Meet the Chaos Coordinators of Animation Dingle!
Ever wonder who’s pulling the strings behind the madness that is Animation Dingle? Who makes sure the screenings don’t accidentally turn into an impromptu behind-the-scenes breakdown of how the film was made (whether the audience asked for it or not)? Who ensures An Phiast doesn’t accidentally take over a panel discussion (again)? Who remembers to feed the animators?
Well, wonder no more! It’s time to meet the masterminds behind Ireland’s most exciting animation festival. Grab a cuppa, and let’s introduce you to the crew!
The Minds Behind The Madness!
💬What’s your “official” job at Animation Dingle?
Captaining the Ship – keeping us afloat, ensuring we are sailing in the right direction and making sure everyone arrives on shore and in ship shape.
🎨 What’s your “unofficial” job at the festival?
Keeping an eye on An Phaist and swiftly dealing with the minor mayhem he is leaving in his trail before any sheep get hurt.
🎬 What animated character do you relate to most and why?
The Iron Giant…I somehow fell into this place of festivals and ended up staying here helping young artists become the next heroes.
🎬 First animated film or show you remember watching?
Not sure if it was the first, but I remember how I felt and being inspired when I first saw the animated Pink Panther at the beginning of the Pink Panther Movie.
🚀 What’s been your most unexpected/funniest festival moment?
After mentioning to Dean DeBlois that my wife’s favourite animated character is Stitch, I was so surprised when he unexpectedly produced a beautiful pen drawing of Stitch later that evening as a gift to my wife Catherine for Mothers Day!
🐉 If you could have your own animated sidekick, what/who would it be?
A humorous sidekick who has 50 digits on each of his monstrous hands to type the gazillion emails and proposals that I have to do throughout the year! (tennis elbow – OUCH!)
💬What’s your “official” job at Animation Dingle?
Being big on the Welcome, that’s me! Making sure that everyone feels at home.
🎨 What’s your “unofficial” job at the festival?
Behind the scenes supporter…trying hard to keep everything smooth and healthy from the inside out – are you fed? Have you eaten? Did you sleep well? Be kind to each other…
🎬 What animated character do you relate to most and why?
Stitch – although he isn’t like me, I think I was probably like him as a kid and there is an element of him inside me always….a bundle of energy and love…AND, lesser known fact, I have an original drawing of Stitch by Dean DeBlois hanging framed in my house.
🎬 First animated film or show you remember watching?
My everlasting and enduring memories are of being with my Gramps on a bright weekend day, going into darkened cinemas off Leicester Square and watching back to back cartoons in the dark with him, my mouth full of hard gums…emerging like a mole into the sunlight afterwards full of contentment and surprised that the day was still there – I had been lost in the darkness and wonder for so long. He worked all his life in the Old Covent Garden, but he should have been an animator.
🚀 What’s been your most unexpected/funniest festival moment?
Probably behind the scenes somewhere – not sure I have one, mine are more joy and wonder than full on slapstick funny…
🐉 If you could have your own animated sidekick, what/who would it be?
A Yoga Mat that has the properties of a Flying Carpet.
💬What’s your “official” job at Animation Dingle?
My “official” job is Festival Coordinator; organising the programme, liaising with guests and animators. It also means that all I dream about right now is spreadsheets and film file types.
🎨 What’s your “unofficial” job at the festival?
My “unofficial” job is “Spreadsheet Creator and Wrangler”, I definitely make far too many, and accidentally spend more time on the aesthetics of the sheet than its actual contents (I love a pastel colour scheme). A desire to look at pretty things should be a priority for an animation festival (at least that’s what I tell myself).
🎬 What animated character do you relate to most and why?
Howl from Howl’s Moving Castle because I’m prone to dramatics and dying my hair in the midst of a crisis.
🎬 First animated film or show you remember watching?
The first animated film I remember watching (also my first cinema trip I think!) was The Iron Giant in the former Cosey Cinema in Kanturk, Cork. I don’t remember being too enthused by it, which makes sense looking back as I would have only been three years old and therefore definitely not vibing with its plot and themes. Brad Bird, I sincerely apologise!
🚀 What’s been your most unexpected/funniest festival moment?
