The OFFline Animation Residency began in 2018 with the concept of giving a small group of animators the headspace, financial space and office space to work on their passion projects for six months. What better place to welcome these creatives than Birr! To date, the Residency has seen 11 animators make the midlands town their home for six months every year, and the results are impressive! Year one saw one of the projects win an IFTA for Best Animated Short. Not to be outdone, year three of the Residency repeated that same feat! Projects made at the Residency have screened at prestigious festivals in Ireland, Europe and beyond. After five years a planned review of the Residency was conducted by Creative Strategic Solutions. In 2023 the Residency took stock, but will resume from its hiatus shortly, with a view to capitalising on the significant successes of the project to date, with plans in place to expand and intensify the experience and outcomes. The Residency aims to build the reputation of Birr as an inspirational, innovative and inventive space for creatives. It also allows local residents to meet and mingle with these animators during their stay.
The project is co-funded by the JVM Trench Trust and Creative Ireland, the latter through Offaly County Council. Initial equipment purchases were also co-funded by Birr 20|20 Vision and Offaly LEADER. Mentoring is provided by Offaly Local Enterprise Office. The projects are executively produced by Nicky Gogan of Piranha Bar (Industry Partner) and Gary Hoctor of Hello Camera Ltd.
