CIACLA Presents: The Irish Film Festival Los Angeles 2024
A Celebration of Irish Cinematic Film
March 16th & 17th 2024, CIACLA Los Angeles proudly hosted its fifth annual Irish Film Festival, coinciding with the international day of Irish celebration, St. Patrick's Day weekend, the festival showcased the best of contemporary Irish cinema and also serves as a centerpiece for celebrating Irish culture in Los Angeles.
Download the #IFFLA24 Program Here
Scroll down to bottom to see pictures of the Festival!
FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
Click on a film to learn more & Scroll Down for Photos of the Festival!
March 16th:
| 10am | New Voices {shorts} |
| 10:30am | The Auteurs - incl. The Disembodied Adventures of Alice @10:45am [Screen 2] |
| 11:40am | TARRAC {Irish Language Film} |
| 1.30-3pm | Creative Network including Light Lunch with Women in Film & TV Panel Discussion at 2pm |
| 3pm | The Futures {shorts} |
| 4.30pm | ONE NIGHT IN MILLSTREET |
| 6-8pm | Ticket Holders Reception |
March 17th:
| 10am | The Contemporaries {shorts} |
| 10am | The Docs - incl. In the Shadow of Beirut @10:45am [Screen 2] |
| 11:30am | VERDIGRIS |
| 1:15-2.30pm | Creative Network including Light Lunch with The Irish in LA Panel Discussion at 1:45pm |
| 2:30pm | DOUBLE BLIND |
| 4:30pm | APOCALYPSE CLOWN |
| 6-8pm | Ticket Holders Reception |
| March 22nd | MUCH A DO ABOUT DYING |
The Irish Film Festival los angeles 2024
This two-day festival, held at Laemmle Monica Film Center, was an immersive journey into Ireland's rich storytelling tradition, featuring an impressive lineup of 8 feature films—including critically acclaimed titles and innovative works by emerging talent. The festival shines a spotlight on the range of voices in the industry including award winning documentaries, authored experimental film and an Irish language feature film.
Additionally 3 curated short film screenings that present 23 short films by exciting Irish filmmakers, highlighting 9 female directors and 11 female writers, 2 Irish language shorts, enchanting animation shorts, 2 experimental shorts and a selection of short documentaries.
Beyond the screenings, the Irish Film Festival Los Angeles 2024 was an exciting time to bring together a community of film enthusiasts and industry professionals and the wider public through engaging Q&As with filmmakers, insightful panel discussions, and networking events, particularly spotlighting Irish talent in Los Angeles and Women in Film & TV. Each day the festival ends with an after-evening social event for ticket holders, providing ample opportunities for connection and celebration.
Festival Director Matthew Nevin says “From riveting dramas and laugh-out-loud comedies to experimental films and whimsical animations, The Irish Film Festival Los Angeles is a testament to the creativity, passion, and vision of Ireland's filmmakers, inviting audiences to explore new stories and celebrate the art of cinema. With Irish film continuously making waves on the international scene, we are both proud and excited to amplify these voices, championing new stories and the artists behind them. Join us for a memorable exploration of Irish cinema!”
We welcomed Special Guests: Irish Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media Thomas Byrne, Consul General Of Ireland Marcella Smyth, Screen Ireland's Steven Davenport.
Filmmakers/Actors/Special Guests Attending The Festival Include
March 16th: New Voices: Tom Jorgensen, Aoife Corry, Ella Marie Carmen | The Disembodied Adventures Of Alice: Clea Van Der Grijn Ciaran Carty, Senna O Hara, Hilary Bowen Walsh | Women In Film & Tv Panel: Kirsten Sheridan, Patricia Kelly, Cléa Van Der Grijn, Cassidy Harrison | Tarrac: Kate Finegan | The Futures: Gavin Kelly, Cassidy C Harrison, Eric Fernandez | One Night In Millstreet: Morgan Bushe
March 17th: Irish Contemporaries: Johnny O'Callagahn, Jenn McGuirk, Arron Cobbs, Rian Sheehy Kelly, Matthew Nevin | Verdigris: Patricia Kelly | Irish In Los Angeles Panel: Alan Smyth , Sonya Macari, Kevin Ryan & Johnny O'Callaghan | Apocalypse Clown: George Kane , James Dean, Shane O'brien, Natalie Palamides, Polyanna Mcintosh, Morgan Bushe
Location: Laemmle Monica Film Center, 1332 2nd St, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Kindly Supported by Government of Ireland Emigrant Support Programme, Screen Ireland, ELMA, TG4, MART Gallery & Studios, LA County Arts & Culture & Creative Recovery LA, The Irish Film Institute’s IFI International programme in connection with Culture Ireland and Arts Council Ireland.
THE IRISH FILM FESTIVAL LOS ANGELES PROGRAM 2024
FEATURE FILMS
March 16th: TARRAC | THE DISEMBODIED ADVENTURES OF ALICE | ONE NIGHT IN MILLSTREET
March 17th: IN THE SHADOW OF BEIRUT I DOUBLE BLIND | APOCALYPSE CLOWN | VERDIGRIS | MUCH A DO ABOUT DYING
A Q&A session will follow a selection of screenings with Cast/Crew from the Films.
THE DISEMBODIED ADVENTURES OF ALICE
Q&A will feature Writer/Director: Clea van der Grijn, Cinematographer: Ciaran Carty | Actors: Senna O Hara & Hilary Bowen Walsh
| Screening Time | March 16th at 10.45am – Tickets Here – Note this will screen after 2 short films that start at 10.30am in Screen 2 |
| Summary | A dark adult fairytale. |
| Runtime: | 78 Minutes |
| Cast/Crew | Filmaker: Cléa van der Grijn Crew: Ciaran Carty Featuring: Hilary Bowen-Walsh, Senna O Hara, Brian F. Devany, Nóra Fay |
| Previous Screenings: | Premier at New Jersey film festival 2nd Feb 2024 |
TARRAC
Note this film features both English / Irish Language spoken {with subtitles in English}
Q&A will feature actress Kate Finegan.
| Screening Time | March 16th at 11.40am – Tickets Here |
| Summary | Tarrac is a life-affirming story set in the stunning West Coast of Ireland in Kerry Gaeltacht. |
| Runtime: | 96 Minutes |
| Cast: | Kelly Gough, Lorcan Cranitch, Kate Nic Chonaonaigh, Kate Finegan. |
| Crew: |
Director Declan Recks, Writer: Eugene O’Brien, Producer: Clíona Ní Bhuachalla. |
| Previous Screenings: | 2023 Nominated Best Actress in a Lead Role (Kelly Gough) at the Irish Film and Television Awards. 2022 Winner, Best Cinematography in an Irish Feature, Galway Film Fleadh |
Declan Recks: Declan has directed some of the top rated shows on Irish Television including the critically acclaimed “Pure Mule” (RTE) winner of 5 IFTA’s including Best Director; Best Drama IFTA winner “The Running Mate” (TG4), and “Scúp” (TG4/BBC) Nominated best Irish Language IFTA. The Irish Times wrote “Pure Mule” had “spectacularly raised the bar for Irish television drama” while “The Running Mate” was described as “Truly marvelous…A political drama with balls”. His debut feature film, “Eden”, was the closing film at the 2008 Jameson Dublin International Film Festival and premiered in competition at the Tribeca Film Festival winning Eileen Walsh the Best Actress Award for her role. The New York Times described it as”Exquisitely tuned to the terrors of approaching middle age” and was a New York Times “critics pick”. His film “The Truth Commisioner” (2016) was nominated for Best Drama at the 2016 Celtic Media Awards. The Observer (UK) called it “Resonant, electric drama”. His film “The Flag” was released in cinemas in 2016 and was the number one film screened on Irish TV on Christmas Day of that year, capturing a third of all viewers. Recent TV credits include episodes of “Death in Paradise” and “Nova Jones” for BBC Studios and “Red Election” (Mopar Studios/A+E) now available on Disney+. His latest Feature Film “Tarrac” premiered at the Galway Film Fleadh in 2022.
