John Kelly

Biography

John Kelly is an Irish filmmaker and animator best known for directing the animated short film Retirement Plan. The film follows a middle-aged man dreaming about all he plans to do once he finally retires and has won major awards on the festival circuit, including the Grand Jury Award and Audience Award at SXSW. It has been recognized internationally and is shortlisted for major animated short honors. Kelly co-wrote the project and shaped its thoughtful yet humorous take on time, ambition, and life’s ticking clock. He trained in animation and studied at the Royal College of Art in London before building his career in visual storytelling. Based in Dublin, he blends artistic simplicity with emotional depth in his work, using minimalistic animation to explore universal themes with heart and insight. Kelly is also working on longer narrative projects, expanding his creative voice beyond short form.

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