The National Talent Academy for Animation is thrilled to announce the selected projects chosen for the First Credit Short Film Scheme and Short Film Fund 2026. 

Following an intensive selection process, nine animation short film projects have been selected to receive funding and development support. The selected teams were chosen through a highly competitive multi-stage process, which included evaluation by external assessors and interviews with industry professionals. 

Pre-production on all projects will begin in late June, and over the next eight months, the selected teams will create their short films. The NTAA will provide participants with hands-on, industry-led training and mentoring sessions designed to nurture and develop a new wave of emerging and established animation writers, directors, and producers.

 

The First Credit Short Film Scheme projects are:

 

Cara’s Garden Adventure

A coming of age film about a girl named Cara going on a journey with her nana Fionnuala. As she grows up spending time with her nana she learns more about herself.

Written & Directed by Michelle Higgins and Co-Written & Produced by Tara Gavigan

 

Gloom

When a storm hits the city of Gloom and knocks Brella from its owners hands, Brella must brace the elements and take on the city to find its way home.

Written & Directed by Gavin Harte and Produced by Malcolm McDonagh.

 

Last Meal

A chef on death row ponders the question: if he can order anything for his last meal, why not something that could help him escape? 

Written & Directed by Pat McCarthy and Produced by Jonathan Theobald.

 

Sarah And The Sailor

A quiet lighthouse keeper crosses paths with a loud sailor after he is swept overboard on a stormy night.

Written and Directed by Lara C. Rosello & Produced by Thomas Wallace.

 

Unfolding

A woman and her mother have a difficult conversation while putting up laundry. As tensions rise, so does the wind…

Written by Wren Petkov and Directed & Produced by Michelle Saal.

 

Upstaged

A man performing a stage show becomes increasingly paranoid that his feline scene partner is attempting to outshine him.

Written by Ruairí O'Neill, Directed by Éilis O’Neill and Produced by Ruth Dooley.
  

 

The Short Film Fund projects are:

 

If These Walls Could Talk

A slice-of-life documentary about a town, an inn, and some cartoons. Featuring a selection of vignettes of locals and cartoonists animated onto the walls of the historic Cartoon Inn.

Written & Directed by John Dillon Breen and Produced by Cassandra Sierevogel.

 

Púca Poc

With their magic tune, a band of fairies draw a young girl from her bed to join their marching line, leading her into their hidden world.

Co-Directed & Co-Written by Róisín Kelly and Finn McKeon, Produced by Claire Lennon.

 

Spell 581

Follow Kieran on his exciting and whacky adventures, as he digitizes his Dad’s spellbook!

Written by Jamie Carroll, Directed by Stephen McGann and Produced by Kevin O’Brien.

  

The NTAA would like to thank all of our external assessors and interviewers for their time and expertise during the selection process.

Applications for the 2027 Film Fund will open in December 2026. Further details will be published on the NTAA website in due course.

 

About the NTAA:

The  National Talent Academy for Animation, is an initiative of Screen Ireland managed by Animation Ireland.