New stop-motion Manx folklore film

A beautiful new stop-motion film has been released online to tell a traditional story of how an old man dealt with the fairies in the north of the Island.

The short film by Lily-Joy Lancashire has been released online by Culture Vannin, following its inclusion in the new exhibition in the Manx Museum.

James Franklin, Online & Educational Resources Officer at Culture Vannin, says:

“The playful joy and wonder in this film fits the folktale perfectly. Lily-Joy has created a visual world which will stay with the viewer long after the closing credits, truly bringing the traditional tale, and the world it occupies, to life.”

The story follows an old man in Ballacaine, Jurby, who is kept awake at night by the sounds of ‘cronk, cronk’ as the lil’ fellas tune their fiddles. Despite his tired old bones, he decides to get out of bed to dance with Themselves, with happy results.

Lily-Joy Lancashire, who recently graduated with a first-class honours degree in Animation from Edge Hill University, says:

“I’ve always been interested in learning about other cultures, and when I moved to the Isle of Man a year or so ago, I wanted to know more about the Island. The Island itself is beautiful, but the people, too, are lovely, and have made me feel very welcome. I wondered how I could use my skills to create something that would contribute to, and preserve the culture and folklore of the Island, in a way that would be easy to access and also bring a smile to people’s faces. I’m very grateful to the help I received from Culture Vannin, and to all the other people who have helped me create this piece. I hope people enjoy it as much as I did making it!”

The film, entitled ‘Yn Shenn Dooinney as ny Ferrishyn’ (The Old Man and the Fairies), was created through Culture Vannin’s Treisht26 projects, brought about to celebrate Blein ny Gaelgey – the Year of the Manx Language 2026. It is entirely told in Manx, with optional English subtitles, voiced perfectly by the well-known Manx teacher and broadcaster, Jamys Harrison.

The film also features an original orchestral composition by Matteo Ressa, who composed the music especially for the film using elements from well-known traditional Manx music. Entitled ‘Cloie, Gheiney Veggey!’ this piece will be of interest to anyone engaged with the Island’s traditional music.

The story was translated into Manx by Jamys Harrison, from the traditional tale collected in the 1880s and first published (in English) in the journal, Yn Lioar Manninagh.

The film was selected to form a part of the new ‘Mind your Language’ exhibition at the Manx Museum in Douglas, which enables visitors to explore, learn and enjoy the Manx language and contemporary culture, and its roots. The film sits perfectly in this setting, making a meaningful contribution to the continued story of Manx language and culture.

Lily-Joy says:

“Stop motion storytelling offers a unique way to convey a narrative that AI or CGI simply cannot replicate. The depth and honesty it brings make watching a film like this more genuine and engaging experience. Handmade puppets, add a sense of realness and authenticity that helps to suspend disbelief and hold attention in a more lasting and powerful way, drawing you further and deeper into the story.”

Conversations are already taking place about a French subtitled version for showing in festivals on the Continent, and Culture Vannin is confident that this film will make an impact on the Island and beyond.

Hon Chris Thomas MHK, Caairliagh of Culture Vannin, says:

“A part of what Culture Vannin does is to help people understand the treasures of Manx culture and identity, empowering everyone to feel connected to a sense of place, whatever our backgrounds or stories. This film is perfect for this and we are so pleased to have been able to offer a Treisht26 micro-grant to inspire Lily-Joy to create something wonderful.”

‘Yn Shenn Dooinney as ny Ferrishyn’ is available (with optional English subtitles) on the Culture Vannin website and YouTube page, as a part of the charity’s offering of over 1,700 films exploring and celebrating the culture, history, language, folklore, music and more of the Island and its people.