Meet Ray - he only wanted to retire, now he might win an Oscar
By Matt Fox
Published on March 15, 2026.
The animated short, Retirement Plan, starring Domhnall Gleeson and directed by John Kelly, is nominated for Best Animated Short Film at the 98th Academy Awards. The film, which tells the story of a middle-aged Dubliner who lists what he plans to do when he retires, is about to see how easily life can be deferred. The director, Kelly, began drawing comics as a teenager and began working in graphic design before transitioning to animation, completing a master's degree at the Royal College of Art in London. The production took around nine months from green light to delivery, with four months dedicated to animation by Marah Curran and Eamonn O'Neill. Despite initially being influenced by stop‑motion and puppetry, Kelly opted for a stripped‑back visual style that emphasized subtle movements and lighting. The movie received support from Screen Ireland and RTÉ, giving it a sense of authenticity and authenticity.
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