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Brown Bag Films

Brown Bag Films is an specializing in creative-led and productions for children, including television series, short films, and specials. Founded in 1994 by Gaffney and Darragh O'Connell in , the studio has grown to include facilities in and , employing 202 staff across its locations as of 2024. Acquired by the Canadian company in 2015, Brown Bag Films has produced content for major broadcasters and platforms such as , , , and , earning recognition for its original storytelling and technical innovation. The studio's early work included hand-painted cel-animated series like the satirical Peig for in 1994, marking its entry into Irish television. Over the decades, Brown Bag Films expanded into international co-productions, contributing to acclaimed projects such as the Disney Junior series , , and , as well as the Nickelodeon adaptation . Its short films have garnered significant awards, including two Academy Award nominations for Best Animated Short Film: Give Up Yer Aul Sins in 2002 and Granny O'Grimm's in 2010. Additionally, the studio has secured more than 20 , including Daytime and Children's & Family Emmys, highlighting its impact on children's . Recent productions underscore Brown Bag Films' ongoing commitment to diverse, educational content, such as the Netflix series Eva the Owlet and the show , the Netflix specials Dr. Seuss's Horton (2025) and The Sneetches (2025), alongside holiday specials like (2017), which featured voice talent including and received multiple Emmy nominations. The studio has also earned 11 nominations for the 2025 Children's & Family and a double win at the 2025 Irish Animation Awards. With a focus on pushing creative and technical boundaries, the studio continues to collaborate with global partners, maintaining its reputation as one of Europe's leading animation producers.

Overview

Founding and early operations

Brown Bag Films was established in by Gaffney and Darragh O'Connell in , , after the two art college students dropped out to pursue their passion for . With a modest loan of £2,000, they founded the studio as a small operation specializing in hand-painted cel , producing their inaugural project—a satirical take on the Irish literary figure —for , which was shot on 35mm film using traditional techniques. In its early years, the studio concentrated on short-form content and service work, operating from a rented Georgian house off Gardiner Street. From 1995, Brown Bag produced commercials and illustrations, expanding into contributions for ITV's anthology series Wolves, Witches & Giants and CD-ROM games by 1996, alongside continued advertising projects. The late 1990s brought further milestones, including animation services for Warner Bros.' The King & I in 1997, original RTÉ series like Barstool and Taxi that year, and the 1998 educational program Why?, which achieved international distribution in over 100 countries. Notable short films from this period included the award-winning The Last Elk (1999), while the Oscar-nominated Give Up Yer Aul Sins (2001) exemplified their humorous style rooted in Irish storytelling. By the late 1990s, Brown Bag Films began transitioning from traditional cel animation to methods, investing in computers and Ireland's first Animo ink-and-paint in to streamline production. This shift started with rudimentary computer-assisted tasks, such as background enhancements and texturing, amid some resistance to moving away from hand-drawn processes, but it enabled greater efficiency as the studio grew. Early expansions included relocating in to a larger space behind a , with initial staff hiring to support an expanding workload in commercials, shorts, and broadcast content. As an startup, Brown Bag Films grappled with significant constraints, launching on a £2,000 budget and relying on freelance gigs in a nascent industry with limited and support. These challenges fostered a lean, innovative operation in modest facilities, setting the foundation for future growth before its acquisition by in 2015.

Corporate structure and locations

Brown Bag Films has operated as a division of 9 Story Media Group since its acquisition in 2015, enabling synergies such as combined expertise in 3D animation production and global distribution networks that enhance content licensing and international reach. This integration allows Brown Bag to leverage 9 Story's resources for streamlined operations, including shared post-production facilities and expanded market access for original IP. The company's primary studio is located in , , established as the original base upon the studio's founding in 1994. Additional facilities include studios in , , and , , which was integrated around 2019 to capitalize on cost efficiencies and access to a burgeoning animation talent pool in . Internally, Brown Bag Films is organized into key divisions focused on animation production, in-house , and creative development teams, supporting end-to-end workflows from concept to delivery. As of 2025, the company employs approximately 400 staff across these divisions and global locations. This decentralized structure facilitates key partnerships with major broadcasters, including for series like , for and , and for co-productions such as the adaptation. These collaborations benefit from the multi-studio setup, which enables efficient handling of international co-productions by distributing tasks across time zones and specialized teams for faster turnaround and diverse creative input.

