Tomm Moore
Encyclopedia
Tomm Moore is an Irish
illustrator
, comics artist
and filmmaker. He is co-founder of Cartoon Saloon
, an animation studio and production company, based in Kilkenny
, Ireland
. His first feature film
, The Secret of Kells, was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film
on February 2, 2010.
, County Down
, Northern Ireland
. At an early age he moved, with his parents, to Kilkenny
in the Republic of Ireland
where his father, Patrick, worked as an engineer
. After leaving St Kieran's College
secondary school, he studied classical animation at Ballyfermot College in Dublin. It was during his final year at Ballyfermot in 1998, that he co-founded the Cartoon Saloon
animation studio with Paul Young, Ross Murray and Nora Twomey
. The studio created the television series Skunk Fu!
Tomm is a nephew of the renowned singer/songwriter Kieran Goss
.
, which he co-directed with Nora Twomey
, is The Secret of Kells, written by Fabrice Ziolkowski from Moore's story. It is a co-production by the Cartoon Saloon, Les Armateurs, Vivi Film and France 2 Cinéma. The film is a hand-drawn animation, set in 9th century Ireland, and partially based on and inspired by early Christian history and legend. It premiered on February 8, 2009, at the Berlin International Film Festival
. It went into wide release in Belgium and France on February 11, and in the Republic of Ireland
on March 3. On February 2, 2010, it was announced that the film had been nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film
.
Moore is working on a second feature film entitled The Song of the Sea.
graphic novels, An Sclábhaí ("the slave", 2001) and An Teachtaire ("the messenger", 2003), telling the story of St. Patrick. Both were written by Colmán Ó Raghallaigh and published in Ireland by Cló Mhaigh Eo. He has also created a two-volume graphic novel adaptation of The Secret of Kells, published in French as Brendan et le secret de Kells.
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
illustrator
Illustrator
An Illustrator is a narrative artist who specializes in enhancing writing by providing a visual representation that corresponds to the content of the associated text...
, comics artist
Comics artist
A comics artist is an artist working within the comics medium on comic strips, comic books or graphic novels. The term may refer to any number of artists who contribute to produce a work in the comics form, from those who oversee all aspects of the work to those who contribute only a part.-Comic...
and filmmaker. He is co-founder of Cartoon Saloon
Cartoon Saloon
Cartoon Saloon is an Irish company which provides illustration, design, animation, film and TV services. The company is based in Kilkenny City. The company developed the successful cartoon series Skunk Fu!. Skunk Fu was nominated for a BAFTA Children's Award in October 2008. The company has...
, an animation studio and production company, based in Kilkenny
Kilkenny
Kilkenny is a city and is the county town of the eponymous County Kilkenny in Ireland. It is situated on both banks of the River Nore in the province of Leinster, in the south-east of Ireland...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
. His first feature film
Feature film
In the film industry, a feature film is a film production made for initial distribution in theaters and being the main attraction of the screening, rather than a short film screened before it; a full length movie...
, The Secret of Kells, was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film
Academy Award for Best Animated Feature
The Academy Award for Best Animated Feature is one of the annual awards given by the Los Angeles-based professional organization, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences...
on February 2, 2010.
Personal life
Moore, the eldest of 4 children, was born in NewryNewry
Newry is a city in Northern Ireland. The River Clanrye, which runs through the city, formed the historic border between County Armagh and County Down. It is from Belfast and from Dublin. Newry had a population of 27,433 at the 2001 Census, while Newry and Mourne Council Area had a population...
, County Down
County Down
-Cities:*Belfast *Newry -Large towns:*Dundonald*Newtownards*Bangor-Medium towns:...
, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
. At an early age he moved, with his parents, to Kilkenny
Kilkenny
Kilkenny is a city and is the county town of the eponymous County Kilkenny in Ireland. It is situated on both banks of the River Nore in the province of Leinster, in the south-east of Ireland...
in the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
where his father, Patrick, worked as an engineer
Engineer
An engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical problems. Engineers design materials, structures, machines and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality,...
. After leaving St Kieran's College
St Kieran's College
St. Kieran's College, Kilkenny, Ireland is primarily a Secondary school for boys. It has long been a nursery for hurling, and is located on College Road in Kilkenny in County Kilkenny, Ireland.- History :...
secondary school, he studied classical animation at Ballyfermot College in Dublin. It was during his final year at Ballyfermot in 1998, that he co-founded the Cartoon Saloon
Cartoon Saloon
Cartoon Saloon is an Irish company which provides illustration, design, animation, film and TV services. The company is based in Kilkenny City. The company developed the successful cartoon series Skunk Fu!. Skunk Fu was nominated for a BAFTA Children's Award in October 2008. The company has...
animation studio with Paul Young, Ross Murray and Nora Twomey
Nora Twomey
Nora Twomey is an Irish animator and filmmaker. She is a partner in Cartoon Saloon, an animation studio and production company, based in Kilkenny City, Ireland.-Early life:...
. The studio created the television series Skunk Fu!
Skunk Fu!
