Manchester Animation Festival

For just over 25 years the combined talents of Tomm Moore, Nora Twomey and Paul Young have headed a studio of talent which has impacted audiences of all ages and made a lasting and significant contribution to the animated art form.

Perhaps most celebrated is their Irish folklore trilogy, The Secret of Kells, Song of the Sea, and Wolfwalkers. Presenting a remarkable blend of mythology, artistry, and craftsmanship, these films stand as a visible testament to the power of animated storytelling. Yet Cartoon Saloon is far from a three-trick pony. The studio has also applied its magic to adaptations such as The Breadwinner, a sobering portrayal of life under Taliban rule, and My Father’s Dragon, which invite audiences young and old to reflect on fear, change, and resilience.

Their contribution to short filmmaking has been equally profound. Beginning with Nora Twomey’s From Darkness and Cúilín Dualach, the studio set the tone for a catalogue of stylish and thought provoking mini-masterpieces. Louise Bagnall’s Late Afternoon dazzled with its tender depiction of memory, loss, and grief; Fabian Erlinghuser and Tomm Moore’s There’s a Monster in My Kitchen delivered urgent ecological themes; and Paul Young’s contribution to the Star Wars canon, Screecher’s Reach, introduced an refreshing mix of mysticism, mystery, and drama to the franchise. Returning to folklore, Giovanna Ferrari’s Éiru brings the studio full circle with an adventurous young heroine achieving what adults could not.

Cartoon Saloon has also left its mark on television with UK audiences quick to agree that Puffin Rock stands out as a gentle and enchanting series, combining the studio’s trademark quality animation with nature focused stories that unfold at a thoughtful pace.

It is rare for a studio to excel in even one format or with a single film, but Cartoon Saloon’s ability to consistently deliver work of such high calibre across mediums secures its place in the global story of animation.

Celebrating an incredible 25 years in business and collecting the Manchester Animation Festival Fellowship Award 2025 are Tomm Moore, Nora Twomey and Paul Young from Cartoon Saloon. Join us as we take a look back on some of their key moments, get a preview of what is to come and hear the story behind this incredible studio.

Featuring guest speakers Tomm Moore (Co-Founder & Creative Director - Cartoon Saloon), Nora Twomey (Partner & Creative Director - Cartoon Saloon) and Paul Young (Co-Founder & Creative Director - Cartoon Saloon). In conversation with Steve Henderson (Festival Director - MAF).

This event was pre-recorded during MAF2025.