History

Independent era (1994–2015)

Brown Bag Films marked its independent era with a strategic expansion into animation pipelines beginning in 1997, moving away from hand-painted cels and 35mm to embrace computer-based workflows that enabled greater efficiency and creative flexibility. By the mid-2000s, the studio further advanced by incorporating 3D elements, a pivotal shift that positioned it to handle complex programming for global broadcasters. This technological evolution was driven by the need to compete internationally, allowing Brown Bag to produce higher-quality content while scaling operations from its base. A highlight of this period was the studio's continued success with award-winning short films, exemplified by Granny O'Grimm's Sleeping Beauty (2008), directed by Nicky Phelan and featuring a darkly comedic retelling of the through an elderly storyteller's perspective. The short garnered widespread acclaim, including an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Short Film in 2010 and victories at international festivals such as the , solidifying Brown Bag's reputation for innovative storytelling in animation. These festival achievements, building on earlier successes like the 2002 Oscar-nominated Give Up Yer Aul Sins, helped establish the studio as a key player in the European and global animation scene. The launch of (2009–2016) represented Brown Bag's breakthrough into major television production, developed in partnership with and as its first 3D preschool series. Premiering on in the United States on January 26, 2009, the show followed the imaginative adventures of a young piglet and her family, airing over 40 episodes and introducing the studio to the lucrative preschool market with its blend of humor and relatable child-centric narratives. This project not only expanded Brown Bag's portfolio but also demonstrated its capability to deliver broadcast-ready for international audiences. Building momentum, Brown Bag Films developed Doc McStuffins (2012–2020) for Disney Junior, a landmark series that premiered on March 23, 2012, and spanned 135 episodes across five seasons. The show innovated in toy-based storytelling, centering on a six-year-old girl who operates a toy hospital, using her "check-ups" to explore themes of health, empathy, and problem-solving through original songs and interactive scenarios. Produced primarily at the Dublin studio, it achieved record viewership for preschool premieres and earned multiple awards, including Emmys, underscoring the studio's expertise in educational animation. Throughout the late 2000s, Brown Bag navigated financial and creative challenges, including the impact of the 2008 global recession, by streamlining operations—such as closing its commercials division in 2009 to prioritize television series—and leveraging festival recognition to secure high-profile commissions. Named European Producer of the Year at the 2009 Cartoon Forum, the studio cultivated an international reputation through consistent award wins and partnerships, culminating in a robust pre-acquisition portfolio that reached millions of viewers worldwide.

9 Story Media Group subsidiary (2015–present)

On August 18, 2015, acquired Brown Bag Films, integrating the studio into its portfolio and providing expanded resources for international distribution and production scaling. This move leveraged 9 Story's expertise in licensing and North American markets, allowing Brown Bag to secure larger budgets for ambitious projects while retaining its creative independence under founders Cathal Gaffney and Darragh O'Connell. Post-acquisition, Brown Bag launched key series that capitalized on these opportunities, including extensions of the franchise. The studio also produced for from 2017 to 2021, a 72-episode series following a young girl navigating life in , emphasizing themes of diverse representation through its multicultural cast and inclusive about and . Building on independent-era successes like , these projects strengthened Brown Bag's position in preschool animation. In recent years, Brown Bag expanded operations with the 2019 establishment of its studio, formerly BASE Animation Studios, to handle 3D asset creation and outsourcing for global pipelines. The studio adapted to the streaming surge through partnerships like deals for adaptations, including the 2025 animated series Horton! (7 episodes), directed by Bronagh O'Hanlon, which premiered on October 6, 2025. Releases include the series RoboGobo, which premiered on January 17, 2025, and was renewed for a second season premiering November 29, 2025, about animal superheroes in cybersuits, highlighting family dynamics and heroism. The prompted Brown Bag to implement remote production workflows, closing physical offices and enabling distributed teams across , , and to continue projects via cloud-based tools. This shift facilitated a broader focus on inclusive content, exemplified by Let's Go, Bananas! (2024–present), a 9 Story co-production depicting three diverse families through kid-narrated stories of everyday joys and challenges, promoting and cultural representation; the series won the 2025 Kidscreen Award for Best Inclusivity in Preschool Programming.