One Night in Millstreet
Q&A will feature Producer Morgan Bushe!
| Screening Time | March 16th at 4.30pm – Tickets Here |
| Summary | A prizefight between underdog Steve “The Celtic Warrior” Collins and champion Chris “Simply the Best” Eubank grips and encapsulates an entire nation as it emerges from depression towards previously unimagined prosperity. |
| Runtime: | 80 Minutes |
| Cast: | Steve Collins, Chris Eubank, Barry Hearn and Tony Quinn. |
| Crew: |
Andrew Gallimore – Writer Director, Morgan Bushe – Producer, Peter Murnaghan – Producer, Lydia Monin – Writer, |
| Previous Screenings: | Audience Award – Cork International Film Festival, Best Doc Award – London Irish Film Festival |
In The Shadow of Beirut
| Screening Time | March 17th at 10.45am – Tickets Here – Note this will screen after 3 short docs that start at 10am in Screen 2 |
| Summary | From the makers of GAZA (Sundance 2019), comes a new cinematic odyssey that penetrates deep below the surface of Beirut, a still beautiful, yet deeply troubled city on the brink of financial collapse. In the Shadow of Beirut weaves four compelling storylines together in a searing portrait of a people and a city struggling to survive amidst some of the most difficult living conditions imaginable. In this failing state, it is the vulnerable who suffer most. Through intimate, character driven and cinematic storytelling, the stark reality of life for the protagonists of the film is symbolic of the hundreds of thousands of others who fight for survival in the most diverse country in the Middle East. |
| Runtime: | 93 Minutes |
| Crew: |
Directors: Garry Keane and Stephen Gerard Kelly Producers: Brendan J. Byrne, Myriam Sassine |
| Previous Screenings: |
Screening at Galway Film Fleadh, the British and Irish Film Festival of Luxembourg, DocsIreland, Newport Beach Film Festival, Portuguese Surf Film Festival, Kerry International Film Festival, Other Venice Film Festival, San Diego Surf Film Festival, Inheritance Film Festival and Bilboa Surf Film Festival. Won: Best Director at Vesuvius Film Festival |
Garry Keane is an accomplished filmmaker, having directed over 100 hours of documentary footage in over 20 countries worldwide. His documentaries have been nominated numerous awards, including 20 Irish Film & Television Awards; winning 9, including ‘Best Director’ in 2013 and 2018. Garry’s feature documentary GAZA (2019) made its world premiere at Sundance Film Festival and was Ireland’s entry to the 2020 Oscars in the ‘Best International Feature’ category.
Director and cinematographer Stephen Gerard Kelly is Dublin-raised, internationally present, and socially conscious filmmaker. He spent six years living in and filming issues facing vulnerable communities in Beirut, particularly in Sabra and Shatila, for the feature documentary In The Shadow of Beirut. This was his directorial debut and was selected as Ireland’s entry for ‘Best International Feature’ at the 2024 Oscars, as well long-listed for the Best Documentary Feature.
VERDIGRIS
Q&A will feature Writer/Director Patricia Kelly!
| Screening Time | March 17th at 11.30am – Tickets Here |
| Summary | A retired, middle-class census taker’s world turns upside down when an unlikely friendship with a teen sex worker teaches her to live life on her own terms, no matter the cost. |
| Runtime: | 94 Minutes |
| Cast: | GERALDINE MCALINDEN and MAYA O’SHEA |
| Crew: |
Writer/Director: PATRICIA KELLY Producer: PAUL FITZSIMONS |
| Previous Screenings: | *Best Feature Film* Irish Film Festival London; *Best Irish Film* Newport Beach Film Festival; *Best Narrative Feature Film* Kerry International Film Festival; *Best Independent Film* Galway Film Fleadh |
www.mnamnafilms.com – MnáMná Films is a new Irish production company passionate about telling stories not often told and highlighting voices rarely heard on film and television; www.preludecontent.com – PRELUDE CONTENT was set up in 2021 to create top-tier film and TV Drama content to entertain, entice and excite audiences in Ireland and around the world.
DOUBLE BLIND
| Screening Time | March 17th at 2.30pm – Tickets Here |
| Summary | After an experimental drug trial goes awry, the test subjects face a terrifying side effect: if you fall asleep you die. Trapped in an isolated facility, panic ensues as they try to escape and somehow stay awake. |
| Runtime: | 90 Minutes |
| Cast: | Millie Brady, Pollyanna McIntosh |
| Crew: |
Director Ian Hunt-Duffy, Writer Darach McGarrigle |
Ian Hunt-Duffy is an award-winning filmmaker from Ireland. His first love is genre cinema, and he strives to make movies that will grip an audience and keep them guessing. Ian’s IFTA Nominated and Oscar longlisted short film ‘Gridlock’ has won 60 awards at over 150 film festivals worldwide, including Best Director at the Savannah International Film Festival, Best International Short Film at DC Shorts, and a Young Director Award (YDA) in Cannes. In 2018, Ian took part in the prestigious Berlinale Talents in Germany as a director, before winning the Discovery Award in 2019 at the Dublin International Film Festival. In 2022, Ian directed his debut feature film ‘Double Blind’, a horror/thriller funded by Screen Ireland and Epic Pictures.
Apocalypse Clown
Q&A after the film will feature George Kane (writer/director), James Dean (producer), Shane O’Brien (writer & James Joyce), Natalie Palamides (Funzo), Polyanna McIntosh (Matriarch) and Producer Morgan Bushe
| Screening Time | March 17th at 4.30pm |
| Summary | A troupe of failed clowns and an intrepid reporter embark on a chaotic road trip of self-discovery after a mysterious solar event plunges the world into anarchy. |
| Runtime: | 102 Minutes |
| Cast: | David Earl, Natalie Palamides, Amy De Bhrún, Ivan Kaye, Fionn Foley, |
| Crew: |
CoWriter / Director: George Kane Producers: Morgan Bushe, James Dean Writers: Shane O’Brien, James Walmsley, Demain Fox |
| Previous Screenings: | Best Irish Film – Galway Film Fleadh |
Much Ado About Dying
| Screening | This film is screening from March 22nd at Laemmle Monica Film Center – Tickets Here |
| Summary | “Dying is like going on a wonderful holiday without the bother of packing” says exuberant gay Uncle David when he forces nephew Simon back to London to care for him. |
| Runtime: | 84 Minutes |
| Cast: |
Director/Cinemtographer/Editor: Simon Chambers Producer: David Rane, Editor: Claire Ferguson |
| Previous Screenings: | IDFA, CPH-Dox, Krakow, HotDocs, Sheffield DocFest,Tallinn Black Nights, Santa Barbara International Film Festival |
March 16th: 10am | New Voices | {90 mins}
Short Films Screening: Two For The Road | Portaloo | Mud Queen | Homestead |Sound & Colour | The Stairs
A Q&A session will follow the screening with a selection of Cast/Crew including Ella Maria Carmen {Portaloo} | Tom Jorgensen & Aoife Corry {Homestead}
Two For The Road
| Screening Time | March 16th at 10am – as part of New Voices Short Films Screening |
| Summary | Amidst spontaneous travels around 1990s Ireland, Oscar, a young boy, finds himself navigating the true essence of adventure and chaos with his father, one spirited weekend away at a time. |
| Runtime: | 18 Minutes |
| CAST/CREW: | |
| Cast: | Steve Wall, Ewan Morris |
| Crew |
Writer/Director – Lochlainn McKenna Producers: Natalie Britton & Gráinne Dwyer DP: Eoin McLoughlin |
| Previous Screenings: |
Best Short Film – Galway Film Fleadh Best Cinematography – Galway Film Fleadh Best of Kerry – Kerry Film Festival Best in Cork – Cork Film Festival Best Short Film (Audience Award) – Newport Beach Film Festival Upcoming: Dublin Film Festival & Garden State Film Festival |
Lochlainn McKenna is a director and writer from Cork City, Ireland. He is currently living and working out of London. McKenna works predominantly in advertising and has directed TV ads for brands such as Specsavers, Tesco, Guinness and Sky amongst many others. He has shot in several countries across the world including Ethiopia and Ukraine and has directed commercials for the US, UK and Irish markets. He’s also directed music videos for the likes of Westlife and Keane and his music video work for Daithí was nominated for a UKMVA as well as winning him the ‘Best New Director’ Award at the prestigious Kinsale Shark Awards. Narratively, he’s directed 3 short films. The last of which was a one shot break-up film called Boxed Up – told from the perspective of a box as it traded hands between a couple as they parted ways for the final time. In 2020 McKenna wrote a short story entitled Guinness & Coke which was nominated for the RTÉ Francis McManus Short Story competition. He has since made it into a film. The now entitled, Two For The Road, is his 3rd short film and is based on his own tumultuous weekends as a child with his alcoholic, vagabond father. He’s currently working on developing that story into a book and, furthermore, a feature film. www.locky.film
Heritage
The Heritage team is supported by a collective of up to 20 creative professionals in Ireland & internationally made up of art directors, directors, producers, cinematographers, copywriters, editors, illustrators and many others. As well as production services we have developed a number of creative campaigns for brands including Animation, OOH Creative, Radio Adverts, Art Direction, Creative Strategy, Campaign Management, Motion Graphics, VFX, Post Production Services & Management.
