Muireann Mulvihill, a talented young animator from Lawlor’s Cross, achieved major success at the 2026 Animation Dingle Festival.

Her short film, Anam, created alongside collaborator Ailbhe Fearon at IADT Dún Laoghaire, became one of the most decorated entries in the history of the prestigious event.
The film was selected from 108 international entries and went on to win seven awards out of nine nominations. The accolades included Best Irish Student, Best Writer, Best Art Direction, Best 2D Animation, Best Original Score, Best Sound Design, and the Best Irish Language Award.
As a qualifying festival for the Student Academy Awards, the wins at Animation Dingle provide a significant platform for the Killarney native. Festival Director Maurice Galway noted the high standard of work on display, highlighting the creativity of emerging artists currently shaping the future of Irish storytelling.
Muireann’s achievement follows a period of significant artistic success for Killarney natives on the global stage, including recent Academy Award recognition for actress Jessie Buckley. This latest success at one of Europe’s leading animation festivals marks a major milestone for the Lawlor’s Cross animator as she enters the professional industry.