Ardán, as managers of Galway UNESCO City of Film (Ceantar Scannán) is delighted to invite applications from fellow UNESCO Cities of Film for participation in the Comhar Gaeilge Animation Residency taking place in August 2026 in Connemara, Galway, in the West of Ireland.
The Comhar Gaeilge Programme represents an exciting new phase in Ardán’s commitment to nurturing Irish-language screen talent through meaningful international collaboration. Building on the success of our 2025 Animation Exchange with Wellington, New Zealand, this initiative aims to further strengthen our partnerships within the network.
What does Ardán, Ceantar Scannán, and Comhar Gaeilge mean?
- Ardán means platform or stage in Irish – our team platforms creative talent development.
- Ceantar Scannán means region of film – as Galway city and county is a region of film.
- Comhar Gaeilge means Irish Collaboration– the main goal of this animation residency.
What is the Animation Residency about?
At the heart of the programme is a collaboration between Stiúideo Fia, Ardán, and Galway City of Film and the UNESCO Cities of Film Subnetwork. In August 2026, Stiúideo Fia will present Frame Fest, Ireland’s first stop-motion animation festival. As a two-day bilingual event, Frame Fest offers a unique platform for international artists, filmmakers, and animators to engage in screenings, workshops, exhibitions, and discussions celebrating handmade cinema and animation.
Read more about Frame Fest Frame Fest | Stiuideo Fia
What is offered through this opportunity?
Through the Comhar Gaeilge Programme, selected animators from UNESCO Cities of Film will participate in a curated residency experience in Connemara during the festival. The residency will immerse participants in Gaeilge (Irish language) and Gaeltacht (Irish language region) culture while facilitating collaboration and international creative exchange.
Frame Fest residency highlights include:
- Special stop-motion film screenings, including work connected to Captain Morten and the Spider Queen
- Artist talks and behind-the-scenes insights from international stop-motion professionals
- Hands-on workshops exploring puppet making, animation and storytelling
- Irish-language stop-motion screening for children
- The Best Irish-Language Stop-Motion Award, supported by TG4
- The Pota Café Stop-Motion Challenge for emerging animators
- Sketch & Walk in the Connemara landscape with artists
Read about Connemara: Discover Connemara Best Beaches, Walks, & Places to Stay
As part of the residency, Ardán will provide:
- Stipend toward return flights to and from Dublin Airport, Ireland (to the value of €500 and subject to visa)
- Airport transfers to Galway City from Dublin Airport
- Transport from Galway City to Connemara and back
- Accommodation and meals from Friday, August 28th to Monday, August 31st in Connemara
- Full access to Frame Fest for the two-day bilingual event
- Networking opportunities with local and national screen industry creatives
Who can apply for the residency and how?
Applicants should apply for this residency directly through their local City of Film coordinator. Ardán will then invite the coordinators to nominate animators, filmmakers, or screen artists. Applicants should have an interest in stop-motion and handmade animation or animation in general. Participants do not need a high level of experience, but rather an openness to learn and an interest in being immersed in our Gaeltacht culture.
How will the recipients be selected?
Ardán invites each City of Film to put forward a candidate by EOD, Wednesday, June 24th . From this, Ardán will select a total of three participants to take part in the 2026 Comhar Gaeilge Animation Residency leaving sufficient time for a selection process and to allow for travel and accommodation logistics to be organised. The programme will be delivered in English & Irish (Gaeilge). Ardán will not be in a position to provide translators for this programme, but participants will be able to speak in English with the coordinators and festival managers.
Participants will be expected to fly into Dublin Airport, Ireland on Friday, August 28th by noon and return from Dublin on Monday, August 31st after 4pm. Accommodation will be provided in Connemara for 3 nights from August 28th–31st.
Animation Residency Application Deadline:
The closing date for Cities of Film coordinators to put forward a candidate from your city will be EOD, Wednesday, June 24th, 2026. Each candidate portfolio should include:
- Full Name
- City of Film Connection
- Educational/ Industry Experience
- A paragraph on why they are the right candidate (100 words)
- Online portfolio links, if available
Candidates will be selected and Cities of Film will be notified by July 3rd. Following successful selection and acceptance, applicant flights for the residency should be booked by July 24th to allow sufficient time for organising programme logistics.
Ardán looks forward to welcoming artists from across the UNESCO Creative Cities Network to Galway and Connemara for this unique celebration of language, culture, and animation.
For more information contact your local City of Film coordinator or julie@ardan.ie
About Galway City of Film
The Comhar Gaeilge Animation Residency is part of the annual Galway City of Film programme for 2026, which is managed by Ardán on behalf of Galway City Arts Office and Galway County Arts Office, with support from Fís Éireann/ Screen Ireland and the Department of Culture, Communications & Sport.
Home – Landing Page – Galway City of Film
About Ardán:
Ardán, a platform for creative talent, is a registered charity based in Galway city, and operating in the West of Ireland and beyond. We support creatives in the audio-visual industry, in film, TV, games, and animation, through funding, training, and events, and by providing opportunities for entry, emerging, and established individuals working in the screen sector.
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