This year both major animation awards were presented to short films created by IADT alumni. The prestigious James Horgan Award for Best Animation went to the surreal short Voideden written and directed by Alan Holly (Coda, 2013). The Best Debut Animation Short was awarded to Happy Hauntings by Ruth Harbison (Director/Writer/Animator) and Sabine Jansone (Producer). This comedy about Ghost and Imp was funded by the National Talent Academy for Animation First Credit Short Film Scheme 2025 and realized by a large team of talented IADT graduates. Another NTAA supported short by IADT graduates, To A Flame by Ro Martin (Writer/Director) and Joshua Brown (Producer) was given an honorable mention in the Best Debut category.

In addition to the award winners, the official selection of new Irish animation included an impressive 11 shorts showcasing the work of IADT’s recent graduates, past alumni, and former lecturers.

The Irish Animation programme included two graduation films from the BA (Hons) in Animation programme: Anam by Muireann Mulvihill (Director/Writer/Animator), Ailbhe Fearon (Director/Producer/Writer), Seán Breathnach (Writer), and Tessa Barry-Gallagher (Animator); and Gullermo by Donnacha Clarke (Director/Writer). Waiting Room by Amber Amelia Kelly (Director/Writer/Animator) was made as part of the MA in Animation.

IADT alumni films supported by the NTAA short scheme were Bótharín by Niall MacGiolla Chomhgaill (Writer/Director) and Moya McHugh (Producer); Lullaby by Helena Melin (Writer/Director); and Kova’s Courage by Aisling Wallace and Anika O’Hagan-Ploug (Co-directors), Denis McArdle (Writer), David Butler (Producer), and Anthea Ring (Animator).

The FÍS Éireann/Screen Ireland shorts programme saw the premiere of two short animation films: Sceillic by Paul Ruttledge (Director/Writer), Julie Murnaghan (Producer) and Cliona Noonan (Animator) and On the Berry by Niamh Asple and James Naughton (Directors/Writers), Jonathan Clarke (Producer), and Marta Sniezek, and Eilis O’Neill (Animators).

Other shorts by IADT alumni included Personality Hire by Róisín Kelly (Director/Writer/Animator) and Camille Peat (Producer); With/Out the Window by Eimear Young who has just graduated from the RCA London Masters in Animation; and Ai Solves Climate Disaster by former IADT animation lecturer David Quin.

Congratulations once again to all IADT Animation and National Film School alumni, named and unnamed, who contributed their skills to the incredible films screened at this year’s Galway Film Fleadh!

Explore IADT Animation graduates On Show exhibitions here.