(and more updates coming up later tomorrow… but this is a Major Stop The Press item)

(working title: Brendan and the Secret of Kells). Belgo-Franco-Irish animated film (on the Irish side: the director, Tomm Moore and Cartoon Saloon studios). Previewed at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival in June 2008 (see animationinsider). Premièred at the Berlin Film Festival a couple of days ago, on general release in Belgium and France tomorrow (11 February), and making its first appearance on our shores as the closing film at the Jameson International Film Festival here in Dublin (looking like it might be sold out, alas and alack…) on 22 February (at the Savoy in Dublin). Will be on general but limited release here in Ireland from 3 March (about a 3 week run, I’m told).

Synopsis: 9th century Ireland. Brendan, 12, is educated by his uncle, Abbot Cellach, who holds a firm grip on his nephew and expects him to follow in his footsteps. One day, Brendan meets Brother Aidan, a master illustrator who shows him the beauty of art and stimulates his creativity and fantasy. Finally, Brendan decides to break free in search of his dream: completing the Book of Kells. [edited Wikipedia version]
Adventures ensue … including the Book coming to life, off the page … and Vikings, a serpent-god, a magic crystal [of course], an enchanted forest, a wolf-girl, and MONKS, MONKS, MONKS!!!

From what I’ve seen online, it’s gorgeous. In a similar vein of gorgeousness to Spirited Away. The main web site for the film is thesecretofkells.com, and there’s a blog at, well, theblogofkells. There’s a trailer on that main site, and also elsewhere online (inc. YouTube – several hits from plain old Googling).