Portaloo
| Screening Time | March 16th at 10am – as part of New Voices Short Films Screening |
| Summary | In the queue for portaloos at a music festival, two young women discover that the electric feelings between them could be more than just friendship. |
| Runtime: | 9 Minutes |
| CAST/CREW: | |
| Cast: | Ella Maria Carmen, Cara Bradley, Lisa Frisby |
| Crew |
Director – Michael David McKernan Writer – Ella Maria Carmen Producer – Norma Howard Cinematographer – Jass Foley |
| Previous Screenings: |
Gaze Film Festival – Dublin Kerry International Film Festival – Kerry |
Director – Michael-David McKernan is an award-winning filmmaker from Ireland, previously long-listed for an Oscar and a nominee for a Young Directors Award at Cannes Lions. This year he will direct Cat & Mouse, a short film supported by Screen Ireland’s flagship Focus Shorts Scheme. His short documentary, How to Fall in Love in a Pandemic, screened at Tribeca Film Festival and qualified for the Academy Awards after winning Best Short Documentary at Galway Film Fleadh, as well as 8 other international festival awards. He made his filmmaking debut with HALO, a single-shot narrative short which won Best Director: Irish Short at Cork International Film Festival and has amassed 300,000 views on Omeleto. He is a winner of an Emerging Directors Award in Ireland. Further directing credits include Foxglove, and the music video for Sunset by Daithí.
Mud Queen
| Screening Time | March 16th at 10am – as part of New Voices Short Films Screening |
| Summary | Ryan is determined to celebrate his 12th birthday with glamour and style. But will Mam’s erratic behaviour derail the night? |
| Runtime: | 18 Minutes |
| CAST/CREW: | |
| Cast: | Clare Dunne: ”Sue”, Senan Jennings: “Ryan”, Emmy Nolan: ”Katie”, Helen Behan: ”Aunt Helen”, |
| Crew |
Nathan Fagan: Director, Luke Daly:Director, Nathan Fagan: Writer, Séamus Waters: Producer, Miguel Angel Vinas: Director of Photography, Nathan Nugent: Editor, Gareth Averill: Composer |
| Previous Screenings: |
Gaze Film Festival – Dublin Kerry International Film Festival – Kerry |
Luke Daly and Nathan Fagan are award-winning, IFTA-nominated directors. Working across documentary, drama and cinema that falls somewhere between the two, their work is grounded in a passion for telling the stories of overlooked or underrepresented characters – through visually-arresting and immersive filmmaking. Their 2020 short drama, Flicker, won the prestigious Grand Prix Award at the Cork International Film Festival, placing it on the longlist for the Oscars. It was subsequently nominated for Best Short Film at the 2021 Irish Film & Television Awards. Their 2021 experimental doc-fiction hybrid, Skin to Skin, premiered on Nowness. It subsequently won the award for Best Short Film at the Emerging Director Awards, in Ireland. It was also nominated for a Young Director’s Award (YDA) at Cannes. Over the years, they’ve directed music videos for: Walking on Cars, Kitt Phillipa, JyellowL, Gavin James and Fangclub. Their work has featured on: Nowness, Director’s Library, The Irish Times, the Irish Independent, Hot Press, Clash Magazine, District Magazine, and many, many more publications. Their films have screened at film festivals all over the world. Website: lunadirectorduo.com
Homestead
| Screening Time | March 16th at 10am – as part of New Voices Short Films Screening |
| Summary | A young professional inherits a picturesque Irish cottage from her grandfather and finds herself resisting powerful urges to stay there forever. |
| Runtime: | 9 Minutes |
| CAST/CREW: | |
| Cast: | Aoife Corry, James Cecil Raleigh, Martin Corry, Bren Holmes |
| Crew | Writer/Director: Tom Jorgensen Producer: Aoife Corry Editor: Kevin Cappiello Music by: Dónal Rafferty
|
Luke Daly and Nathan Fagan are award-winning, IFTA-nominated directors. Working across documentary, drama and cinema that falls somewhere between the two, their work is grounded in a passion for telling the stories of overlooked or underrepresented characters – through visually-arresting and immersive filmmaking. Their 2020 short drama, Flicker, won the prestigious Grand Prix Award at the Cork International Film Festival, placing it on the longlist for the Oscars. It was subsequently nominated for Best Short Film at the 2021 Irish Film & Television Awards. Their 2021 experimental doc-fiction hybrid, Skin to Skin, premiered on Nowness. It subsequently won the award for Best Short Film at the Emerging Director Awards, in Ireland. It was also nominated for a Young Director’s Award (YDA) at Cannes. Over the years, they’ve directed music videos for: Walking on Cars, Kitt Phillipa, JyellowL, Gavin James and Fangclub. Their work has featured on: Nowness, Director’s Library, The Irish Times, the Irish Independent, Hot Press, Clash Magazine, District Magazine, and many, many more publications. Their films have screened at film festivals all over the world. Website: lunadirectorduo.com
Sound & Colour
| Screening Time | March 16th at 10am – as part of New Voices Short Films Screening |
| Summary | Having returned home after her attempted suicide, Hannah must face her dysfunctional and emotionally repressed Irish family. Believing that her relationship ending is the root cause of her depression, the family avoids talking about the “incident” at all costs. |
| Runtime: | 15 Minutes |
| CAST/CREW: | |
| Cast: | Alison Oliver |
| Crew |
Emma Foley – Director Emma Foley – Writer Tamryn Reinecke – Producer Colm Hogan – Cinematography Allyn Quigley – Editor Norma Howard – Associate Producer |
| Previous Screenings: | Galway Film Fleadh, BFI London Film Festival, Boyne Valley Film Festival – Winner best Irish narrative short film, Belfast Film Festival – Winner best Irish narrative short film, SXSW Film and TV festival (screening between 8th and 13th March 2024). |
Emma is an accomplished filmmaker, writing, directing, and producing award-winning films. Her debut short, ‘Brother’, premiered at Fastnet FF. Her second short, ‘Sound & Colour’, stars Alison Oliver (Conversations with Friends). Emma co-founded Pale Rebel Productions, where she produced the dark comedy feature ‘Redemption of a Rogue’ (Palm Springs, Glasgow, Best Film at Galway FF). Pale Rebel’s second feature, ‘It Is In Us All’, (SXSW and IFTA awarded) starred Cosmo Jarvis & Claes Bang.
