RTÉ launches a series of Animated Shorts on the theme of Home

HOME IS WHERE THE STORY BEGINS
RTÉ launches a series of Animated Shorts on the theme of Home

Watch: rte.ie/player/kids

Among these short animations is Envelope (Distillery Films), looking at the draw of a home and how grandparents can be an anchor to the feeling of home, no matter how far away.

Home is also about reinterpreting what makes up a family, perhaps after a loss or separation. Drawn Together (Cardel) looks at the bonds between a father and a son and how they come to make their house a home.

The infamous Dublin seagulls take centre stage in Homebird (Pink Kong), a comedic look at how home can be wherever you are loved and appreciated.

Suzanne Kelly, Head of Children’s & Young People’s Content, RTÉ, said: “RTÉjr animated shorts scheme is back for 2024, and this time around we are exploring the theme of HOME, a very timely and poignant theme that lends itself wonderfully to creative interpretation. This is the fifth iteration of our animated shorts scheme and RTÉjr are once again delighted to be able to support emerging animation directors and creators, which is at the very core of this scheme. 

This year there are six two-minute animated films that have emerged from a really competitive process and they all deliver such touching, heartfelt films, I urge everyone young and old to seek them out across RTÉjr and the RTÉ Player. The animation industry in Ireland is world renowned and it is a privilege that RTÉjr can play its part in bringing these wonderful films to a wider audience.” 
You can watch the trailer here.

More Details

• Saving Chops, directed by Cora McKenna – Studio Meala
• The Mighty Oak, directed by Dave Minogue – Adventureverse
• Dembaya, directed by Borja Espana Guillot – JAM Media
• Envelope, directed by Kayvon Darabi-Fard – Distillery Films
• Drawn Together, directed by Domhnall Cotter – Cardel
• Homebird, directed by Aoífe Doyle – Pink Kong Studios

Saving Chops (Studio Meala) – A rambunctious stray cat desperately searches for a place to call home, risking life and limb (literally) before, finally, a home finds her instead.

Director BIO  

Cora McKenna is an Irish Animator, Director and Filmmaker originally from Castlecomer, County Kilkenny. After graduating from The Animation Workshop in Denmark in 2020, her graduate film Shergar went on to gain numerous awards and nominations, from the Dingle Animation Film Festival here in Ireland to Student BAFTAs in LA. Since then, Cora has worked on productions such as Cartoon Saloon’s Wolfwalkers and Adult Swim’s Primal. In 2022, Cora joined Studio Meala as a Director, and is currently directing their exciting new series Doodle Girl as well as several other upcoming projects.

The Mighty Oak (Adventureverse) – From the heart of the forest to the edge of civilisation, a young oak’s journey redefines ‘home’ in a constantly evolving world.

Director BIO 

Dave Minogue is a Creative Producer and Director, making his short film directorial debut with The Mighty Oak for RTÉjr. Dave is best known for his indie comedy-drama feature film Poster Boys, which he wrote, directed and produced. The film saw international release and was notably acquired by Sky Cinema in the UK & Ireland and Peacock in the US. Holding a postgraduate degree in Advanced Producing from TUD Dublin and a certificate in Metaverse Storytelling from the Creative Futures Academy/IADT, Dave continues to pursue innovative projects. As the Creative Director at Adventurverse Studio, his development of multimedia properties and animation pipelines has earned him a nomination for innovation at the Irish Animation Awards 2023.

Dembaya (JAM) – Forced to flee their African village due to war, a young girl and her family seek refuge in Ireland. As they rebuild their lives, they discover that home is not just a place, but a feeling they create together.

Director BIO 

Borja Espana Guillot, Art Director/ Development Creative, will be 20 years with JAM Media in 2024. He is currently working on JAM’s BeddyByes CGI production for BBC/RTÉ where he is responsible for overseeing conceptual ideas to final design. Borja has worked as Art Director for numerous JAM Media productions like Zig and Zag, Little Roy, Jessy and Nessy and Nova Jones. In 2006, he co-created the CBBC commissioned, award winning series Funky Fables, and acted as script writer and art director on the series. In 2009, he started developing the whole design for the CBBC-commissioned hit series Baby Jake, which utilised photographic digital painting for its original look. He headed a team of artists for two seasons, working as art director. He studied fine arts in Valencia, Athens and Australia, and worked on the animated feature El Cid, before moving to Ireland in 2004. On arrival in Dublin, Borja began working with JAM Media as an animator on the children’s series PICME. In 2011, Borja worked closely with children’s book artist Polly Dunbar to adapt her book series Tilly and Friends into an animation series commissioned by CBBC and Aardman. He successfully adapted the traditional books using a modern digital pipeline, and today continues in his roles as Art Director, Development Creative and Conceptual Artist with JAM Media.

Envelope (Distillery Fiction) – The exchange of handwritten letters between characters, with one writer seeking connection at home and another searching for their own place to call home.

Director BIO 

Kayvon Darabi-Fard is a County Kilkenny based Director and Senior Story Artist. He has worked aboard many productions with studios such as Aardman, Boulder Media, Cartoon Saloon, Disney and Blackstaff Games. Originally from London, England, Kayvon grew up in Bredbury, Stockport in Greater Manchester, eventually settling in Ireland in 2013. Kayvon was Storyboard Supervisor on Elk Studio’s short film The Last Set (2023) and was awarded the Manchester Animation Festival 2023 industry excellence award for his storyboard work on Cartoon Saloon’s / Netflix’s animated feature film, My Father’s Dragon (2022).

Drawn Together (Cardel) – After moving into a pristine new house, James, a young single father and his shy, creative son, Tom, clash when his artistic expressions disrupt the immaculate environment of their new home. But will their conflicting natures drive them apart or draw them together?

Director BIO 

Domhnall Cotter is a young filmmaker based in Dublin, Ireland. He is currently studying in the national Film and Television School in IADT and is set to graduate in 2024. He has primarily directed short fiction, both animated and live action, as well as documentary projects, with many of them screening in festivals internationally.

Homebird (Pink Kong Studios) – The touching reunions Steo witnesses on the tarmac of Dublin’s busiest avian airport give him an epiphany … maybe he should leave too and get a real homecoming when he comes back!

Director BIO 

Aoífe Doyle is the chief creative officer and co-founder of Dublin’s award-winning Pink Kong Studios. Aoífe’s background in classical animation led her to work for over a decade in Ireland’s booming animation sector before co-founding Pink Kong Studios. Winner of Young Director of the Year 2018 (ICAD), Aoífe has written and directed several award-winning shorts including Irish Film and Television Academy (IFTA) nominated short Departure (2017). Her latest TV series Urban Tails (RTÉ – Ireland, Azoomee – UK, Curious World – USA, tvokids – Canada, Curious World HMH – USA, Kidoodle TV – USA, Multichoice – South Africa and more) sees Aoífe direct and write 52 episodes of fun and factual content for kids to enjoy and sing along to about urban animals in their cities. Her film AURORA sees Aoífe move into the world of virtual reality. The film is Ireland’s first original animated VR film and received a phenomenal response from festival goers. Aoife’s most recent director credits include: Homebird, 2024 (RTÉ) Urban Tails, Season 2 (2023, RTÉ television series) Urban Tails, Season 1 (2019, RTÉ television series) AURORA (2018, ADIFF VR short) Ireland’s first original animated VR short, Departure (2017, Irish Film Board, IFTA-nominated short film) and Ends Meet (2017, RTÉ television series).