Short Film Celebration for the Shortest Day of the Year - December 21st
To mark the shortest day of the year and celebrate the depth and breadth of short film making in Ireland Bord Scannán na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board (BSE/IFB), UGC Cinemas, and Network Ireland Television announced details today of UGC Short Screen, which will run all day long at UGC Cinemas on the shortest day of the year Tuesday December 21st only at 10.30, 1pm, 3.30pm, 6pm, 9pm.UGC Short Screen features 12 of the finest Irish short films, running back-to-back for 2 hours long, covering every genre from drama to comedy to animation.
This special programme provides the opportunity to see Daniel O'Hara's multi-award winning short Yu Ming Is Ainm Dom, which has picked up over 17 awards on the international stage. Also screening will be O'Hara's second more recent short Fluent Dysphasia starring Stephen Rea, which scooped the Audience Award at the Cork Film festival this year.
The Oscar-Nominated short Give up Yer Auld sins produced by Brown Bags Films, is also included in the programme. Other comedy shorts include the animated Nun's Fight Club, a mockumentary about nuns who set up their own version of Fight Club in their basement and Agricultural Report an engaging animated comedy about the effect that the media has on its listeners. Après Match comedian Gary Cooke features in Boris, a hilarious live action short about Boris Yelsin's visit to Ireland.
An DÃog is Faide (The Longest Ditch), written and directed by Hugh Farley, will also feature in the programme and tells the true story of Irish Olympics athletic Michael "Sonny" Murphy, who competed in the Steeplechase event in the Los Angeles Olympics in 1932.
"We are delighted to be involved with this exciting short film event and the varied programme of shorts highlights the vast array of incredibly talented directors, writers and actors currently working in the Irish film industry" said Moira Horgan, BSÉ/IFB Head of Marketing.
"We are confident that this short film package represents the best material currently available from Irish Producers and Directors in this genre. These shorts either have or will register internationally at major awards ceremonies and festivals", said Derry O'Brien, Network Ireland Television.
"The lead up to Christmas is extremely busy with releases from the big studios. There is no better time to offer an Irish alternative and to celebrate the diversity of short film-making in Ireland", said Emer McEvoy, UGC Cinemas, "UGC Short Screen will brighten up the shortest day with a vibrant mix of Irish shorts that might not otherwise be seen on the big screen".
Many of these short films were commissioned through Bord Scannán na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board's various short film schemes which are co-financed with RTE, TG4 and the Arts Council. For more information about these schemes plus details on how to apply for funding visit the Guidelines section of this website.
For full list of the UGC Short Screen programme and information about individual shorts, please click here.