Over 150 Young People Gather for National Youth Film and Animation Network Day
The National Youth Film and Animation Network celebrated its annual Network Day with over 150 young people from across Ireland coming together to connect, collaborate, and celebrate youth creativity in film and animation.
The event opened with a lively meet and greet session led by Ciarda Tobin from Next Generation, giving young participants the chance to network and share their creative journeys. Facilitated industry masterclasses followed, with cinematographer James Marnell leading a hands-on session in cinematography and animator Eimhin McNamara sharing professional insights and animation techniques.
PHOTO Vicky Comerford
A vibrant expo area showcased opportunities in screen careers, colleges, and film festivals, providing a valuable platform for young people to explore their next steps in the screen industries.
Screenings during the day celebrated work created by young people from youth film and animation groups nationwide, highlighting the exceptional creativity and innovation emerging from Ireland’s young storytellers. This was followed by a youth panel, where emerging filmmakers and animators discussed their experiences and perspectives, giving voice to the next generation of Irish creatives.
Adding to the excitement, two lucky participants were selected for special giveaways. Luke Ryan won a place on the Film strand at the National Youth Film and Animation School 2026, while Daniel Stafford received a place on the Animation strand, offering both young creatives a unique opportunity to further develop their artistic skills.
Joining the event were leading industry guests including producer Julie Ryan of MK1 Studios and composer Ray Harman, who shared their professional experiences and advice with young people. The Network was also honoured to welcome Young Irish Filmmaker Founder Mike Kelly, whose vision helped establish the movement supporting young creatives today.
In addition, Minding Creative Minds delivered a dedicated well-being session for youth leaders supporting creative young people, underlining the importance of care and mental health in the arts sector.
The National Youth Film and Animation Network Day continues to provide a vital space for connection, inspiration, and growth among Ireland’s young filmmakers, animators, and creative leaders.
The Network looks forward to building on this success and welcoming even more young creatives to next year’s event.