The Stairs
| Screening Time | March 16th at 10am – as part of New Voices Short Films Screening |
| Summary | Rose, a child of Irish and Italian immigrants in 1968 Brooklyn, attempts to fit in with the boys by joining the game her brother plays with his friend. Their tenement building super and local Deacon starts preying on Rose, until Mrs. Teruli, an old-world Italian healer breaks his hold. |
| Runtime: | 15 Minutes |
| CAST/CREW: | |
| Cast: |
Briella Guiza – Rose, Guy Nardulli – Mario, Jayne Taini – Mrs. Teruli, Natalia Abelleyra – Mary, |
| Crew |
Jessica Aquila Cymerman – Writer/Director, Kate Hamilton & Natalie Britton – Producers, Allie Shultz – DP, Jack Lawrence Mayer – Editor, Adrian Wittenberg – Production Designer, Rob Gokee – Music Composition, Alex Reeves – Sound Mixing/Editing, Karen Hantman – AD, Nicole Jolly – Script Supervisor |
| Previous Screenings: | Dances with Films, Albuquerque Film and Music Experience, SOHO International Film Festival, Rome International Film Festival, Evolution Mallorca International Film Festival, Best Female Director at Stockholm Short Festival |
Jessica is a film and theatre director, producer and writer from Los Angeles. She splits her time between California, Ireland and Canada.
Film credits include the shorts WHEN DO WE BEGIN?, ONE MORE LINE, THE STAIRS, KING KILLER, THE MAD ONES, and THE DEN. THE DEN (2022) finished an extended festival run (Winner “Best Director” Vesuvius Int’l film festival; Official selection: Seattle Film Festival, Austin FF, Sarasota FF, Tall Grass FF, Albuquerque FF, and many more). THE STAIRS is beginning its festival circuit (Winner “Best Female Director” Stockholm Short Festival; Official selection Dances with Films LA, SOHO International FF, Albuquerque FF, Mallorca Evolution FF, and was a Jury Award nominee for Best Narrative Short at the Rome International FF, so far. In 2017 she co-founded the Theatre company, Untold Wants in Dublin (now world-traveling), where she continues to direct and produce contemporary theatre. Theatre directing credits include Julie: After Strindberg (North American premiere), The Pillowman, Gruesome Playground Injuries, Cock, The Human Ear (North American premiere), Reasons to be Pretty (all for Untold Wants Theatre, co-artistic director); The Gift, Strange Relations (staged readings, IAMA Theatre, LA), Ted and the Right to Die (RCS, Glasgow); Il Cambiale di Matrimonio (Raucous Rossini, Glasgow); The Seagull: A Musical Adaptation (co-writer, Original Production, RCS); Urinetown The Musical; Reefer Madness! The Musical and The Goat, or Who is Sylvia? (Sarah Lawrence). She holds a BA from Sarah Lawrence College, and an MA in Directing from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow, with training from Shakespeare’s Globe, UK. jessicaaquilacymerman.com
March 16th: 10:30am | The Auteurs | {90 mins} {Screen 2}
Short Films Screening: Venus Rising | The Fine Line | {10 Mins}
Feature Film Screening: The Disembodied Adventures of Alice {80 Mins}
A Q&A session will follow the screening featuring Clea van der Grijn Writer/Director | Ciaran Carty Cinematographer | Senna O Hara Actor
Venus Rising
| Screening Time | March 16th at 10.30am – as part of The Auteurs |
| Summary | Venus Rising is a video and sound work exploring the dismantling of patriarchal systems and a call back to Earth centered feminine wisdom. |
| Runtime: | 8 Minutes |
| Filmmaker: | Colleen Keough is an Integrated Media Artist working across multiple disciplines and genres of expression. Her work explores poetic-feminisms and phenomena associated with identity, technology, voice, mythos, and the natural world. These investigations take shape as multimedia performances, visual art, animations, video projections and installations, sonic art, and digital art works. |
| Previous Screenings: | Light Matter Harland Snodgrass Gallery, Alfred University, Alfred, NY 48th Athens International Film & Video Festival Official Selection, Athens, OH 59th Ann Arbor Film Festival, Official Selection, Ann Arbor, MI New York City Independent Film Festival, Official Selection NY, NY. FROSTBITE International Independent Online Film Festival |
The Fine Line
| Screening Time | March 16th at 10.30am – as part of The Auteurs |
| Summary | Shifting perspectives and vantage points and a concrete understanding of our shared proximities |
| Runtime: | 4 Minutes |
| Cast/Crew |
Performing Artist – Mary Sullivan, Videographer Mickael Do Couto, Assistant Crew – Chris Cleminson and Laura Luppino |
| Filmmaker |
Mary Sullivan is a visual and performance artist based on Bere Island, Co. Cork, Ireland. Her work draws inspiration from Bere Island’s picturesque surroundings and its rich military history. She also draws inspiration from the people that inhabit the island and domestic life. Working through the medium of sculpture, photography, videography, and performance, Sullivan’s work often uncovers aspects of life that often appear unstudied by the media.
|
| Previous Screenings: | BFF Film Festival, Castletownbere, Beara, Co Cork, Ireland 2023 Uillinn, West Cork Arts Centre, Skibbereen, Co Cork,Ireland 2023 |
THE DISEMBODIED ADVENTURES OF ALICE
Q&A will feature Writer/Director: Clea van der Grijn, Cinematographer: Ciaran Carty | Actors: Senna O Hara & Hilary Bowen Walsh
| Screening Time | March 16th at 10.45am – Tickets Here – Note this will screen after 2 short films that start at 10.30am in Screen 2 |
| Summary | A dark adult fairytale. |
| Runtime: | 78 Minutes |
| Cast/Crew |
Filmaker: Cléa van der Grijn Crew: Ciaran Carty Featuring: Hilary Bowen-Walsh, Senna O Hara, Brian F. Devany, Nóra Fay |
| Previous Screenings: | Premier at New Jersey film festival 2nd Feb 2024 |
CléaPRODUCTIONS is an artist-led multimoda, multi-faceted film production company which has successfully undertaken and managed four large-scale, multi-disciplinary film projects to date. Expertise lies in meticulous planning, coordination, and management, encompassing various aspects such as scriptwriting, casting, directing, editing, finances, and marketing. Through exponential growth and success, we continually push boundaries to create artistically challenging films and immersive experiences that captivate audiences. At, CléaPRODUCTIONS no detail is overlooked. From meticulously crafting props, sets and costumes to designing music and sound, every element contributes to cinematic vision. Cléa’s dedicated team, consisting of trusted creative professionals, collaborates seamlessly, fostering a unique working environment that transcends language barriers.
The core philosophy at CléaPRODUCTIONS is to deliver exceptional quality in concept and execution. With a proven track record of project development, films, audio, light design, publications, and large-scale international touring exhibitions. Notable projects include “Reconstructing Memory” (2015), “JUMP” (2019), “FLUX,” and the production of the feature film “The disembodied adventures of Alice.” (2023). Nóra in Wonderland (2025); Financed with the prestigious Authored Works, Arts Council of Ireland, partnering with the IFI. (Irish Film Institute )
CléaPRODUCTIONS is Consistently achieving high production values within allocated time frames and budgets. Cléa prides herself on fair payment practices for all creatives, cast, and crew, despite working with limited budgets. She prioritises transparency and excellent working conditions, fostering a fair and collaborative environment. One of the cornerstones of CléaPRODUCTIONS is the commitment to gathering practical advice from our creatives during pre-production. This collaborative approach informs a creative, secure and structured working environment, all necessary elements for a successful shoot.
March 16th: 1:30-3pm Creative Network including Light Lunch
with Women in Film & TV Panel Discussion at 2pm
Led by Kirsten Sheridan - A 30 minute panel discussion featuring 3 Writer/Directors
Patricia Kelly | Verdigris
Cléa van der Grijn | The Disembodied Adventures of Alice
Cassidy Harrison | The Life of Lester Wink
A snack / light lunch will be provided for guests attending this panel discussion.
Discover the voices shaping the future of storytelling at our "Women in Film & TV" panel, focusing on trailblazing female writers in the industry. This session will spotlight the experiences, achievements, and creative processes of women writers who are breaking barriers and crafting compelling narratives in film and television. It's a unique chance to hear from the minds behind the scripts, offering insights into their journeys, the challenges of navigating a traditionally male-dominated industry, and the triumphs of bringing diverse stories to life. Join us for an inspiring dialogue that celebrates and elevates women's contributions to the cinematic arts.
