TG4, BBC Northern Ireland, and S4C have joined forces for an animated Christmas movie that will air in Irish and Welsh.
The film will air on TG4, Cúla4, BBC Two Northern Ireland, and BBC iPlayer in Irish; and in Welsh on S4C.
The co-production is supported by Northern Ireland Screen’s Irish Language Broadcast Fund (ILBF), Screen Fund and Coimisiún na Meán. Produced by Taunt Studios, it premieres December 14.
Máire Uí Choisdealbha, commissioning editor at TG4, said, “We are absolutely delighted to commission TG4’s first-ever animated Christmas special, a truly exciting international co-production with our wonderful partners. This collaboration brings together an extraordinary blend of creative talent and cultural storytelling from Ireland and Wales, resulting in a festive film we believe will enchant families for years to come. It’s a milestone for TG4 and a celebration of the shared cultural imagination that unites our broadcasters. We can’t wait for audiences to experience the magic.”
Karen Kirby, commissioning executive for BBC Northern Ireland, noted, “This is the first collaboration of its kind for BBC Northern Ireland and BBC Gaeilge and we’re delighted to join with our broadcast and funding partners to bring this beautifully animated Christmas story to our audiences on BBC iPlayer and on BBC NI television. Nollaí is a delightful tale of love and belonging, a universal story which can be told in multiple languages and is brilliantly brought to life through the incredible acting talents of the cast, the animation team and musicians. I hope it will be a film that all generations can enjoy together over the Christmas period.”
Sioned Geraint, S4C’s content commissioner for children and learners, noted: “I’m delighted that S4C has been a part of Nollai or Nolig in Welsh. This is a beautiful and endearing animated film which will resonate with so many of our viewers and be a highlight of our festive schedule for children and families for years to come. It’s been great working with our Celtic friends again and building on the ever-growing relationship between TG4 and S4C, and being able to launch this film in Irish and Welsh on the same day on both channels is perfect.”
Rónán Ó Domhnaill, media development commissioner at Coimisiún na Meán, noted: “We are delighted to support the production of Nollaí through our Sound & Vision Funding Scheme, which is all about supporting the creation of new, innovative Irish language content that will be enjoyed by audiences young and old.”
Áine Walsh, chief language and cultural officer and head of the Irish Language Broadcast Fund at Northern Ireland Screen, added, “In our 20th anniversary year, the Irish Language Broadcast Fund is proud to support Nollaí, the first-ever Irish language animated Christmas special made in the North. It showcases the ambition and talent of our local creative teams, who brought skill and collaboration to every stage of the project. This festive story, steeped in Irish folklore, will delight young audiences and offer the whole family a shared Christmas experience in Irish. We’re thrilled it will be seen on BBC NI, TG4, Cúla4 and S4C, highlighting the strength of high-quality content being created locally for families across Ireland and beyond.”
Tom Getty and Aisling McElroy at Taunt Studios noted, “All of us at Taunt have had such a wonderful time creating our little film Nollaí. As a bunch of Christmas lovers, it was a dream come true to be able to spend the last year bringing this to life. None of this would have been possible without the support of BBC NI, TG4 and S4C, as well as our funders ILBF, Northern Ireland Screen and Coimisiún na Meán. We hope you all like it as much as we do.”
