‘Julián’ Director Louise Bagnall on Telling a ‘Joyful’ Story About Kids’ Self-Expression in the Animated Feature

Irish animation studio Cartoon Saloon has released its latest feature, "Julián," which marks the directorial debut of Louise Bagnall. Bagnall, the creative director of Cartoon Saloon, began her career as a character designer on the 2017 film "The Breadwinner" and later wrote and directed her own short, "Late Afternoon," which was nominated for an Oscar.

Bagnall discovered the children's book "Julián Is a Mermaid" by Jessica Love and was captivated by its illustrations, characters, and story, which had a joyful tone and explored themes of self-expression without dictating to the reader. The film follows seven-year-old Julián, who spends time with his Dominican grandmother in Brooklyn, and the neighborhood becomes a place of imagination and discovery for him.

The film aimed to delve deeper into self-expression and understanding oneself through the characters of Julián and his Abuela. The cultural authenticity of the film was brought to life by screenwriter Juliany Taveras, who provided valuable insights and conversations that felt real and personable. The film's distribution is currently handled by Gebeka Films in France, Elevation Pictures in Canada, Elysian Films in the United Kingdom, and Wildcard Distribution in Ireland.