March 16th: 3pm | The Futures | {70 mins}
Short Films Screening: The Life of Lester Wink | The Search | Far Away | Worry World | Ó Lá Go Lá (From Day to Day) | Cantata
A Q&A session will follow the screening with a selection of Cast/Crew from the Films including Cassidy C. Harrison {The LIfe of Lester Wink} and Eric Fernandez {Far Away}, Gavin Kelly {The Search}
The Life of Lester Wink
| Screening Time | March 16th at 3pm – as part of The Futures Short Films Screening |
| Summary | Lester Wink is a pet insurance salesman with a phobia of talking with strangers. He needs to bring in a sale by 5pm or get fired. Going door to door he meets Sammy, a widow who is afraid to leave her house. |
| Runtime: | 17 Minutes |
| CAST/CREW: | |
| Cast: |
Pat Shortt “Lester Wink” Clelia Murphy “Sammy the Cat Lady” Ronan Leahy “Mr. Stacks” |
| Crew |
Cassidy C. Harrison: Writer / Director Shane Serrano: Cinematographer David Hughes: Sound Designer Gregory Burrowes, Ronan Cassidy: Producers
Mark Gilleece: Editor A. Patrick Rose: Composer Steve Ferrone: Music supervisor James Donnelly: Production Designer |
| Previous Screenings: | Galway Film Fleadh 2023 Hollyshorts film festival 2023 Show me Shorts 2023 Richard Harris Film Festival 2023 (Nominated best in the Mid West award) Waterford film festival 2023 (winner, best film) |
Director Bio Ms. Cassidy C. Harrison started out as an actor studying with Sandy Meisner then graduated from Circle in the Square in NYC. But her real love was screenwriting and being behind the camera. She graduated from the New York Film Academy and went on to create and co-write her first screenplay with Boaz Yakin (Outlaws – Sony) who continues to be a mentor in her writing. She has worked as a writer/creator with Warner Brothers and is a two-time Sundance Alum for their producer track. Some past producing highlights include the award-winning documentary Feast of the Assumption: BTK and the Otero Family Murders, Executive, produced a low-budget horror comedy, Cutting Room, and the short The Shoe won several film awards. She has had her photography featured in art galleries in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Aspen, Colorado. Ms. Harrison resides in Los Angeles, California with her 11-year-old son Zuma. The Life of Lester Wink is her directorial debut.
The Search
| Screening Time | March 16th at 3pm – as part of The Futures Short Films Screening |
| Summary | As the local community search for her sons remains, Catherine also searches for answers to questions she doesn’t want to ask. |
| Runtime: | 7 Minutes |
| CAST/CREW: | |
| Cast: |
Maria Connelly – Catherine, Steven Cooke – James, Conan Hamilton – Sean ,
|
| Crew |
Gavin Kelly – Writer/Director , Adam Wilkinson – Producer, Lisa Service – Producer, Angus Mitchell – Cinematographer |
Born in Derry, Northern Ireland, Gavin has spent 8 years working as a Location Manager in the Northern Irish Screen industry. The Search is Gavin’s first Short film, shot over 2 days the film is inspired by events in his home town and is an entirely self funded project.
Far Away
| Screening Time | March 16th at 3pm – as part of The Futures Short Films Screening |
| Summary | A 12-year-old girl traumatised by her father’s neglect seeks solace in a relationship with her loving grandfather, and her favourite fairy tale, The Cattle Raid of Cooley. Her grandfather’s sudden death becomes the catalyst for her to run away and escape the pain of her childhood. |
| Runtime: | 15 Minutes |
| CAST/CREW: | |
| Cast: | Seamus O’Hara, James Doran, Lucy Donnely |
| Crew |
Nathaniel McCullagh, Director | Maeve McLoughlin, Producer | Zoe Lewis, Writer | Patrick Kirst, Composer |
| Previous Screenings: | Richard Harris International Film Festival, Ireland |
Nathaniel McCullagh, Director
Nathaniel is a graduate of the Peter Stark Producing Program at the University of Southern California, where he directed a Sundance winning short film and interned at DreamWorks and John Wells Productions. After graduation he worked in Los Angeles as Production Coordinator and Development Executive for TV producer Barbara Lieberman. Nathaniel’s thematic interest is narrative thrillers that have a meaningful political or socio-economic resonance to the wider world. Far Away will mark his return to directing, to be followed by his debut feature Beautiful Beasts, to be shot in the UK in 2024/5. IMDB
Maeve McLoughlin, Producer
Maeve began her career in unscripted television, working as a series producer in Factual Entertainment and Formats. Moving into Commissioning in 2019, Maeve is now an Executive for Channel 4. Scripted Producing has been a long time career ambition for Maeve who has been an avid theatre performer for all her life, and is delighted to be key part of the Far Away production team.
Zoe Lewis, Writer
Commissioned to write scripts for Working Title Films, currently adapting her paly Paradise Syndrome in to a movie for Blond/Black Pictures. Zoe is also engaged as writer for Bird with Andrew Eaton Productions. Her previous film projects includes Con Artist for Liberty Films and Bad Penny TV Drama with Blonde/Black Pictures. Work includes the critically acclaimed Grow Up: Keith Allen autobiography and Crazy Days: Sadie Frost. Zoe has co-written a feature with Nathaniel McCullagh, Beautiful Beasts.
Patrick Kirst, Composer
Patrick Kirst is a German-born film composer based in Los Angeles. He’s best known for his work on the highly successful, romantic comedy trilogy, Netflix’ The Kissing Booth. Most recently, he scored the Swedish survival drama Breaking Surface, the political documentary Welcome to Pine Lake (CBSN), the opioid crime drama Inherit the Viper (Lionsgate), and contributed to the score of the comedy The War with Grandpa, starring Robert De Niro.
Eric Fernandez, Editor
Born in Miami, FL from Cuban parents, Eric has been passionate about storytelling since a very young age. After graduating from the USC School of Cinematic Arts, Eric has worked on multiple feature films, Television series and documentaries. He currently lives in Los Angeles, CA.
Worry World
| Screening Time | March 16th at 3pm – as part of The Futures Short Films Screening |
| Summary | In a regimented world of black-and-white, where all thought is on display, a rebellious young factory worker who dreams in colour makes an unexpected connection |
| Runtime: | 9 Minutes |
| CAST/CREW: | |
| Cast: | Florence Adebambo & Domhnall Gleeson |
| Crew |
Hugh O’Conor – Writer Jessica Patterson – Director Shauna Cullen – Producer |
| Previous Screenings: | 🏆 Galway Film Fleadh – July 2023 – James Horgan Award Best Animated Short 🏆 Newport Beach Film Festival – September 2023 – Audience Award for Best Animated Short Animation Dingle 2024 – Official Selection AODR Film Festival 2024 – Official Selection Manchester Film Festival 2024 – Official Selection Foyle Film Festival – November 2023 – Official Selection Irish London Film Festival November 2023 – Official Selection Dublin International Film Festival – Official Selection Offline Film Festival – October 2023 – Official Selection Movievalley Film Festival – October 2023 – Official Selection |
Hugh O’Conor – Writer
Hugh is an actor, writer, director, and photographer. The Overcoat was nominated for an IFTA in 2020, and acquired by Amazon. Worry World won the Oscar-qualifying James Horgan award at the 2023 Galway Film Fleadh, and the Audience Award for Best Animated Short at the 2023 Newport Beach Film Festival.
Jessica Patterson – Director
Jessica is a director and animator from Dublin, Ireland. She received her first Oscar-qualifying award at the 2018 Galway Film Fleadh for The Wiremen, with her most recent short film Worry World receiving the same Oscar-qualifying award in 2023. Her film The Voyage was nominated for an IFTA in 2022.
Shauna Cullen – Producer
Shauna is a producer from Dublin, Ireland. She was recently nominated for the Bingham Ray New Talent award at the 2023 Galway Film Fleadh where Worry World won the Oscar-qualifying James Horgan award. It also won the Audience Award for Best Animated Short at the 2023 Newport Beach Film Festival.
