An exhibition showcase of drawings from the making of the Irish animated sensation Wolfwalkers will be making its way to Smithfield later this week. Artist’s drawings from the hit film will be on display at the Light House Cinema when it reopens from Friday, June 25th.
Visitors to Light House Cinema in Smithfield, Dublin this summer will get a chance to view Cartoon Saloon’s WOLFWALKERS: ARTIST’S DRAWINGS exhibition when the cinema reopens this week. Featuring original drawings, the exhibition gives a behind the scenes insight into the making of the Golden Globe, Oscar®, BAFTA and IFTA-nominated animated feature.
Wolfwalkers is the third animated feature from the now three-time Academy Award®-nominee Tomm Moore (The Secret of Kells, Song of the Sea) and Ross Stewart and is co-produced by Kilkenny-based Cartoon Saloon and Melusine Productions.
Set in Kilkenny in 1650, WOLFWALKERS follows Robyn Goodfellowe, a young apprentice hunter who journeys to Ireland with her father in a time of superstition and magic to wipe out the last wolf pack. While exploring the forbidden lands outside the city walls, Robyn befriends a free-spirited girl, Mebh, a member of a mysterious tribe rumored to have the ability to transform into wolves by night. As they search for Mebh’s missing mother, Robyn uncovers a secret that draws her further into the enchanted world of the “Wolfwalkers” and risks turning into the very thing her father is tasked to destroy.
The WOLFWALKERS: ARTIST’S DRAWINGS exhibition features original drawings from the making of Wolfwalkers, from early character concepts and designs, through to drawings exploring the different line styles of forest and city backgrounds. Wolfwalkers focuses on the conflict between individuals who seek to dominate nature and those who want to live in harmony with it. That conflict is embodied visually in the contrast between the angular buildings of Kilkenny and the sensually curving vegetation of the forest. The exhibition gives a glimpse into how these concepts were explored and developed visually to create Wolfwalkers unique and beautiful style.
The animation, which charted as the No. 1 film at the Irish box office on its opening weekend last year, was nominated for three IFTA awards for Best Film, Best Directors (Tomm Moore & Ross Stewart) and Best Script (Will Collins) last week. Earlier this year it was nominated for the Best Animation award at some of the world’s most prestigious awards ceremonies including the Academy Awards®, the Golden Globes and the BAFTA’s.
Since its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival last year, it has gone on to screen at festivals across the globe including the renowned BFI London Film Festival and garnered praise from critics and audiences alike. It has won numerous awards including the Best Animated Feature Award at some of the top US Film Critic Circle Awards including New York, Boston and Los Angeles; a Satellite Award for Best Animated or Mixed Media Feature and five Annie Awards including Best Director for Moore and Stewart and Best Independent Animated Feature. It swept the board at this year’s Irish Animation Awards with four wins for Best Irish Feature, Best Editing, Best Art Direction and Design and Best Animation Sequence.
Press release courtesy of Wildcard Distribution
Here’s what Film In Dublin had to say when placing Wolfwalkers and its wonderful animation on our Best of 2020 list:
Go hálainn. The triumphs of Cartoon Saloon are easy to get behind not only because they’re the local studio done good, and not just because they remain a shining light for the skills of their craft while facing up against the all-encompassing conglomerate overdog (or mouse) to their underdog. They’re also easy to get behind because they’re just that good and only getting better.
Wolfwalkers ‘ gorgeously animated world of magic and myths, framed through the budding friendship between wolfgal Mebh and aspiring hunter Robyn is richly rewarding, and easily accessible for all ages. Like a lot of the best of animation to the East and West of our island, its themes are straightforward but richly explored: of co-existing, of being kinder to the land around us, things we think are simple stuff for kids but still end up not understanding well into our adulthood. With a few more stories of this calibre coming out of Kilkenny perhaps we’d be a little better able to. Awards and acclaim all richly deserved, while we’re hupping the parish we dearly hope to see a few more locals sharing the pews.
Wolfwalkers continues to play in cinemas across Ireland and the UK this week and stream on Apple TV.