Profits soar at Cartoon Saloon animation studio in Kilkenny

A scene from Cartoon Saloon’s animated feature ‘The Breadwinner’, which has been nominated for a Golden Globe

Gordon Deegan

January 04 2018 02:30 AM

Profits at the Oscar-tipped Cartoon Saloon animation studios increased by 16pc in 2016 to €273,878.

Revenues soared by 43pc at the Kilkenny-based animation studio, up from €2.7m to €3.86m.

The studio is being tipped for an Oscar nomination to add to its previous two. It collaborated with Hollywood star, Angelina Jolie on its animated feature 'The Breadwinner', which has been nominated for a Golden Globe.

In an interview yesterday, MD of Cartoon Saloon, Gerry Shirren said he hoped that "Kilkenny will become a magnet for talent and a centre of excellence for animation in Ireland".

Angelina Jolie: Photo: Neilson Barnard/Getty Images

Mr Shirren said that the number employed by Cartoon Saloon had increased to over 80 during 2017 and should grow further in 2018.

Commenting on the 2016 accounts just filed, Mr Shirren said that 2016 was "a solid year".

Mr Shirren said that the increased revenues "reflected an increase in activity in the studio operations, with 'The Breadwinner' feature in production".

He added that the studio was breaking into Asian markets for the first time, with 'Song of the Sea' continuing its worldwide release roll-out.

Mr Shirren said that 'Song of the Sea' was released in both China and Japan.