Ó Lá Go Lá (From Day to Day)
| Screening Time | March 16th at 3pm – as part of The Futures Short Films Screening |
| Summary | Mick, a local trawlerman, has alienated people all around him, but when lockdown hits Ireland he faces extreme loneliness and the torture of a tin whistle learning kid next door. |
| Runtime: | 10 Minutes |
| CAST/CREW: | |
| Cast: | Mick – Paddy C. Courtney, |
| Crew |
Director – Stu Teehan, Producer & Editor – Úna Spillane, Writer – Amy Tierney, DOP – Carol Tormey, Sound – Ross Carew |
| Previous Screenings: | Stockholm City Film Festival 2022 – Best Screenplay; Waterford Film Festival 2023 – Best Short Screenplay Finalist; Stockholm City Film Festival 2023 – Finalist; International Shorts Film Festival 2024 – screening |
LONG STORY SHORT is Director, Stu Teehan and Producer, Úna Spillane,
both experienced professionals in their fields. Stu, has risen through the ranks over the last twenty years as a Director of Photography / Cameraman. Of latter years he has been focussing on directing commercials, corporate videos and multi camera events, such as the National Concert Hall. Stu’s visual talents also include his award winning photography @stuteehanphoto.
Úna, a graduate of the TU Dublin / Screen Ireland Postgraduate in Advanced Producing has worked her way up through the production offices on Vikings, Valhalla, Rachel; Carey’s Deadly Cuts and Joshua Oppenheimer’s, The End.
Ó Lá Go Lá is Long Story Short’s second short fllm. In addition to drama they produce a wide spectrum of video and photo content both for home grown and servicing international clients. Most recently they produced a talk show, The Shared Table, for Birra Moretti and Virgin Media.
Amy Tierney is a self published author and up and coming scriptwriter. Ó Lá Go Lá is Amy’s first script, which was a finalist in the Waterford Film Festival 2023.
Director of Photography, Carol Tormey, has taken the plunge into being a DOP, having earned her stripes in the camera department and as a First Assistant Camera. This is Carol’s first short as a DOP with two more shorts in post production.
Cantata
| Screening Time | March 16th at 3pm – as part of The Futures Short Films Screening |
| Summary | Darren embarks on a journey to overcome operatic hallucinations and re-connect with his inner child. |
| Runtime: | 12 Minutes |
| CAST/CREW: | |
| Cast: | Fionn Foley, Bryan Quinn, Hannah Mamalis, Morgan C Jones, Faye O’Rourke, Rory Musgrave |
| Crew |
Director: Dave Fox, Writer, Composer, Lead Actor: Fionn Foley, Producers: Rob Earley & Mark Griffin, Cinematographer: Ronan Nissenbaum, Editor: Dara McKeagney |
| Previous Screenings: | OFFICIAL SELECTIONS: Galway Film Fleadh – Ireland Kerry International Film Festival – Ireland Aesthetica Short Film Festival – York, UK Leuven International Film Festival – Belguim Flickerfest Short Film Festival – Australia |
Dave Fox is a writer/director from Dublin. Dave has a talent for creating character-driven pieces that are visually impactful and memorable whether comically or emotionally charged. His portfolio speaks to his adept ability to create likeable and unique characters and his innate understanding of comedy.
Fionn Foley Fionn is an award-winning actor, writer and composer based in Dublin, Ireland. Recent writing and composition credits include Tonic (Rough Magic Theatre Company), 14 Voices from The Bloodied Field (The Abbey Theatre), Fierce Notions (Dublin Fringe) the multi-award winning solo show Brendan Galileo for Europe (Show in A Bag; Edinburgh Fringe). Fionn’s musical adaptation of Roddy Doyle’s celebrated novel The Giggler Treatment premiered at the Ark in late 2023.
Rob Earley & Mark Griffin Take Ten Productions is an award-winning film production company founded by producers Mark Griffin and Rob Earley in 2020. They are a dynamic company specialising in actor-driven stories, with a strong focus on nurturing first-time writers and directors. They approach each project with great care, aiming to deliver first-class storytelling that resonates with audiences.
March 17th: 10am | The Contemporaries | {70 mins}
Short Films Screening: Croí (Heart) | Red Lake | You Ask Him | Hedy | Whale Lamb
A Q&A session will follow the screening with a selection of Cast/Crew from the Films including Johnny O'Callagahn, Jenn McGuirk, Arron Cobbs, Rian Sheehy Kelly and Matthew Nevin from 'You Ask Him'.
Croí / Heart
| Screening Time | March 17th at 10am – as part of The Contemporaries Short Films Screening |
| Summary | Two explorers from an ill-fated expedition in the Antarctic find shelter as they face one last, impossible leg of their journey to safety and the reveal of the truth of what happened out on the ice. |
| Runtime: | 16 Minutes |
| CAST/CREW: | |
| Cast: | Aaron Monaghan, Clare Monnelly, Barry McKiernan |
| Crew |
Writer/Director – Mícheál Fleming. Producers – Mícheál Fleming, Norma Howard. DOP – Burschi Wojnar. |
| Previous Screenings: | Galway Film Fleadh, Richard Harris Film Festival (Best Cinematography, Best Actor, Best Editing), Underground Cinema Awards (Best Original Score, Best Sound Design), Fastnet Film Festival, Kerry Film Festival, Waterford Film Festival, Boyne Valley Film Festival, Still Voices Film Festival Dave Fox is a writer/director from Dublin. Dave has a talent for creating character-driven pieces that are visually impactful and memorable whether comically or emotionally charged. His portfolio speaks to his adept ability to create likeable and unique characters and his innate understanding of comedy. |
Having been founded in 2017, SwanDive Productions has rapidly cemented itself as one of Ireland’s most exciting and versatile up-and-coming production companies. Starting out with Vegetable (2018), a 12 minute, 1-take film set in a post-apocalyptic world that follows a trio of undead and their desire to survive. Vegetable toured both nationally and internationally before being most recently seen on RTÉ’s Shortscreen. After this SwanDive went on to produce HALO (2019), a 16 minute, 1-take film set entirely within the taxi of protagonist Dara. HALO held its world premiere at the Galway Film Fleadh and garnered numerous accolades both nationally and internationally. Following a brief pandemic related hiatus, SwanDive produced a slew of music videos for acclaimed Irish artists Daithí, Elaine Mai and Sun Mahshene, respectively. In 2022 SwanDive received development and production funding for two further short films, Croí and Superhuman. Both of which premiered at the Galway Film Fleadh and are currently still on a national and international festival tour. 2023 continued the strong trend with short film Stable, which also premiered at the Galway Film Fleadh. Post Fleadh, SwanDive was announced as 1 of the recipients of the prestigious Screen Ireland Focus Short Scheme funding. A funding of €60,000 to produce a short film, Cat & Mouse. Which has just completed principal photography.
Red Lake
| Screening Time | March 17th at 10am – as part of The Contemporaries Short Films Screening |
| Summary | Estranged sisters Jess and Maddie return to Red Lake, mourning their father’s death. |
| Runtime: | 14 Minutes |
| CAST/CREW: | |
| Cast: | Claire Bermingham & Hazel Doupe |
| Crew |
Written by Claire Bermingham & Dani Alvarado Directed by Shaun Dunne |
Shaun Dunne – Shaun Dunne is a film and theatre artist who merges testimony and documentary material with new writing. Film work includes The First was a Boy, Iarscoláire and Dúirt Tú (You Said), all of which were awarded top prizes at premiere Irish Film festivals including Cork International Film Festival and Dublin International Film Festival. Shaun’s films have gone on to screen at the prestigious Raindance Film Festival, Galway Film Fleadh and at Kerry International Film Festival. In March 2022, Shaun presented his debut documentary feature at Dublin International Film Festival. Adapted from his theatre show Rapids, HOW TO TELL A SECRET was made in collaboration with Anna Rodgers and Invisible Thread Films. Shaun is currently developing two new narrative feature projects with support from Screen Ireland and in collaboration with Darren Thornton (A Date for Mad Mary) and Invisible Thread. Red Lake is Shaun’s debut dramatic short film.