I’m new to the festival this year and primarily working from home, so I haven’t encountered too many unexpected or funny things yet – however, I am enjoying the multiple names people call me in emails, ranging from everything from Louise, Anny and Annie to multiple encounters where some folks have well-meaningly assumed my “Míle Buíochas” email sign-off is my name. Just “Amy” is grand lads!
🐉 If you could have your own animated sidekick, what/who would it be?
A talking box of popcorn who berates me for not working through my Letterboxd watchlist – I will start someday!
💬What’s your “official” job at Animation Dingle?
Art Director
🎨 What’s your “unofficial” job at the festival?
Award Ceremony Magician
🎬 What animated character do you relate to most and why?
Its hard to pick only one but I will choose ‘Yota Moteuchi’ from Video Girl Ai because he was a loser, like me 🙂
🎬 First animated film or show you remember watching?
The anime called “Saint Seiya: Knights of the Zodiac”. I think I was 6 years old and I was fascinated! But also frustrated because the antenna signal was really bad.
🚀 What’s been your most unexpected/funniest festival moment?
After ten years of participating in this festival, I’ve accumulated numerous funny moments. My favourite was when we were in the middle of the Art Auction, people were excited about the high number, and Kieron (producer in Jam) asked Scott (CTO in Jam) to check something on the ceiling, pointing to it. Scott, intrigued, raised his hand to check it; the host noticed his hand was up and called his bid with an astronomical number. Scott freezes for a few seconds, and we all start laughing. His reaction was simply priceless.
🐉 If you could have your own animated sidekick, what/who would it be?
It’s either Tachikoma from “Ghost in the Shell” or Tinker Bell from “Peter Pan”.
💬What’s your “official” job at Animation Dingle?
Official festival fangirl who eats, breathes and dreams animation. I’m the one who keeps our socials buzzing louder than a cartoon sound effect.
🎨 What’s your “unofficial” job at the festival?
Festival roadrunner reporting for duty! I spend my time at the festival zipping between events, outrunning WiFi issues, and avoiding ACME-level disasters. Beep Beep!
🎬 What animated character do you relate to most and why?
Scooby Doo has always had a special place in my heart. I grew up watching him and I guess his loyalty and willingness to continuously face his biggest fears inspires me to not allow my fears to limit me but rather push me to take on new challenges.
🎬 First animated film or show you remember watching?
Hmm…which one came first; Scooby Doo, Barbie, Cinderella or Looney Tunes? I can’t remember what my first experience with animation was but I do remember always loving it. The stories and characters captured me right from the start, creating this world of people and places I would have never been introduced to otherwise.
🚀 What’s been your most unexpected/funniest festival moment?
I never know what to expect when I go to the festival, each year it’s a new experience. But having the Art Auction turn into one of the best comedy shows I’ve ever been too was definitely a highlight. Alan and Mark on their knees singing Praise the Lord to Peter Lord is forever etched into my brain!
🐉 If you could have your own animated sidekick, what/who would it be?
I like the idea of having a best friend for life so maybe Scooby Doo but Mushu from mulan would be able to whisper sarcastic comments to me while he travelled in my pocket. Decisions, decisions.
💬What’s your “official” job at Animation Dingle?
Volunteer Coordinator
🎨 What’s your “unofficial” job at the festival?
Leader of the minions
🎬 What animated character do you relate to most and why?
Dory. Optimistic, friendly and adventure-loving
🎬 First animated film or show you remember watching?
Anastasia, I discovered the behind the scenes features.
🚀 What’s been your most unexpected/funniest festival moment?
Watching Peter Lord create Morph while enjoying a pint of Guinness, sometimes you do meet an Icon.
🐉 If you could have your own animated sidekick, what/who would it be?
Mrs. Potts, for the endless supply of tea and wisdom.
Behind the Scenes, In Front of the Fun!
So, there you have it, the faces behind Animation Dingle. Whether they’re bringing in top industry guests, planning wild festival events, or just making sure you don’t get lost on your way to a screening, this team is what makes the magic happen.
Got questions? Want to join the madness? Say hi at the festival, we’re always up for a chat! Just be warned: if you ask us for “just one” animation recommendation, you might be here a while.
And hey, while you’re here, tell us in the comments: Who’s your favourite animated character? Or, if you could have any animated sidekick, who would it be? We can’t wait to see your picks, bonus points if they’d fit right in at Animation Dingle! 🎬✨
