Inspiring the Next Generation!
At Animation Dingle, we believe in the next generation. We believe that when young people are given the chance to see creativity up close, to watch it, question it, try it, something powerful happens. A spark. A possibility. A sense that maybe I could do that too.
That’s why welcoming young audiences is such an important part of our festival each year. From screenings to workshops to exhibitions, Animation Dingle is a space where imagination is celebrated, and future storytellers are encouraged to dream big.
Here’s what’s in store for young creatives in 2026.
Young Animator of the Year (YAOTY)
The Young Animator of the Year competition is one of the most inspiring parts of Animation Dingle.
Each year, we’re reminded that creativity has no age limit. Last year’s entries were bold, imaginative and full of heart, a powerful sign that the next generation of Irish animators is already telling stories that matter.
YAOTY is about more than a prize. It’s about giving young creators a platform, the chance to see their work on the big screen as part of a major international festival and to feel part of something bigger.
Submissions for 2026 are now closed, and once again, we’ve been incredibly impressed by the talent on display. The winner will be revealed during the festival, always a special and emotional moment for our community.
We’re proud that YAOTY is supported by Disney+, whose support helps us champion emerging voices and nurture the future of animation.
Because when young storytellers are given the opportunity to shine, it can change how they see what’s possible.
Animation is Art - Seeing the Work Behind the Magic
Our ‘Animation Is Art’ exhibition at Siamsa Tíre Art Gallery invites all visitors to step behind the scenes of some of the world’s most beloved animated films.
Hosted at Siamsa Tíre Art Gallery in Tralee, it brings together original hand-drawn works, animation cels and production art from some of the most influential animated films of recent decades; from Snow White and The Jungle Book to The Lord of the Rings and Soul.
Original pieces on loan include work by Oscar winners Richie Baneham (The Iron Giant) and Nick Park (Wallace & Gromit), alongside contributions from Dean DeBlois (Lilo & Stitch), Pixar artist Bobby Podesta and Réjean Bourdages. Ireland’s animation legacy is strongly represented too, with work from Cartoon Saloon and Brown Bag Films, and from John Kelly Jr., whose Oscar®-nominated Retirement Plan follows his win for Best Professional Short at Animation Dingle 2025.
From hand-drawn production artwork to original cels and design pieces, the exhibition celebrates animation as visual art, not just entertainment. For younger audiences, there’s also an interactive space designed to encourage curiosity and creativity. It’s a chance to see that every animated world begins with a sketch, an idea, a pencil line. And perhaps to realise that their own drawings could one day become something bigger.
Wolfwalkers as Gaeilge - A Family Screening
This year, we’re delighted to host a special family screening of the Oscar-nominated film by Ireland’s very own Cartoon Saloon, Wolfwalkers, shown as Gaeilge.
There’s something magical about experiencing a beautifully animated story in the Irish language. It connects heritage, storytelling and contemporary creativity in a way that feels uniquely special.
It’s also a powerful reminder that local stories can travel the world — and that Irish creativity belongs on the global stage.
📅 Date: Saturday 21st
📍 Venue: WAVE
⏰ Time: 12:45 – 14:30
🎟 Cost: FREE
Siamsa Tíre - Primary School Outreach Programme
Following a screening of Irish animations for primary schools, founder of D11 Stories and producer Lena Byrne will lead a hands-on workshop at Siamsa Tíre.
Workshops like this give young people the chance to move from audience to creator; to ask questions, experiment, and see how ideas are shaped into stories.
Interest has been incredible this year, with the primary school event already sold out, a testament to the appetite for creative experiences among young people and educators alike.
Check out the full lineup of incredible screenings here: https://siamsatire.com/event/animation-dingle-workshop-schools-out/
The Future Starts Here
Animation Dingle is about celebrating the industry as it exists today, but it’s equally about nurturing what comes next.
When young people see creativity treated seriously, when they meet artists and animators, when they step into galleries and cinemas filled with stories, they begin to understand that these worlds are open to them too.
And that might be the most important moment of all.
Three days. One town. A community that lifts you up at every age.
