Wolfwalkers follows town girl Robyn’s magical encounter with Mebh, a descendant of the mystical wolfwalker tribe. Leading the wolfpack with her free-spirited soul, Mebh possesses superpowers that allow her to transform into a wolf at night and heal Robyn’s beloved pet bird. Mebh and Robyn’s innocent friendship is soon tested by Robyn’s domineering father and a power-hungry lawmaker who wants to claim the forest and annihilate Mebh’s wolfpack.

This film is the last of Cartoon Saloon’s Irish folklore trilogy. It is a visual and narrative feast that resonates with audiences of all ages. Known for their exceptional craftsmanship, Cartoon Saloon infuses traditional 2D animation with hand-drawn elements on digitally planned storyboards and camera angles. This offers a vivid, immersive wolf-vision experience while maintaining a consistent picture book aesthetic. Wolfwalkers adapts the perspective of two young girls, but co-directors and co-writers Tomm Moore and Ross Stewart give depth to every character, exploring a parent’s unwillingness to let go, a tyrant’s insecurities, and a friend’s betrayal, making it more than just a children’s story. Initially released in the United Kingdom during COVID-19, the film has remained a hidden gem among recent animated feature films.

Tomm Moore (b. 1977, United Kingdom) is a filmmaker, writer, animator, illustrator, and the co-founder of Irish animation studio Cartoon Saloon. Moore debuted with The Secret of Kells in 2009, which won the Audience Award at the Annecy Film Festival in 2009, a nomination for an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film of the Year in 2010, and other prestigious awards. Tomm’s careful observation of human subconsciousness allows him to develop authentic characters that share emotional complexity with many. His subsequent films, Song of the Sea (2014) and Wolfwalkers (2020), have also garnered critical acclaim, making him a notable director of the contemporary animation scene.

Ross Stewart (b. 1976, Ireland) is a painter, illustrator, art director, and film director. With an impressionist’s touch, his artistic practice evolves around nature, landscapes, and animals. Stewart also works as an art director and concept artist for animations, of which notable titles include The Secret of Kells (2009), ParaNorman (2012), The Prophet (2014), and Song of the Sea (2014). Wolfwalkers (2020) is the first animated feature film Stewart co-directed with Tomm Moore.