Productions

Television series

Brown Bag Films has produced a range of animated television series primarily targeted at and early elementary audiences, with episodes typically running 11 to 22 minutes to suit short attention spans and educational formats. These series often emphasize , adventure, and social-emotional development, broadcast on major networks like , , and . Key productions include (2012–2016), a 3D-animated based on Potter's characters, featuring 104 episodes across two seasons that follow the mischievous and his navigating the while learning about friendship and problem-solving; it aired on and . (2010–present), an underwater exploration show with 121 episodes plus specials in total (as of 2025), highlights marine science and teamwork through the adventures of an animal crew; Brown Bag Films handled the initial four seasons, totaling 104 episodes, broadcast on and . (2014–present), a co-production with Acamar Films, comprises 104 episodes depicting the everyday curiosities of a young bunny and his carer, focusing on toddler emotions and routines; it has aired on with international distribution. Other notable series are (2012–2020), a Disney Junior production where a girl "doctor" treats toys, spanning 136 episodes that promote empathy and health awareness for preschoolers; (2017–2021), another Disney Junior collaboration with 72 episodes exploring a young vampire's adjustment to human life, emphasizing cultural acceptance and family bonds; and (2013–2015), a Disney Junior series with 52 episodes about a monster family's daily adventures, teaching kindness and imagination. (2021–2023), a Netflix original co-produced with 9 Story Media Group, features 40 episodes centered on an aspiring rapper navigating social issues like self-esteem and discrimination through music and rhyme. Additionally, the studio produced TV specials such as (2020), a 47-minute holiday tale of family reunion broadcast on RTÉ and Netflix, continuing themes of kindness from its predecessor. Lu & The Bally Bunch (2023–present), an Irish preschool series that premiered internationally in 2023 and on Max in the U.S. in 2025, follows a ladybird's social adventures with friends to foster emotional growth through play and music. Recent additions include (2022–present), a Netflix spin-off from Owl House with 26 episodes focusing on a young owlet's nighttime adventures and problem-solving; (2022–present), a PBS Kids series with over 40 episodes about a Guatemalan-American girl's imaginative play and cultural learning; and (2025–present), a Disney Junior action-rescue series premiered January 17, 2025, featuring robotic pet heroes on futuristic missions to promote bravery and teamwork. The studio employs 2D animation techniques using software like for character rigging and walk cycles, alongside Toon Boom Harmony for advanced tweening and cut-out animation, enabling efficient of vibrant, expressive visuals suited to episodic formats. For 3D elements in hybrid series like , tools such as are integrated for modeling and rendering. Brown Bag Films has collaborated extensively with broadcasters and producers, including on Doc McStuffins, Vampirina, and Henry Hugglemonster to deliver medically themed stories for global audiences, and on Octonauts and Bing for educational content reaching millions of young viewers. Thematically, Brown Bag's television output has evolved from high-seas adventure and discovery in Octonauts, which introduces ocean ecosystems to encourage curiosity, to empathy-building narratives in Karma's World, addressing real-world challenges like peer pressure and self-expression through song. This progression reflects a shift toward socially relevant storytelling for diverse preschool demographics. Peter Rabbit, for instance, received multiple for its engaging animation and character development.

Films and shorts

Brown Bag Films has produced a diverse array of animated films and shorts since its founding, emphasizing self-contained narratives that often explore themes of family, morality, and with a blend of humor and poignancy. These works typically feature runtimes under 30 minutes, allowing for tight storytelling that prioritizes emotional depth over extended plots, and they have garnered international acclaim through festival circuits and streaming platforms. Among the studio's early short films, which frequently incorporated hand-drawn techniques, "Give Up Yer Aul Sins" (2001, 5 minutes) stands out as an Academy Award-nominated parody of schoolchildren retelling biblical stories based on 1960s audio recordings, delivering a humorous take on and childhood innocence. Similarly, "Granny O'Grimm's " (2008, 6 minutes), another nominee, presents a dark, twisted reinterpretation of the classic through the eyes of a cantankerous elderly , blending whimsy with elements in a hand-drawn style that premiered at festivals including . These early productions highlight the studio's roots in 2D , drawing from cultural motifs to create morally layered tales. As Brown Bag Films evolved, its shorts transitioned toward CGI techniques while maintaining concise, thematic focus on holiday and ethical narratives. The studio has created over 20 such shorts since 1994, with examples like "Anya" (2014, 5 minutes), a poignant -animated story of a orphan's life to raise awareness for charities, exemplifying storytelling with emotional resonance. Later works, such as the short "23 Degrees 5 Minutes" (2011, 7 minutes), explore themes of perseverance through an explorer's flashback, showcasing technical innovation in environments. In the realm of longer specials and films, "Angela's Christmas" (2017, 30-minute special) adapts Pulitzer Prize-winner Frank McCourt's children's story into a heartwarming holiday tale set in 1910s , focusing on a child's desire to ensure warmth for her family during , animated in a lush style that earned critical praise for its evocative visuals and themes of . This special, along with its "Angela's Christmas Wish" (2020, also a release), underscores the studio's affinity for seasonal moral tales distributed via major streaming services like and . Expanding into hybrid formats, "Blue's Big City Adventure" (2022, 82 minutes, Paramount+ original) combines live-action with animation in a musical adventure following Blue from the series on a quest, marking the studio's venture into feature-length hybrids while preserving playful, educational undertones. Overall, Brown Bag Films' films and shorts demonstrate a progression from hand-drawn intimacy to sophisticated , with festival premieres (e.g., for select titles) and streaming availability amplifying their global reach, often tying into broader moral or holiday themes without extending into serialized formats.

