Awards for the Animation Elite: Zlín Film Festival Honors Cartoon Saloon and Maurfilm Studios
31. May 2026
They are unique and capable of competing with global giants without losing their creative freedom or distinct identity. This is precisely what unites the Irish studio Cartoon Saloon and the Czech studio Maurfilm, both of which received festival honors yesterday. It was an extraordinary evening for this year’s 66th Zlín Film Festival.
Presented as part of the Honoring the Greats program, the award highlights creators who have long enriched the world of cinema for children and youth, reaching audiences across generations with their stories. For this year's laureates, it was a wonderful opportunity to show that world-class animation does not have to be born solely within giant Hollywood corporations, but rather grows out of honest craftsmanship, bold themes, and a distinctive visual style.
Tomm Moore, co-founder, director, and animator of the Irish studio Cartoon Saloon—which already boasts five Academy Award nominations—personally accepted the award. Representing the Czech colors and the domestic school of animation was producer and founder of Maurfilm studio, Martin Vandas.
Both honored studios have long been pushing the boundaries of contemporary animation and rank among the most prominent creators of films for children and young audiences. Their work proves that an animated film can be artistically exceptional, internationally understood, and appealing to audiences all at once. The Honoring the Greats award is an expression of gratitude for their inspiring contribution to world animation,
stated Markéta Pášmová, the festival's artistic director.
The Irish studio Cartoon Saloon is one of the most acclaimed European animation studios today. It became renowned for its signature feature films inspired by Irish history and mythology. Titles such as The Secret of Kells, Song of the Sea, and Wolfwalkers earned Oscar nominations as well as numerous other international awards, establishing the studio as one of the key voices in European animation.
The Prague-based studio Maurfilm has long focused on auteur animation and international co-productions. Among its most prominent projects are the Oscar-nominated short film Daughter (Dcera), the feature The Crossing (Přes hranici), or the latest Grandmother's Tales (Pohádky pro babičku). Its work has been screened and awarded at prestigious festivals, including the Berlinale and Annecy, where it regularly reaffirms the high standard of Czech animation production.
Prior to the ceremony itself, both creators delighted the festival audience with an open discussion at the Congress Centre. There, they revealed the behind-the-scenes secrets of their work and demonstrated just how demanding yet fascinating the process is when characters loved by viewers all over the world come to life under the hands of animators.