SHORT CUTS 10th Anniversary at the Cork Film Festival
The Bord Scannán na hÉireann/Irish Film Board and RTÉ funded short film scheme Short Cuts this year celebrates ten years of launching new Irish filmmaking talent, with the latest Short Cut films premiering at the Cork Film Festival this Saturday.Over the past 10 years Short Cuts has proved to be an invaluable launching pad for some of Ireland’s most talented directors and actors, and presents an excellent opportunity to check out emerging and established Irish talent.
Damien O’Donnell’s award winning 35 ASIDE was made under the first Short Cuts scheme in 1994 and led to him to direct the box office hit EAST IS EAST and more recently INSIDE I’M DANCING which will be released in cinemas nationwide this week.
Director John Moore, who got his start on BSÉ/IFB-backed short HE SHOOTS, HE SCORES, went onto helm BEHIND ENEMY LINES starring Gene Hackman, and is presently shooting the remake of FLIGHT OF THE PHOENIX for Fox. Oscar nominated Kirsten Sheridan (Best Screenplay for IN AMERICA) also made her directorial debut with THE CASE Of MAJELLA McGINTY in the 1999 round of SHORT CUTS and international stars such as Colm Meaney, Brendan Gleeson and John Hurt have all featured in Irish shorts over the past 10 years.
This year’s new wave of SHORT CUT talent includes Today FM and Q102 commercials director Brian O’Malley’s film entitled SCREWBACK. Produced by Red Rage Productions, SCREWBACK stars Liam Cunningham in the lead role and was shot on location around city centre Dublin, Skerries, and Eastwall.
Brian Lynch, who wrote episodes for the BAFTA award-winning series CUSTERS LAST STAND has written Igloo Films’ SUNBURN, directed by Jennifer Keegan. Keegan and Lynch last teamed up on the award-winning short CACA MILIS, which starred Brendan Gleeson. Former ‘Head to Toe’ presenter Keegan, has also previously directed a number of documentaries and the BSE/IFB funded Short Short THE SACRED AND THE PROFANE.
COLD FEET cinematographer James Maher has co-directed PREY ALONE with commercials director Stephen St Leger. Maher and St Leger have also both directed a number of successful commercials campaigns. Fantastic Films are producing this short, having previously producing Alan Gilsenan’s low budget feature TIMBUKTU which premiered at the Dublin Film Festival earlier this year.
Ian Power, who’s first short BUSKERS was selected for official competition in Edinburgh, has also directed a SHORT CUT this year entitled THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF KELVIN KIND in May. This short was produced by Fastnet Films, who previously produced the low budget film THE HALO EFFECT starring Stephen Rea.
Psychological thriller RECOIL starring Bosco Hogan (KING ARTHUR, EVELYN) and Bern Deegan will also screen on Saturday and is directed by Billy McCannon and produced by Jonathan Cummins.
“It's thrilling and encouraging to see the new talent of tomorrow getting involved with the SHORT CUTS initiative and we are proud to support the continued development of Irish filmmakers”, said Brendan McCarthy, BSE/IFB Head of Production & Development.
Short Cuts premieres this Saturday 16th October at 11.30am in the Kino Cinema at the Cork Film Festival. For more information on the Cork Film Festival visit www.corkfilmfest.org