Giovanna Ferrari

Giovanna Ferrari
Born
Italy
Occupations
  • Director
  • Storyboard Artist
  • Animator
  • Head of Story
Years activeSince 2000
Known for
Websitegiovannaferrari.com

Giovanna Ferrari is an Italian director and animator based in Kilkenny, Ireland.[1] Her notable credits include projects such as Wolfwalkers (2020)[2] and The Breadwinner (2017)[3] both of which were nominated for Best Animated Feature[4] at the Academy Awards.[5] Her short film Éiru (2025) was shortlisted in the Best Animated Short Film[6] for the 98th Academy Awards.

Career

Giovanna Ferrari started her career after graduating from the Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia[7] in Turin. She worked in several studios in Europe, as an assistant at Achtoons in Bologna, Italy, and at Prima Linea Productions in France. Her work at Studio 352 on the animated feature Song Of The Sea[8] (2014) led her to a lasting work collaboration with the studio Cartoon Saloon based in Ireland.

Ferrari first worked as an animator for Cartoon Saloon in 2014, before taking on the role of storyboard artist and animator on their feature The Breadwinner directed by Nora Twomey which earned her an Emile Award[9] in 2018. She then animated on Tomm Moore and Ross Stewarts' Wolfwalkers.[10] Both films were critically acclaimed and nominated for an Academy Award.[11] In 2018, she started working as Head of Story and animation director on Cartoon Saloon's My Father's Dragon[12] directed by Nora Twomey and coproduced by Netflix.[13]

In 2025, Giovanna Ferrari directed her short film Éiru,[14] following a little girl trying to prove her worth to her clan.[15] The film was produced by Cartoon Saloon director and producer Nora Twomey[16] and is infused with Irish traditional references and folklore.[17] The short film was well received by critics and awarded in various international festivals. It was featured during the theatrical run of Little Amélie or the Character of Rain (2025) in North America.[18]

Selected filmography

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Nominated work Status
2018 Emile Award Best Storyboard[19] The Breadwinner Won
2023 Irish Animation Award Best Storyboarding[20] My Father's Dragon Won

References

  1. ^ "Giovanna Ferrari Bio storyboard giovanna ferrari". Giovanna Ferrari. Retrieved 2026-01-15.
  2. ^ "Éiru : Trailer (court de Giovanna Ferrari & Cartoon Saloon) - News/Brève | Catsuka". www.catsuka.com (in French). Retrieved 2026-01-15.
  3. ^ Amidi, Amid (2018-12-08). "'Prince Ivandoe,' And 'The Breadwinner' Dominate European Animation Awards; Full Winners List". www.cartoonbrew.com. Retrieved 2026-01-15.
  4. ^ "Nora Twomey's The Breadwinner Wins Four Major Awards at the 2018 Emile Awards". Screen Ireland. Retrieved 2026-01-15.
  5. ^ Jackson, Angelique (2021-04-23). "CAA Signs Cartoon Saloon, Oscar-Nominated Animation Studio Behind 'Wolfwalkers' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 2026-01-15.
  6. ^ "98TH OSCARS® SHORTLISTS IN 12 AWARD CATEGORIES ANNOUNCED". press.oscars.org. Retrieved 2026-01-15.
  7. ^ "Oscar 2015, candidati anche tre animatori italiani: "Speriamo di farcela"". Il Fatto Quotidiano (in Italian). 2015-02-16. Retrieved 2026-01-15.
  8. ^ "La canzone del mare, favola d'amore in Irlanda - Cinema". Agenzia ANSA (in Italian). 2016-06-21. Retrieved 2026-01-15.
  9. ^ "'The Breadwinner' and 'The Heroic Quest of the Valiant Prince Ivandoe' Take Home Emile Awards". Animation World Network. Retrieved 2026-01-15.
  10. ^ Chatterjee, Pramit (2020-11-02). "SCAD Savannah Film Festival 'Wolfwalkers' Review: An Animated Masterpiece That's Too Good To Be True". Mashable India. Retrieved 2026-01-15.
  11. ^ "Apple earns historic Academy Award nominations for "Wolfwalkers" and "Greyhound"". Apple Newsroom. Retrieved 2026-01-15.
  12. ^ "'My Father's Dragon': A Timeless, Truthful Take on Facing Fears". Animation World Network. Retrieved 2026-01-15.
  13. ^ "Cartoon Saloon's My Father's Dragon is crowned Best Irish Feature at the Irish Animation Awards". Cineuropa - the best of european cinema. 2023-06-01. Retrieved 2026-01-15.
  14. ^ Lang, Jamie (2026-01-08). "Director Giovanna Ferrari's Favorite Shot From 'Éiru'". www.cartoonbrew.com. Retrieved 2026-01-15.
  15. ^ Lang, Jamie (2025-10-10). "'Éiru': Cartoon Saloon's Celtic Myth Short Eyes the Oscars". www.cartoonbrew.com. Retrieved 2026-01-15.
  16. ^ Zahed, Ramin (2025-10-24). "Meet Éiru, the Iron Age Warrior of Cartoon Saloon's Acclaimed New Short by Giovanna Ferrari". Animation Magazine. Retrieved 2026-01-15.
  17. ^ "'Éiru': The Irish Wild's Call for Connection". Animation World Network. Retrieved 2026-01-15.
  18. ^ Milligan, Mercedes (2025-10-16). "Cartoon Saloon Short 'Éiru' Heads to NorAm Theaters with 'Little Amélie' Release". Animation Magazine. Retrieved 2026-01-15.
  19. ^ Kroustallis, Vassilis (2018-12-09). "The Breadwinner, This Magnificent Cake!, Enough Win at the 2018 European Animation Awards". Zippy Frames. Retrieved 2026-01-15.
  20. ^ "My Father's Dragon dominates Irish Animation Awards". Irish Animation Awards. 2023-06-01. Retrieved 2026-01-16.
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