Damien Byrne is an educator and award-winning producer at the forefront of animation production and education in Ireland. With over two decades of professional experience, Damien has played a key role in shaping the animation landscape at IADT (Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology), where he is a senior lecturer at the National Film School and Programme Chair for Animation. He leads both undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, including the Certificate in Production Management for Animation, and has been instrumental in developing innovative curricula that respond to the evolving needs of the creative industries.

As IADT’s academic lead for the European Film University Alliance (FilmEU), Damien has advanced international collaboration, particularly through his leadership in projects such as the Avenue Erasmus CoVE initiative, focused on expanding the European ecosystem for animation, VR/XR, games, and virtual production. He has actively engaged in showcasing IADT graduate work at renowned festivals including Sundance, Annecy, Melbourne, Zagreb, and Cinanima.

Damien’s industry accomplishments are extensive: he produced the acclaimed short film ‘A Coat Made Dark,’ which received international awards and was nominated for a Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival. His work has been screened at more than 150 prestigious global festivals.

Committed to nurturing the next generation, Damien co-developed the Animation Directors’ Lab, a peer-to-peer skills development initiative featuring hands-on workshops delivered by industry professionals. This initiative exemplifies his collaborative and forward-thinking approach to education and professional development.

Damien Byrne’s career reflects a deep commitment to excellence in animation production, educational innovation, and international partnership. His contributions continue to position IADT’s National Film School as a centre of excellence for animation and creative media in Europe.