Wolfwalkers opens during Oliver Cromwell’s brutal colonization of Ireland, in the county of Kilkenny, which has fallen to English settlers after a bloody siege. On Cromwell’s orders, a young apprentice hunter, Robyn Goodfellowe (voiced by Honor Kneafsey), and her father, Bill (Game of Thrones’ Sean Bean), are sent from England to track and kill the last of the wolves that live in woods outside the city walls. Adventurous and rebellious, Robyn sneaks into the woods and discovers a world unlike any she’s ever known. There she meets Mebh (Eva Whittaker), a wild girl who was raised by wolves, and through her unique new friend begins to realize it’s not the forest that should be feared, but the “townies.” But, as she grows closer to the forest world, her relationship with her father is put to the test, as Robyn herself becomes one of the very things he is ordered to obliterate.
The final instalment in directors Tomm Moore and Ross Stewart’s “Irish folklore trilogy” is a stunning testament to their singular animation style and storytelling skills. With visual references to pre-Celtic imagery and Studio Ghibli alike — and some catchy songs — Wolfwalkers is an instant classic for all ages.
*Note: This screening is ONLY available to Canadian Passholders, NO single tickets.*
Directors
Tom Moore, Ross Stewart
Ireland, Luxembourg, France - Cartoon Saloon, Mélusine Productions
Tomm Moore was born in Newry, Northern Ireland, and studied animation at Ballyfermot College in Dublin. He co-founded the animation studio Cartoon Saloon and has written, produced, animated and directed short films and commercials. He co-directed the animated features The Secret of Kells (09). His latest Festival features are Kahlil Gibran's the Prophet (14), which he co-directed, and Song of the Sea (14).
Ross Stewart is an Irish painter, illustrator, and animator. His collaborations with Tomm Moore and Cartoon Saloon include work as art director on The Secret of Kells (09), concept artist on Song of the Sea (14), and co-director on a segment of Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet (14). He was also a concept artist for ParaNorman (12). Wolfwalkers (20), co-written and -directed with Moore, is his feature directorial debut.
