IFTA success for animated short made in Offaly

FOLLOWING on from the success of Jack O’Shea‘s dream report at the 2020 IFTAs, the OFFline animation residency was thrilled with the news that, for the second time in three years, an animated short funded by the residency, took the top prize at the at Sunday night’s award ceremony in Dublin.
Speaking after Soft Tissue by Cliona Noonan was announced as the winner, residency co-ordinator and executive producer Gary Hoctor said “We always knew that the residency offered creatives a chance to create something special. Jack proved that in the very first year of the residency, and now Cliona has proved it once more with her win on Sunday night. What makes this just as rewarding is the fact that Cliona completed this short through the long lonely days of the first lockdown. We feel justified now with our decision to forge ahead that year, when so many other events and activities were being mothballed. I admire Cliona’s perseverance as much as her obvious talent.”

Cliona is a grand niece of Annie Noonan who worked as a bookkeeper for DP Hoctor and was church organist in Birr.
The residency has just completed its five-year review, which will be released in the coming weeks. The six month placement takes place in Birr every year from May until the OFFline festival in October. It offers animators a one of a kind chance to focus on their passion project without the burden of rent, studio or equipment costs.
The residency is funded by the Trench Trust and Creative Ireland through Offaly County Council and receives mentoring funding through Offaly LEO with initial equipment co-funded funded by Offaly Local Development Company (LEADER). Its industry partners are Piranha Bar who are represented by fellow residency exec producer Nick Gogan. More details on: www.offlinefilmfestival.com