Awards and recognition

Emmy Awards

Brown Bag Films has received numerous and , particularly in the children's categories, contributing significantly to the studio's global reputation for high-quality programming. These accolades, spanning the 2010s and 2020s, highlight the studio's excellence in , , and production design, with total nominations exceeding 20 across various series. On November 19, 2025, the studio earned 11 nominations at the Children's & Family for productions including Eva the Owlet and RoboGobo. The studio's most notable Daytime Emmy success came from its work on , earning a total of six awards between 2014 and 2016, including the Outstanding Special Class Animated Program in 2014. In that year alone, achieved a sweep with three wins—Outstanding Special Class Animated Program, Individual Achievement in Animation for character designer Seamus Walsh, and Individual Achievement in Animation for background artist Jo Murphy—alongside five nominations, marking the highest number of nods for any animated program at the ceremony. Additional wins in 2015 and 2016 recognized the series' direction by David McCamley and writing contributions, underscoring the creative team's innovative adaptation of Beatrix Potter's classic tales into 3D animation. These victories elevated Brown Bag Films' profile, attracting major broadcasters like and establishing the studio as a leader in preschool content. In the , Brown Bag Films secured a win for Octonauts in the Kids: Animation category in 2011, recognizing the series' engaging underwater adventure format developed by creative leads Darragh O'Connell and Marc Seal. The studio also earned an International Emmy for Bing in 2016 in the Kids: category, awarded to producers including for its authentic portrayal of toddler experiences. Separately, Octonauts received a 2018 Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Writing in a Preschool Animated Program. These international honors, combined with over 20 nominations in the and 2020s for shows like Octonauts and , further boosted the studio's international collaborations. A Daytime Emmy nomination for Doc McStuffins: The Doc Is In special in the Outstanding Preschool Children's Animated Series category acknowledged the production team's efforts under executive producers and Cathal Gaffney, emphasizing themes of health and empathy in animation. Overall, these Emmy achievements not only validated Brown Bag Films' technical prowess but also spotlighted the contributions of key creatives, enhancing the studio's standing alongside its two nominations for short films.

Other major awards

Brown Bag Films has received two nominations for the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film. In 2002, the studio earned its first nomination for Give Up Yer Aul Sins, a short directed by Cathal Gaffney that humorously reimagines biblical stories through a schoolgirl's perspective. The second came in 2010 for Granny O'Grimm's Sleeping Beauty, directed by Nicky Phelan and featuring a satirical take on fairy tales from an elderly woman's viewpoint. The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) has also honored the studio's work in children's animation. Octonauts received a for Best Pre-School Animation in 2011, recognizing its educational underwater adventures. Similarly, Doc McStuffins garnered BAFTA nominations in the International category in 2013 and 2014 for its empowering stories about a young doctor's toy clinic. In animation-specific honors, Brown Bag Films has secured nominations at the , highlighting excellence in storytelling and production design across its portfolio. Recent accolades in 2025 underscore the studio's ongoing international impact. At the Irish Animation Awards, Lu & The Bally Bunch won Best Script for a or Special for the episode "Bug Nollig," while the studio also received the Sustainability Champion Award for its environmental initiatives in production. Let's Go, Bananas!, a series emphasizing diverse family dynamics, took home the Kidscreen Award for Best Inclusivity in Preschool Programming. Additionally, Brown Bag Films and parent company amassed nine nominations at the Canadian Screen Awards, including Best Animated Program or Series for and Best Direction in for Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum. Beyond these, Brown Bag Films' productions have gained recognition at prestigious global events like the , where shorts and series have been selected for screenings and competed in various categories, contributing to the studio's tally of numerous awards worldwide as of 2025.