🎬The Breadwinner (2017) The Breadwinner is a 2017 animated drama film directed by Nora Twomey, and written by Anita Doron and Deborah Ellis, based on the 2001 novel by Ellis. The film was an international co-production between Canada, the Republic of Ireland and Luxembourg 🇱🇺 The film had its world premiere at the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival on 8 September 2017 and received a limited release on 17 November. It received positive reviews from critics and received a nomination for Best Animated Feature at the 90th Academy Awards Nora Twomey (born 31 October 1971) is an Irish animator, director, screenwriter, producer and voice actress. She is best known as the co-founder of Cartoon Saloon, alongside Tomm Moore and Paul Young, an animation studio and production company, based in Kilkenny City, Ireland. She is best known for co-directing The Secret of Kells and directing The Breadwinner. Her work on both films earned Academy Award nominations for Best Animated Feature.