moore about his influential designs and visionary visuals from Moon Knight (2014).

Photo by Allen Kiely

Photo by Allen Kiely

Kilkenny Animated also hosted a number of events aimed at helping students adapt to life in the animation industry. One such event was a talk by Lighthouse Studios’ Talent Management Director, Michael Downey, which aimed to give students guidance around getting their portfolios and CVs in shape before applying to their first roles.

Photo by Delphine Coudray

Colm Dowling, Senior Compositor at Lighthouse Studios, also participated in a panel run by the National Talent Academy for Animation about adapting to life in a studio as a graduate trainee.

Photo by Allen Kiely

Meanwhile, Kilkenny Animated hosts, Cartoon Saloon, shared some exciting behind-the-scenes intel from their upcoming Netflix film, My Father’s Dragon.

Photo by Allen Kiely

There were laughs a-plenty to be had during the event Cartoons and Stand-up Comedy, which featured BAFTA and Perrier award winning comedian, Dylan Moran, one-time stand up comedian and New Yorker cartoonist, Matt Diffee and stand up comedian and cartoonist Aoife Dooley.

Photo by Allen Kiely

Photo by Allen Kiely

There were plenty of opportunities for budding artists to get involved during the Medieval Sketching Tour of Kilkenny, which was led by Lighthouse Studios’ Marty Broski.

Photo by Allen Kiely

There were also several workshops for kids, including Cliodhna Lyons’ Mini-Comic Workshop and Polly Holland’s Flipbook Workshop.

Photo by Allen Kiely

We’d like to say a huge thank you to all the artists, special guests and attendees who made Kilkenny Animated what it was. We can’t wait for next year!