Selection of IFB Shorts Air on RTÉ's Short Screen Series
A wild and wonderful selection of Irish award-winning short films are airing on RTÉ's Short Screen series. Ranging from magical to musical, the line-up includes John Butler's The Ballad of Kid Kanturk, Ken Wardrop's The Herd, Runners, directed by Rob and Ronan Burke, Kealan O'Rourke's Fairycatcher, Hugh O'Conor's Corduroy and David O'Sullivan's Moore St Masala.
The Ballad of Kid Kanturk, written by Kevin Barry, stars Eileen Walsh (Eden) and Mark Doherty (A Film With Me In It), telling the story of a bog-gothic love-duel between aging since Slim Mannion, reborn Rock'billy sensation Kid Kanturk and the seductive rock'billy vamp caught between them.
Short documentary The Herd shows a farmer and his mother as they discuss the arrival of a strange animal amongst their herd of Limousin cattle. This quirky short was produced by Andrew Freedman of Venom Films. Wardrop and Freedman are the team behind the award-winning feature His & Hers, which was the top-selling DVD in Ireland last month.
Starring Aidan Gillen (The Wire) and Mark Butler (Song For A Raggy Boy), Runners follows eighteen year old Derek, who is finding it increasingly difficult to juggle his ‘career' as a drugs runner while also maintaining a relationship and a family. Written by Pierce Ryan, the short film was selected as a finalist at the Producers Guild of America's "Producers Challenge" in L.A earlier this year.
Inspired by the dark fairy-tales of old, Fairycatcher, is the poignant tale of a young fairy named Gwendal, who after witnessing the brutal death of his friend at the hands of a mysterious creature, is captured by the Queen's Fairycatcher and must attempt to escape and find a way to save himself. This magical fable is currently enjoying success on the international festival circuit.
In Corduroy following her suicide attempt, a young autistic woman is brought to the west of Ireland to learn how to surf, and discovers she likes it. Starring Domhnall Gleeson (Sensation) and shot by Oscar-nominated Ruairí Robinson (50% Grey) this poignant project was selected for competition at the renowned Berlinale Film Festival.
The colourful and vibrant Moore St Masala was filmed in Dublin's Moore Street with members of the public taking part in the Bollywood dance finale after shop clerk, Baba, falls for the sexy estate agent across the street. When he sells her lunch, she steals his heart. There is only one way their love can make it... Bollywood Style!
This eclectic mix of shorts contain something to suit all the family! Be sure to catch them on RTÉ1's Short Screen on the following dates:
08/11/2010 The Ballad of Kid Kanturk
29/11/2010 The Herd
06/12/2010 Runners
13/12/2010 Fairycatcher
20/12/2010 Corduroy
27/12/2010 Moore St Masala