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NEW IRISH TALENT: Oscailt films premiere at the Cork Film Festival

The latest shorts commissioned under the OSCAILT short film scheme, jointly funded by Bord Scannán na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board and TG4, will premiere at the Cork Film Festival this Saturday October 16th. The Oscailt scheme has produced a number of award-winning short films and showcases the wealth of Irish film talent working in the Irish language.

Included in this years line-up is the latest film from the multi-award winning team behind YU MING IS ANIM DOM, FLUENT DYSPHASIA. Scripted and directed by one of Ireland’s hottest emerging directors Daniel O’Hara, FLUENT DYSPHASIA is a humorous story starring Stephen Rea, who wakes one day, mysteriously speaking perfect Irish, - which he never could before - and having forgotten how to speak English. O’Hara’s previous short YU MING IS ANIM DOM continues to scoop a host of prestigious awards around the globe.

Other Oscailt shorts include AN DAOG IS FAIDE, produced by Karen Edmonds, producer/director of RTE’s PRIME TIME series. AN DAOG IS FAIDE, which is currently screening in cinemas nationwide with Irish feature MAN ABOUT DOG, tells the heartrending story of Co. Clare athlete Michael Murphy’s participation in the 1932 Olympics. AN DAOG IS FAIDE was written and directed by Hugh Farley (ROS NA RUN; FAIR CITY; HOLLYOAKS).

CABIN FEVER, TREASURE ISLAND and HOUSE HUNTERS producer Hilary O’Donovan has teamed up with Mary Crumlish, who makes her directorial debut with IDIR AN DHA COMHAIRLE, scripted and starring Anne Learmont (Ros na Run).

The last of the Oscailt’s to premiere this year comes from the Cartoon Saloon team and is a beautiful animated piece entitled CUILLAN DUALACH, scripted by Jackie Mac Donnacha and directed by Nora Twomey.

“The Oscailt short film scheme is very important as it provides the opportunity for Irish filmmakers to tell Irish stories in our native language” said Moira Horgan, BSE/IFB Head of Marketing. “We would like to congratulate all of this years Oscailt filmmakers on producing an incredibly diverse and creative selection of films.”

"This is the seventh season of Oscailt at Cork' said Proinsias Ní Ghráinne, Eagarthóir Coimisiúnaithe TG4. 'The annual premiere of top class short films by new talent gives a great boost to TV drama production in Irish. The quality of this year's four films is testament to a vibrant force of creative talent working in the Irish language and I have no doubt that they will shine in the TG4 schedule when broadcast in early 2005. Tús maith leath na hoibre !"

All of the Oscailt shorts will premiere this Saturday 16th October at 4.30 in the Kino Cinema.