Skunk Fu! is an Irish animated television series and IFTA award winning children's television series featuring the fables of anthropomorphic animals protecting their valley using martial arts...
Tomm is a nephew of the renowned singer/songwriter Kieran Goss
Kieran Goss
Kieran Goss is a Northern Irish contemporary singer-songwriter.-Biography:Kieran Goss was born and raised in Mayobridge, County Down, Northern Ireland. He was just nine years old when he got his first guitar...
.
Films
Moore's first animated feature filmFeature film
In the film industry, a feature film is a film production made for initial distribution in theaters and being the main attraction of the screening, rather than a short film screened before it; a full length movie...
, which he co-directed with Nora Twomey
Nora Twomey
Nora Twomey is an Irish animator and filmmaker. She is a partner in Cartoon Saloon, an animation studio and production company, based in Kilkenny City, Ireland.-Early life:...
, is The Secret of Kells, written by Fabrice Ziolkowski from Moore's story. It is a co-production by the Cartoon Saloon, Les Armateurs, Vivi Film and France 2 Cinéma. The film is a hand-drawn animation, set in 9th century Ireland, and partially based on and inspired by early Christian history and legend. It premiered on February 8, 2009, at the Berlin International Film Festival
Berlin International Film Festival
The Berlin International Film Festival , also called the Berlinale, is one of the world's leading film festivals and most reputable media events. It is held in Berlin, Germany. Founded in West Berlin in 1951, the festival has been celebrated annually in February since 1978...
. It went into wide release in Belgium and France on February 11, and in the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
on March 3. On February 2, 2010, it was announced that the film had been nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film
Academy Award for Best Animated Feature
The Academy Award for Best Animated Feature is one of the annual awards given by the Los Angeles-based professional organization, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences...
.
Moore is working on a second feature film entitled The Song of the Sea.
Awards
For The Secret of Kells- 2008: won the Directors Finders Award at the Directors Finders Series in Ireland
- 2009: won the Audience Award at the Annecy International Animated Film FestivalAnnecy International Animated Film FestivalThe Annecy International Animation Film Festival was created in 1960 and takes place at the beginning of June in the town of Annecy, France. Initially occurring every two years, the festival became annual in 1998...
- 2009: won the Audience Award at the Edinburgh International Film FestivalEdinburgh International Film FestivalThe Edinburgh International Film Festival is an annual fortnight of cinema screenings and related events taking place each June. Established in 1947, it is the world's oldest continually running film festival...
- 2009: won the Roy E. Disney Award at Seattle's 2D Or Not 2D Film Festival
- 2010: won the Best Animation award at the 7th Irish Film and Television Awards7th Irish Film and Television AwardsThe 7th Irish Film and Television Awards took place on 20 February 2010 in the Burlington Hotel, Dublin.It was hosted by Victoria Smurfit.-Awards in film:Best Film* The Eclipse ** Ondine** The Secret of Kells** Zonad...
- 2010: won the Rising Star Award, sponsored by Bord Scannán na hÉireann/the Irish Film BoardIrish Film BoardThe Irish Film Board is Ireland’s national film agency and major film funding body. It was recommended for abolition by the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes in 2009.-Formative years:...
at the 7th Irish Film and Television Awards7th Irish Film and Television AwardsThe 7th Irish Film and Television Awards took place on 20 February 2010 in the Burlington Hotel, Dublin.It was hosted by Victoria Smurfit.-Awards in film:Best Film* The Eclipse ** Ondine** The Secret of Kells** Zonad... - 2010: won the European Animated Feature Award at the British Animation Awards
Nominations
For The Secret of Kells- 2009: Grand Prix Award for Best Film in the Annecy International Animated Film FestivalAnnecy International Animated Film FestivalThe Annecy International Animation Film Festival was created in 1960 and takes place at the beginning of June in the town of Annecy, France. Initially occurring every two years, the festival became annual in 1998...
- 2009: Best Animated Film at the European Film Awards
- 2009: Annie AwardAnnie AwardThe Annie Awards have been presented by the Los Angeles, California branch of the International Animated Film Association, ASIFA-Hollywood since 1972...
for Best Animated Feature - 2010: Irish Film and Television AwardsIrish Film and Television AwardsThe Irish Film and Television Awards were first awarded in 2003. Its sole aim is to celebrate Ireland's notably talented film and television community...
for Best Film - 2010: Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film
Comics
He has drawn two Irish languageIrish language
Irish , also known as Irish Gaelic, is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family, originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish people. Irish is now spoken as a first language by a minority of Irish people, as well as being a second language of a larger proportion of...
graphic novels, An Sclábhaí ("the slave", 2001) and An Teachtaire ("the messenger", 2003), telling the story of St. Patrick. Both were written by Colmán Ó Raghallaigh and published in Ireland by Cló Mhaigh Eo. He has also created a two-volume graphic novel adaptation of The Secret of Kells, published in French as Brendan et le secret de Kells.
External links
- Cartoon Saloon
- The Secret of Kells official site
- The Blog of Kells - The Secret of Kells production blog
- The Blog of the Sea - The Song of the Sea production blog