New Irish shorts showcase a host of emerging Irish directors, writers and stars at the Galway Film Fleadh
The latest new Irish short films, which showcase the work of a host of Irish writers and directors, will premiere at the Galway Film Fleadh, running this month from July 10th - 15thThe films have been produced under the IFB funded Short Cuts, Short Shorts and Frameworks schemes and aim to provide a platform for new creative voices, encouraging filmmakers with distinctive directorial skills and cinematic flair.
The film scheme has proved to be an important launching pad for some of Ireland's most talented directors including Damian O'Donnell (35 Aside), John Moore (He Shoots, He Scores) and Kirsten Sheridan (The Case of Magellan McGivney). Irish director team Stephen St. Leger and James Mather who directed the short cut Prey Alone two years ago, have just recently been signed to write and direct the feature film adaptation of a Chris Kirby's Devils Due comic-book ‘Lost Squad' for US production outfit Rogue Pictures (The Hitcher, Balls of Fury).
This year the line-up is particularly exciting, featuring short films from a range of emerging directors including PJ Dillon, who is the director of DEEP BREATHS. Dillon has previously directed a number of short films and commercials, including the IFTA winner Headwrecker, but is more well known for his director of photography credits on feature films Timbuktu, Dead Long Enough, Kings and 32A, as well as RTÉ's The Big Bow Wow, Legend, and Stew. DEEP BREATHS is a dark psychological thriller starring Irish actors Alan Leech (Love is the Drug, Man About Dog) and Amy Huberman (The Clinic) and is produced by Alex Jones for Stockyard Pictures.
Other directors presenting short films this year include actor and comedian Owen O'Neill whose film THE BASKET CASE is a dark, twisted, comic tale of love, devotion, death and debt, set in small town Ireland. The film stars Declan Conlon, Marcella Plunkett, Simon Delaney (Bachelors Walk) and comedian Deirdre O'Kane (Paths to Freedom). O'Neill has previously written The Fitz, a sitcom for the BBC, seven plays for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, where he won two awards, and has starred in a number of features including Mickey & Me and The General. THE BASKET CASE is produced by Katie Holly at Blinder Films.
Steph Green, who previously worked as assistant to Spike Jonze (Being John Malcovich), has directed a film adapted from a short story by Roddy Doyle, called NEW BOY. The poignant and comedic short film deftly captures the experience of being the new kid in school through the eyes of Joseph, a nine-year-old African boy. Green has won numerous awards for her previous shorts, commercials and music videos. She has been recognised twice in the New Director Showcase at Cannes Lions. NEW BOY is produced by Tamara Anghie from Zanzibar Films, producer of the multi award winning shorts Fíorghael, A Dublin Story and Push Hands.
FRANKIE is written and directed by Darren Thornton who co-wrote and directed the successful RTE 2 drama series Love is the Drug (which won an IFTA for Best Drama). FRANKIE tells the story of a young 15 year old boy preparing for fatherhood. He is determined he's going to be the best dad ever, but as his day goes on, he starts to realise how impossible this will be for him. Featuring Ryan Andrews (The Clinic) as Frankie, Darren Healy (Love is the Drug) and Mary Murray (Adam and Paul), FRANKIE is produced by Collette Farrell for Calipo Picture Company.
Short Cuts will premiere at the Galway Film Fleadh on Saturday 14th July at 4pm in the Town Hall Theatre.
More details on Frameworks and Short Short to follow shortly.