"Nollaí," an enchanting new animated Christmas film about a giant Irish deer, will be broadcast this holiday season in Irish, Welsh, and English.
Irish language TV channel TG4, in a landmark collaboration with BBC Northern Ireland and Welsh language station S4C, invites viewers into a magical, heartwarming adventure led by Nollaig – or Nollaí as he’s lovingly known, an ordinary deer with an extraordinary secret.
The festive special, from Belfast-based Taunt Studios, will premiere on Sunday, December 14, broadcasting in Irish on TG4 and Cúla4, and on BBC Two Northern Ireland and BBC iPlayer, and in Welsh on S4C. An English version will broadcast on BBC One Northern Ireland and BBC iPlayer the following week.
Written by Grace Loughrey and directed by Tom Getty, "Nollaí" is a story about a young deer on a journey of self-discovery.
Nollaig (or Nollaí for short) is a little tall for a deer, but he’s always been told he’s big boned. He lives on a farm with his human family - best friend and sister, Sadhbh, and 'Daid' - who found him one wintry night ten years ago in the stone circle on the mountain and took him in.
As the years pass, Nollaí contends with his giant size in a human world but otherwise loves the community he lives in. Then, one day, everything is flipped on its head as he accidentally stumbles across a surprise that reveals he is quite possibly the last living Megaloceros giganteus (aka the extinct giant deer) in existence!
This discovery leads Nollaí and Sadhbh on a quest back to the stone cairn in search of his origins. Along the way they bump into Stoca, a slightly chaotic Christmas-loving bat who is more than happy to join them on their journey. Together they arrive at the stone circle and discover a portal to another world - the realm of the giant deer!
But before he can find out more, the portal starts to close - Will Nollaí stay in the land of his ancestors or reunite with his human family?
Northern Irish actor Conor MacNeill ("The Sixth Commandment," "The Tourist," "Derry Girls") voices the character Daid in the Irish and English language versions of the film. Additional cast for the Irish and English versions includes: Jude Hartigan (Nollaí), Blaithín McCusker (Sadhbh), Mary Flanigan (Stoca), Dannan Flynn (Oisín), Niall Mac Eachmharcaigh (Giant Deer).
Cast for the Welsh language version are Osian Snelson (Nolig), Marged Llwyd (Siân), Clare Hingott (Siriol), Albi Morgan (Osian), Dion Davies (Dad), and Dafydd Emyr (Cawr-Garw).
"Nollaí" is produced with support from Northern Ireland Screen’s Irish Language Broadcast Fund (ILBF) and Screen Fund, and Coimisiún na Meán.
“We are absolutely delighted to commission TG4’s first-ever animated Christmas special, a truly exciting international co-production with our wonderful partners," said TG4 commissioning editor, Máire Uí Choisdealbha.
"This collaboration brings together an extraordinary blend of creative talent and cultural storytelling from Ireland and Wales, resulting in a festive film we believe will enchant families for years to come."
Karen Kirby, Commissioning Executive for BBC Northern Ireland, describes the film as "a delightful tale of love and belonging, a universal story which can be told in multiple languages and is brilliantly brought to life through the incredible acting talents of the cast, the animation team and musicians."
Sioned Geraint, S4C’s Content Commissioner – Children and Learners, said: "This is a beautiful and endearing animated film which will resonate with so many of our viewers and be a highlight of our festive schedule for children and families for years to come.
"It’s been great working with our Celtic friends again and build on the ever growing relationship between TG4 and S4C, and being able to launch this film in Irish and Welsh on the same day on both channels is perfect.”
Áine Walsh, Chief Language & Cultural Officer and Head of Irish Language Broadcast Fund at Northern Ireland Screen, said: "This festive story, steeped in Irish folklore, will delight young audiences and offer the whole family a shared Christmas experience in Irish. We’re thrilled it will be seen on BBC NI, TG4, Cúla4 and S4C, highlighting the strength of high-quality content being created locally for families across Ireland and beyond.”
Tom Getty, Taunt Studios and Aisling McElroy, Taunt Studios, said: “All of us at Taunt have had such a wonderful time creating our little film Nollaí. As a bunch of Christmas lovers, it was a dream come true to be able to spend the last year bringing this to life. None of this would have been possible without the support of BBC NI, TG4 and S4C, as well as our funders ILBF, Northern Ireland Screen and Coimisiún na Meán. We hope you all like it as much as we do.”
"Nollaí" will air on Sunday, December 14 at 5:05pm on TG4 and Cúla4 (Irish) and S4C (Welsh). It will also be broadcast later the same evening on BBC Two Northern Ireland and BBC NI iPlayer (Irish) at 6:40pm.
An English language version of Nollaí is set to air on Sunday, December 21 at 4: 10pm on BBC One Northern Ireland and BBC iPlayer.
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