Punky nominated for two IFTA awards

TWO Northsiders who brought to life the idea for the
world’s first ever animation television series featuring a lead character with
Down Syndrome are in the running for two Irish Film and Television Academy
(IFTA) awards this weekend.

Punky, which is currently being aired on RTEjr, is the
brainchild of Sutton-born writer Lindsay Jane Sedgwick and is produced by
Gerard O’Rourke at Dublin 1-based Monster Animation and Design.

The loveable character is voiced by Aimee Richardson,
who herself has Down Syndrome.

The hugely successful animation series has been
nominated under the Children’s/ Youth Programme TV category and the Television
Sound category.

Honoured

Speaking to Northside People ahead of the awards
ceremony, Ms Sedgwick said she was delighted and honoured that the show got the
nod from the Irish Film and Television Academy.

? she
stated.

“It was so difficult to get the series off the ground
and it wouldn’t have happened without Gerard O’Rourke.

“When RTEjr began airing the episodes the broadcaster
had people ringing in congratulating them for the show.

“People from around the world got in touch to say
they’d seen or heard of the series, which made them feel proud to be Irish.

?

Punky, which is aimed at the preschool audience, is
currently being run as a series of 20 seven-minute episodes.

Punky is described as a happy girl who loves music,
dancing, playing with her big brother, Con, and jumping around with her dog,
Rufus. She enjoys helping around the house and trying to make Cranky, her
grandmother, a little less cranky.

The series deals with themes of difference, diversity and
the problem-solving issues specific to people with Down Syndrome.