Tomm Moore to Recieve The Murakami Award at the Irish Animation Awards.

The first Irish Animation Awards doesn't have a feature category, because they simply don't have enough nominees. Yet it would seem absurd to let the event pass without honouring the achievement of Cartoon Saloon's Tomm Moore, director of the Oscar-nominated Song Of The Sea. Moore is increasingly seen as one of the world's most foremost talents in animation, with his latest film attracting rapturous reviews and multiple award nominations.

It's now been announced that Mr. Moore will be receiving this year's prestigious Murakami award. The Murakami award actually pre-dates the rest of the ceremony and has been handed out as part of Animation Dingle since 2013. The award is named after the legendary late animator (and first recipient) Jimmy T Murakami. Despite having been born in the US, Murakami spent much of his later life in Ireland and is seen a big part of the animation industry there.

Moore is therefore in esteemed company- and deservedly so, with both Secret Of Kells and Song Of The Sea touching audiences the world over- and all before it opens in his home country. Huge congratulations from AFA!

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