The exclusion of 'My Father's Dragon' from the 2023 Oscar nominations list for best animated feature has caused a stir within the industry. The Netflix film, a beautifully hand-drawn adaptation of Ruth Stiles Gannett's cherished children's fantasy novel, directed by Nora Twomey, had garnered praise from critics, leading many to believe it would secure a nomination. However, the absence of the film shed light on the remarkable success of Cartoon Saloon, the Irish animation studio behind it.
Cartoon Saloon has amassed an impressive track record, earning four Oscar nominations from its first four features. The studio's journey began in 1999 when it was founded in Kilkenny by a group of animation graduates. Their debut feature, 'The Secret of Kells,' set in 9th-century Ireland and inspired by local folklore, received widespread acclaim for its stunning hand-drawn illustrations, reminiscent of traditional animation styles.