You Ask Him
| Screening Time | March 17th at 10am – as part of The Contemporaries Short Films Screening |
| Summary | A casual encounter in the Hollywood Hills raises the question is anyone living their best life in LA? |
| Runtime: | 9 Minutes |
| CAST/CREW: | |
| Cast: |
Johnny O’Callaghan / Chris. Jenn McGuirk / Marie. Aron Cobb / Kevin. Rían Sheehy Kelly / Ryan Susanna Basden / Susie |
| Crew |
Written & Directed by Matthew Nevin. DOP – Neil Watson Camera 2 – Veronica Smith Sound – Jose Gallo Editor / Colourist – Oliver Kelly Sound Supervisor – Terry Grew |
| Previous Screenings |
L.A. IFS Film Fest – Los Angeles Independent Filmmakers Showcase Los Angeles Lift-Off Film Festival Los Angeles Short Film Festival Los Angeles |
Matthew Nevin is a Director based in Los Angeles and Dublin Ireland. He focuses on creative and innovative storytelling. An award winning Director that develops and produces Film, Television and online content that speaks directly to an engaged audience. Matthew produces a diverse slate of contemporary stories, social documentary, smart comedy, alongside artistic and experimental content. www.matthewnevin.com | www.pickmeuppictures.com
Hedy
| Screening Time | March 17th at 10am – as part of The Contemporaries Short Films Screening |
| Summary | A savvy young homeless girl creates a robot as a surrogate for her departed younger brother. Not everyone is happy with their partnership |
| Runtime: | 11 Minutes |
| CAST/CREW: | |
| Cast: | Sophie Clarke, Oscar Clarke, Megan Day, Patser Murray |
| Crew |
Written & Directed by Andy Clarke |
Andy Clarke is a VFX supervisor with over 20 years experience in the industry. He has a background in animation and has directed 2 short films, one animated and one live action & VFX. His films have won a number of awards at festivals around the world.
WHALE
| Screening Time | March 17th at 10am – as part of The Contemporaries Short Films Screening |
| Summary | Cian and his Mam seek refuge at a woman’s shelter. Their situation is complicated and the system fails them, so they are asked to leave. Cian sees no option but to help Mam the only way he knows how. |
| Runtime: | 7 Minutes |
| CAST/CREW: | |
| Cast: | Actors – Dane Whyte O’Hara + Maura Foley. |
| Crew |
Writer – Ben Conway. Director – Lorna Fitzsimons. DOP – Jass Foley. Producer – Martha O’Neil. |
| Previous Screenings |
Offline Film Festival, Ireland 2022 |
www.wildfirefilms.net
WE MAKE AWARD-WINNING FILM AND TELEVISION PROGRAMMES
ABOUT INTERESTING STORIES THAT ENGAGE AUDIENCES
BOTH AT HOME AND ABROAD
www.lornafitzsimons.com
Lorna is a photographer, writer and director from Ireland.
Lamb
| Screening Time | March 17th at 10am – as part of The Contemporaries Short Films Screening |
| Summary | An ordinary day takes a sinister turn for a woman and her child when a stranger walks into their isolated rural home. |
| Runtime: | 15 Minutes |
| CAST/CREW: | |
| Cast: | Aoife Duffin & Éanna Hardwicke, |
| Crew |
Writer & Director – Sinéad O’Loughlin, Producer Lara Hickey (Copper Alley Productions), Cinematography by Dan Keane, Edited by Kilian Waters, Sound Design & Composition by Die Hexen |
| Previous Screenings |
Festival Highlights: Tribeca Festival, Flickrs Rhode Island International Film Festival, Galway Film Fleadh, Cork International Film Festival, Foyle Film Festival, Santa Barbara International Film Festival, Dublin International Film Festival, Show Me Shorts, Aesthetica Film Festival, Bengalaru International Short Film Festival Awards: First Prize Best Screenplay – Flickrs Rhode Island Film Festival, Audience Award Best Short Film – Cork International Film Festival, Best Short Film – Dublin International Film Festival, Best Sound Design – Fastnet Film Festival, Best Cinematography – Beara Film Festival, Best International Short Film – Bengalaru International Film Festival, Audience Award Best Short Film – Bleeding Pig Film Festival, Best Director -Spookscreen Film Festival, Best Actor – Disappear Here Film Festival, Best Actor – Louth International Film Festival, Best Irish Short & Best Female Director – Dark Hedges Film Festival, Best Irish Short – Ennis International Fantastic Film Festival, Best Short Film – Dublin Independent Film Festival, Best Script – Women in Film and Television Ireland, Best Short Film – Kinsale Shark Awards |
Sinéad O’Loughlin
Sinéad O’Loughlin is an award winning filmmaker based in Cork. Thematically, her work draws heavily on her rural background and explores stories and characters in contemporary rural Ireland.Her most recent short film Lamb (2022) premiered at Tribeca, was Irish Film and TV Academy Award nominated and Oscar qualified and has won 16 national and international awards. Previous work includes Stray (2019) and Homecoming (2016). Sinéad is currently in development with Copper Alley Productions on her first feature film and in development with WildCat Pictures with a TV project.
http://www.sineadoloughlin.ie
Copper Alley Productions is an award-winning production company based in Dublin, Ireland. We develop and produce short and feature length narrative films. We are interested in character driven, intellectually rigorous, philosophically curious and emotionally engaged cinema with a strong audience focus.
Their work has been selected internationally at over 65 festivals including Tribeca Film Festival, Sitges Film Festival, Fantastic Fest; has received multiple awards at the Galway Film Fleadh; and has been nominated by the Irish Film & Television Academy. The company currently has five feature films in development with Screen Ireland and the Arts Council.
March 17th: 1:15-2:30pm | Creative Network including Light Lunch
with The Irish in Los Angeles Panel Discussion at 1:45pm
Led by Alan Smyth | Featuring Sonya Macari, Kevin Ryan & Johnny O'Callaghan
Special Guests: Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media Thomas Byrne and Consul General of Ireland Marcella Smyth
A snack / light lunch will be provided for guests attending this panel discussion.
Join us for a standout panel discussion with Irish actors based in Los Angeles. Get insights into their personal journeys, the highs and lows of their careers, and their breakthroughs in the entertainment industry. This session offers a deep dive into the craft of acting, practical advice for up-and-comers, and perspectives on the evolving world of film and TV. The panel is a chance to engage with the vibrant Irish acting community in LA and learn what it takes to succeed internationally.
March 17th: 10am | The Docs | {140 mins}
Short Docs Screening: Letter to Lia | Movers and Shapers | This Land
Feature Doc Screening: In The Shadow of Beirut
Letter To Lia
| Screening Time | March 17th at 10am – as part of The Docs |
| Summary | A creative rumination on the identity of children growing up in a changing Northern Ireland from the starting point of the filmmaker’s own daughter. |
| Runtime: | 14 Minutes |
| Filmmaker | Nicky Larkin |
| Featuring | Marco Bianchini, Angela Herman, Frank Liddy, Matthew Cavan, Maria Lourenco, James Hunter, Andris Neilands, Katerina Fanouraki |
| Previous Screenings: | LETTER TO LIA screened at Docs Ireland, IndieCork, Rouen International Film Festival, Varese Film Festival, Waterford International Film Festival, Still Voices, Louth International Film Festival, Rieti Film Festival, and won ‘Best Director’ at Picentia Film Festival, and ‘Best Documentary’ at Vesuvius Film Festival |
Nicky Larkin is a Belfast based writer-director and documentary filmmaker. Most recently he directed the 4-part TV series SECOND CHANCES, which began it’s run on Irish TV on Sunday 7th January on Virgin Media One.
In 2019 he directed CHERRIE, ME & HIV, a BBC Northern Ireland documentary.
His Northern Ireland Screen funded short doc BECOMING CHERRIE was nominated for ‘Best British Short’ at the Iris Prize, and was screened at numerous international film festivals including Dublin International Film Festival, Dinard Film Festival, Docs Ireland, Melbourne Doc Festival, and won ‘Best LGBT Short’ at the Bolton International Film Festival. BECOMING CHERRIE is currently available on the RTE Player.
His feature-length thriller THE SCREAMERS was developed through NI Screen and has been optioned by Poli Productions.
He was selected for BBC Writersroom ‘Belfast Voices’ 2021-22.
