‘The Secret of Kells’ has taken the top honours at this year’s Cartoon Movie Tributes, with Director Tomm Moore being named Director of the Year and Cartoon Saloon, along with Les Armateurs and Vivi Film, being named Producer of the Year.
Organised by the European Association of Animation Film, the Cartoon Movie Tributes rewards outstanding achievements, companies or personalities that have had a positive and dynamic influence on the European animation feature film industry. Winners of these awards are selected by the industry professionals participating in Cartoon Movie 2009, the annual meeting point for the European animation industry.
Released across Ireland last weekend, ‘The Secret of Kells’ set in 9th century Ireland follows twelve-year-old Brendan who must overcome his deepest fears on a secret quest to completing an enchanting book of illuminations.
The illuminated animation is the feature debut of director Tomm Moore and is produced by Paul Young of the Cartoon Saloon – the makers behind animation series ‘Skunk Fu’.
French company BAC Films who have been involved in distributing Magma Films ‘Niko & the Way to the Stars’ were also named the Best European Distributor of the Year.
One of the main conclusions of the Cartoon Movie 2009 which is organised by the European Association of Animation Film was that the film animation sector continues to grow in Europe, overcoming new challenges thanks to its technical quality and artistic wealth.
The number of participants at this years event saw 620 sector professionals attending and over 50 productions presented with a total budget of €370 million- €45 million more than last year.
Main topics that were brought up included the range of projects produced with traditional techniques such as 2D or stop motion and the development of the relationship between the animation and the videogame industries
A glimpse of latest trends also came through with France continuing to be a driving force behind the sector with a presence of 43% in the projects presented, though participation from other European countries is on the rise, with representatives from 15 different countries involved in this year's event. 3D films targeted at family audiences remained the post popular.
