David O'Reilly wins Cartoon d'Or 2009

At the Cartoon Forum, currently being held in the Norwegian city of Stavanger, the winner of the Cartoon d'Or 2009 has been revealed. This year's jury is made up of the directors Serge Elissalde, Kari Juusonen and Tomm Moore (director of Brendan and the Secret of Kells, expect our interview with him soon) and picked something rather special. After Benjamin Renner (A Mouse's Tale, 2008) from France and Luis Cook (The Pearce Sisters, 2007) and Joanna Quinn from Britain (Dreams and Desires - Family Ties, 2006), this time it's the Irish-born German-based David O'Reilly and his Please Say Something to take home the prestigious golden award for best European animated short film. In addition to the trophy for his groundbreaking contemporary 3D short about a troubled relationship between a cat and a mouse set in the distant future, O'Reilly will also receive funding for his next project.

It isn't the first time for Please Say Something to get awarded. Among other awards it already won the Golden Bear for Best Short Film at the 59th Berlin International Film Festival. Jury member / director Tomm Moore told ScreenAnarchy "His short was selected from a very high quality selection because of its original take on CG animation and the emotional strength of the piece". Other finalists for the Cartoon d'Or 2009, selected from a total of 29 candidates, included Uzi and Lotta Geffenblad for Aston's Stones (Sweden), Merwan Chabane for Party Animals (France), Bastien Dubois for Madagascar, Carnet de Voyage (France) and Nick Park for Wallace & Gromit: A Matter of Loaf and Death (United Kingdom).

Relevant Links:
- Website for Cartoon d'Or
- David O'Reilly Animation website
- Watch Please Say Something in HD (watch it!)