In 2023 was awarded BAFTA Connect membership.
https://www.nickylarkinfilm.com/
Movers and Shapers
| Screening Time | March 17th at 10am – as part of The Docs |
| Summary | A short documentary about the ways a new wave of surfers and shapers on Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way are transforming their industry to make it more sustainable. |
| Runtime: | 10 Minutes |
| Directors: | Ciara Kelleher and Alanna MacNamee, |
| Cast/Crew: |
Produced by Rob Gill, Ciara Kelleher and Alanna MacNamee, Starring Ollie O’Flaherty, Michael Meleady and Philippe Hetier |
| Previous Screenings: |
Screening at Galway Film Fleadh, the British and Irish Film Festival of Luxembourg, DocsIreland, Newport Beach Film Festival, Portuguese Surf Film Festival, Kerry International Film Festival, Other Venice Film Festival, San Diego Surf Film Festival, Inheritance Film Festival and Bilboa Surf Film Festival. Won: Best Director at Vesuvius Film Festival |
Ciara Kelleher is a director and actress from Limerick. Her directorial debut came in 2021 with the short horror film Family Man. Movers & Shapers is her second project and was shortlisted for Sheffield DocFest & Film in Limerick funding. She holds a second class honours degree in international Business from the University of Limerick and a Level 9 in Marketing Management. She has previously worked on First Dates Ireland (RTE), Fresh Film Festival (RTE) and Last One Laughing (Amazon).
Alanna MacNamee is a journalist and researcher from Limerick City. Alanna holds a first class honours degree in English from Trinity College Dublin, as well as a first class honours MA in Media and Broadcast Production from Queen’s University Belfast. A regular contributor to the Business Post Magazine, Alanna has also been published in Evoke, Vice and Hot Press. She has written two audio dramas and directed a third for Baker Street Productions audio production company. Two of these were featured in the Watford Fringe Festival 2021.
In addition to her writing work, Alanna works as a researcher at Tyrone Productions, where recent credits include Jamie-Lee O’Donnell: The Real Derry (Channel 4), The Summer Show (RTÉ1) and Dr Eva’s Great Escape (RTÉ1). Movers & Shapers is her second short film project with Ciara Kelleher, with whom she previously worked on the short horror Family Man (2021).
Movers and Shapers to feature at the 2023 Richard Harris Film Festival
This Land
| Screening Time | March 17th at 10am – as part of The Docs |
| Summary | A film exploring cultural identity in Ireland directed by Zithelo Bobby MthombeniWhat makes you Irish? Is it your passport? Your accent? The West Kerry phrase that only your family and friends understand? Is it the food? The drink?’THIS LAND’, a short film about Ireland’s relationship with race, identity and immigration. The film explores different ways of experiencing Irishness, via discussions with chefs, artists, musicians, entrepreneurs, journalists and activists. It also explores the impact of racism and Direct Provision on the outlook of the people interviewed. |
| Runtime: | 20 Minutes |
| Directed & Edited by: | Zithelo Bobby Mthombeni |
| Crew: |
Produced by: The Tenth Man, Eric Davidson & Ellen Bennett Director of Photography: James Clarke Original Score and Mixing by: Brian Mc Namara |
| Featuring: | Felispeaks, Tara Stewart, Bounce The P.R.O., Senita Appiakorang, George Voronov, Pedro Ferraz, NUXSENSE, Beyond Representation, Dean Van Nguyen, Ayuba Salaudeen, Ivan Klucka, Gunmoo Kim, Footrocker, Black Pride Ireland and Jeremiah Moulonso, as well as work from Asylum Archive. |
| Previous Screenings: | “Kerry Internal Film festival — Awards: TRUA AWARD WINNER: THIS LAND KIFF’s inaugural TRUA AWARD, celebrating compassionate filmmaking that excites positive change. “ |
Bobby Zithelo is a versatile visual artist, photographer and filmmaker. His latest documentary offers a poignant insight into contemporary Irish life, particularly the challenges facing young people. https://www.thetenthman.com
In The Shadow of Beirut
| Screening Time | March 17th at 10.45am – Tickets Here – Note this will screen after 3 short docs that start at 10am in Screen 2 |
| Summary | From the makers of GAZA (Sundance 2019), comes a new cinematic odyssey that penetrates deep below the surface of Beirut, a still beautiful, yet deeply troubled city on the brink of financial collapse. In the Shadow of Beirut weaves four compelling storylines together in a searing portrait of a people and a city struggling to survive amidst some of the most difficult living conditions imaginable. In this failing state, it is the vulnerable who suffer most. Through intimate, character driven and cinematic storytelling, the stark reality of life for the protagonists of the film is symbolic of the hundreds of thousands of others who fight for survival in the most diverse country in the Middle East. |
| Runtime: | 93 Minutes |
| Crew: |
Directors: Garry Keane and Stephen Gerard Kelly Producers: Brendan J. Byrne, Myriam Sassine |
| Previous Screenings: |
Screening at Galway Film Fleadh, the British and Irish Film Festival of Luxembourg, DocsIreland, Newport Beach Film Festival, Portuguese Surf Film Festival, Kerry International Film Festival, Other Venice Film Festival, San Diego Surf Film Festival, Inheritance Film Festival and Bilboa Surf Film Festival. Won: Best Director at Vesuvius Film Festival |
Garry Keane is an accomplished filmmaker, having directed over 100 hours of documentary footage in over 20 countries worldwide. His documentaries have been nominated numerous awards, including 20 Irish Film & Television Awards; winning 9, including ‘Best Director’ in 2013 and 2018. Garry’s feature documentary GAZA (2019) made its world premiere at Sundance Film Festival and was Ireland’s entry to the 2020 Oscars in the ‘Best International Feature’ category.
Director and cinematographer Stephen Gerard Kelly is Dublin-raised, internationally present, and socially conscious filmmaker. He spent six years living in and filming issues facing vulnerable communities in Beirut, particularly in Sabra and Shatila, for the feature documentary In The Shadow of Beirut. This was his directorial debut and was selected as Ireland’s entry for ‘Best International Feature’ at the 2024 Oscars, as well long-listed for the Best Documentary Feature.
About CIACLA's Irish Film Festival Los Angeles
CIACLA’s Irish Film Festival in Los Angeles celebrates and showcases the rich history and culture of Ireland through film. It brings together the local Irish community and film lovers to experience the diversity and talent of Irish filmmakers. The showcase provides a platform for filmmakers to showcase their work and engage with audiences, promoting cultural exchange and education. The showcase screens films with a curated selection of English & Irish {Gaeilge} language films from Irish Filmmakers living across the globe, while also celebrating the best in contemporary Irish film produced on the island of Ireland. The films selected for the showcase represent a diverse range of themes, styles, and perspectives, offering something for everyone. The Irish film industry has a rich history of producing critically acclaimed, captivating and thought-provoking films. From internationally awarded feature length and short films, dramas to heartfelt contemporary stories, Irish film has the ability to entertain, inspire, and educate audiences.
CIACLA’s Irish film festival in Los Angeles is a wonderful opportunity to bring the best of Irish cinema to the West Coast of the USA, providing a platform for Irish filmmakers to showcase their work and connect with new audiences. CIACLA’s Irish Film Showcase in Los Angeles provides a positive impact on the Irish film industry by showcasing Irish films to a new and diverse audience, helping to raise the profile of Irish cinema, promoting it to a global audience. This increased exposure helps to open up new opportunities for Irish filmmakers, both in terms of funding and distribution.
The Irish film festival in Los Angeles is an opportunity to bring the Irish community, friends, peers and colleagues together, fostering a sense of community and pride in Irish Culture. The showcase provides a space for filmmakers to network and connect with their peers, forging new relationships and collaborations, including Q&A sessions with filmmakers. This provides audiences with an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the films and the filmmakers behind them. It also provides a platform for Irish-American filmmakers to connect with their roots and film enthusiasts to engage with exciting new content, while also strengthening the cultural link between Ireland and the United States.
PICTURES OF #IFFLA24
Photo Credit Conor Duffy / Matthew Nevin
