The producer of the Irish animated film that has been nominated for an Academy Award has spoken to Newstalk about his surprise at the nomination. 

Paul Young, of the Cartoon Saloon studio in Kilkenny, was speaking to Seán Moncrieff immediately after hearing that Song of the Sea had been shortlisted for the 'Best Animated Feature' award. 

"We've been getting wonderful messages all morning from people wishing us good luck," Mr Young said, "But I've spent most of my time telling people not hold their breath."

Mr Young said that he was delighted with the nomination, especially considering the Japanese Studio Ghibli film, The Tale of Princess Kaguya, had also received a nod. 

"We always thought it was going to be a toss up between us and them, as we're the two 2D animations."

Now Song of the Sea will battle it out with its Japanese rival, as well as Big Hero 6, The Boxtrolls and How to Train your Dragon 2, which claimed the animated feature award at last weekend's Golden Globes awards show. 

Speaking of the production crew's excitement, Mr Young added that the film's director, Tomm Moore, had been too nervous to watch the nominations, abandoning the studio to take a walk by the river. 

"And Tomm couldn't even take it, he's not even here," Mr Young said, "He went out for a walk. We can't find him. He sent me a picture of himself down by the river in the park here in Kilkenny. He's on his way back now delighted, but he couldn't take it, he left."

You can hear the interview with Paul Young below: