Testimonials
Words from our guests
Animation Dingle has been highlighting incredible creativity and talent within the animation industry for the last 13 years. As Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, it is heartening to see the wonderful opportunities that this festival has provided for young people to learn from world experts in the animation industry. There is also a very strong focus on further broadening the role of women in animation. Dingle's role as a cradle for creativity is an excellent example of how we can inspire and empower our youth to dream big and pursue their passions.
Norma Foley
Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration & Youth
The chance to attend Dingle and meet so many hugely talented Irish companies set in the breathtaking town of Dingle, complimented by the passion of inspiring students is an experience I will treasure forever.
Jennifer Twiner McCarron
CEO, Atomic Cartoons
Thank you for having me back to the best event in the Animation Industry! Your generosity, organisational prowess and the opportunity to connect at Dingle is always appreciated.
Courtney Arumugum
Executive Producer of Animation & Development, Blink Industries
Animation Dingle was a once in a lifetime experience, combining the experience of animation professionals, the endless curiosity of students, and the boundless beauty of Ireland. It was so inspiring to see all of these elements intermingle throughout the weekend, and an honour to talk to working artists and aspiring artists alike.
Brian O'Connell
Director Development, Disney Jr.
I can't think of a better place than Animation Dingle to mix with big studio execs, world class creatives and brilliant students, along with our own amazing Irish industry. It's such a fantastic event for taking stock of where we are and finding new connections for the future. Thank you Animation Dingle!
Nora Twomey
Director, Cartoon Saloon
Your Animation Dingle Festival bridges the gap between industry professionals and aspiring students like no other event we’ve ever attended. It was inspiring to meet the next generation of young creators & animators and see their passion for animation burning brightly — be it during panels, in the Q&As, or at the Pitch & a Pint — which was an unexpected highlight of the weekend!Dingle peninsula is hands-down one of the most beautiful places on Earth.
Jef Kaminsky
Vice President of Television Development & Programming for Scholastic Media
Best time I’ve ever had in my life. A huge thank you to all the organizers!
Interesting activities, fantastic screenings, amazing people and beautiful scenery of Dingle.
I’m definitely coming back next year!!!
Interesting activities, fantastic screenings, amazing people and beautiful scenery of Dingle.
I’m definitely coming back next year!!!
Olga Zhernovkova
Selected Animator
Came away yet again stoked by the Irish animation community: the camaraderie, the talent, and the level of student work always blows me away. What a place. Huge thanks to Maurice Galway for all he does and the great welcome! Now hanging my liver out to dry. That was a lot of Guinness.
JP Vine
Locksmith
I can easily rank the Dingle Animation Conference as one of the best in the animation industry. I go to many conferences around the world but there is something truly special about Dingle. The talks and events are fun and informative. The speakers are incredible. The organizers care deeply about their guests and work so hard to make sure everyone is having a great experience. Ireland is a beautiful country with amazingly talented artists and I sincerely hope I'll have an opportunity to return for many years to come.
Aaron Gilman
CEO, Steamroller Animation
This year I’ve turned Dingle into a verb. To dingle. I dingle, you dingle, we dingle. Everybody can dingle
Katie Davis
Writer
That was the most inspiring, beautifully located, and well-run event that we have ever participated in. The students were so engaged and enthusiastic...and open to learning and advice. We loved it. Thank you for everything you did for these incredible young people and for everything you did to make us feel welcome
Caitlin Friedman & Jef Kaminsky
SVP and General Manager, Scholastic Entertainment & Vice President of Television Development and Programming, Scholastic Media
Animation Dingle is an exceptional animation festival
Peter Lord
Aardman Animation, 2023
Animation Dingle serves as a reminder to focus on what’s most important in fostering creativity – growing and cultivating students’ imagination. Ireland has become a force in animation and Dingle is the perfect place to celebrate this emergence as you breathe in the fresh air and soak up the sights of this stunning seaside town.
Tara Sorensen
Head of Childrens’ Programming, Apple TV+
The best festival I’ve ever attended!
Jackie Edwards
Head of BBC Children’s Animation
I was blown away by my first visit to Animation Dingle – and I’m not
talking about Atlantic gales. The status and the quality of the many
speakers is outstanding – you’ll see and hear some fascinating talks
from some of the best-informed, best placed people in the industry.
At the same time, the presence of so many students of animation -
talented, ambitious and committed gives the festival a glorious youthful
energy which doesn’t end with them; there’s no shortage of energy
either in the lovely team that keep the whole thing running. Add to that
a beautiful location and an Irish welcome, in the pubs and out, which is
just about this side of caricature and I tell you, you’ve got a recipe for a
terrific experience and an irresistible festival.
Peter Lord
Aardman Studios
Animation Dingle is a testament to all that is good within the industry. It is energetic, dynamic, professional, seamlessly run and executed and has the very best of speakers and guests from the industry. It is welcoming and warm and heartfelt.
Richie Baneham
(Avatar, Lord of the Rings), 2023
Fantastic week in Ireland. Thanks Animation Dingle for having us, and to the friends, students and attendees that made it memorable.
Dean DeBlois
Writer, Director, Executive Producer How to Train your Dragon series
The Animation Dingle Festival is an incubator for the industry and we look
forward to seeing the entries from this rich pool of talent.
David Levine
Disney Channels UK & Ireland
Animation Dingle is a real gem in the animation and creative industries crown. It punches well above its weight in terms of attracting top talent, execs and an ever growing array of animation students. It is rare to find such dedication, authenticity and ambition in one place – which is why people return year after year. And the glorious Kerry backdrop and very warm welcome helps too!
Alice Webb
BBC
Thank you for such a great festival experience. It was far more than we could have imagined. You and the team are doing a fantastic job. We were very impressed. You have something special happening over there.
Thomas Purrington
Golden Wolf
Being able to speak at Animation Dingle 2018 provided an opportunity to not
only share my own story as an animator in the entertainment industry over the
last twenty-five years, but be reminded of the shared enthusiasm and creativity
that is so abundant in the next generation of animators.
Bobby Podesta
PIXAR
An important aspect of the event is the way it connects young Irish talent and creativity. It provides new entrants, graduates and third-level students with access to international decision-makers who they can look to for advice, direction and valuable insights.
Eileen Bell
Senior Business Development Advisor at Enterprise Ireland
Thank YOU for everything! It was such good fun and such a success all round.
Alix Wiseman
9 Story
I've been coming to animation Dingle for 6 years now and it only gets better. Every animator should come here at least once if you want to actually meet with the creators and get inspired. I can't recommend this more.
Marta Sniezek
(Small Hours, winner Best Director)
Thanks so much – It was a fantastic event! So many inspirational speakers and all of the activities were top notch! Already looking forward to the next one!
Kyle Jenkins
Acquisitions & Programme Manager, Channel 5 Broadcasting
Dingle-Tastic - thank you! We feel so fortunate to be amongst such talent and that energy is so contagious. It will power us thru our year – it’s why we do what we do, really.
Michelle Sullivan
VP, Creative Exec, Gaumont TV
Animation Dingle is a perfect host for Acting for Animators. The measure of any event is the quality of attendees, and Animation Dingle is a magnet for excellence. The organizers, the facilities, the weather and...yes, Dingle itself, are top notch.
Ed Hooks
Author of Acting for Animators
