The European Film Academy has announced the three nominations in the category European Animated Feature Film 2015, with Cartoon Saloon’s ‘Song of the Sea’ continuing it’s fantastic awards success by receiving a nod.
So far, the film has been nominated for an Oscar, seven Annie Awards and a Cesar and it also won Best Film at this year’s IFTA Film & Drama Awards, the first time an animated film picked up the award.
Based on a list of films provided by CARTOON, the European Association of Animation Film, as well as on individual film submissions, a committee decided on these nominations. The committee consisted of EFA Board Member Antonio Saura, producer (Spain), animation experts Marcel Jean (Annecy FF, Canada) and Anja Šošić (Human Ark, Poland), as well as Petteri Pasanen (Anima Vitae, Finland), Iain Harvey (The Illuminated Film Company, UK) and Jacques-Rémy Girerd (director, France), the latter three representing CARTOON.
‘Song of the Sea’ is nominated alongside French film ‘Adama’ and the UK French co-production ‘Shaun The Sheep: The Movie’.
Directed by Tomm Moore and written by Will Collins, ‘Song of the Sea’ tells the story of Ben and his little sister Saoirse - the last Seal-child - who embark on a fantastic journey across a fading world of ancient legend and magic in an attempt to return to their home by the sea. The film takes inspiration from the mythological Selkies of Irish folklore, who live as seals in the sea but become humans on land.
‘Song of the Sea's’ voice cast features Brendan Gleeson, Fionnula Flanagan and David Rawle. Joining them are singer/songwriter Lisa Hannigan and actor/comedians Pat Shortt and Jon Kenny. Music is by composer Bruno Coulais and Irish band Kíla.
‘Song of the Sea’ and the nominated films will soon be submitted to the over 3,000 EFA Members to elect the winner. The European Animated Feature Film 2015 will then be presented at the European Film Awards Ceremony in Berlin on Saturday, 12 December - streamed live on www.europeanfilmawards.eu.