There had been a huge buzz about Pink Kong Studios ever since the enterprising duo of Aoífe Doyle (Creative Director) and Niamh Herrity (Producer) got the ball rolling on the project all the way back in 2014.

Delivering original, high-end animated content for kids and early teens is no easy feat in itself, but coupling that with some of the most tear-jerking storylines we've seen since Disney brought out UP, meant that anyone who came across their work knew that they deserved all the recognition they could get.

And, having gone decidedly misty-eyed after watching their latest animation Departure - which tells the story of a lonely grandmother who decides to throw off her solitary, domestic lifestyle and embark on a trek to be reunited with her family - Hot Press were delighted to learn that it was given a nod by the IFTAs in the best 'Best Animated Short' category this month, alongside the likes of An Beal Bocht, Angela's Christmas and Late Afternoon.

The film went down a storm when it premiered at the Galway Film Fleadh during the summer, and it seems as if the still-young Pink Kong have set their course for a successful future.

Look out for them at the IFTAs this April and find out more about their work at pinkkongstudios.ie