19th June 2025 —Kylemore Road Campus
Last week our campus buzzed with creative energy as we welcomed a delegation from ESCENA — Escuela de Animación in Mexico City, led by renowned animation educator Fraser MacLean and a talented team of faculty and prize-winning students taking part in #Crunchtime2025, their international animation-jam tour.
Sharing Ideas and Industry Insights
Principal Cecilia Munro, Deputy Principal Kenneth Rea, Industry Liaison Officer Orla Daly, and Gwen “Weimann” Fagan (Programme Coordinator of our BA (Hons) in Visual Media) joined for a wide-ranging roundtable on:
- emerging trends in 2D & 3D production pipelines
- best practice in studio-ready education
- the distinctive strengths of Ireland’s animation ecosystem—tax incentives, vibrant indie studios, and a supportive creative network
The conversation was lively, practical, and—true to both schools’ spirit—brimming with humour and curiosity.
Showcasing Student Talent
We screened a curated reel of Ballyfermot FET College student shorts and graduate showpieces, sparking animated Q&A sessions on everything from virtual production to stop-motion set design. ESCENA, in turn, introduced us to PII, their well-travelled plush mascot, who arrived sporting a tiny suitcase full of badges from previous residencies around the world.
Campus Tour & Industry Connections
After a walkthrough of our animation suites, green-screen stage, and the brand-new Foley studio, the group headed across town to Brown Bag Films. There, ESCENA participants enjoyed an exclusive workshop and behind-the-scenes tour that underscored just how intertwined our academic programmes are with Ireland’s leading studios.
A heartfelt gracias / go raibh maith agat to our new friends from ESCENA. We’re already brainstorming the next chapter—perhaps a joint #Crunchtime event on our campus in 2026. Until then, safe travels and keep those pencils moving!
