The Making Shorts – Short Films Panel , which is held during the 11th IRISH FILM FESTA (March 21st – 25th, 2018) aims to be an opportunity for an in-depth analysis over the short film sector as part of the Irish and Northern Irish film industry, as a result of the undisputed quality of the films produced and of the international awards obtained.
The production of short films in Ireland is constantly developing, both in terms of quality and quantity: the Irish Film Board, public institution that supports the national film industry, every year it provides specific funds for fiction, documentary and animation, including also other special initiatives. In Northern Ireland, similar initiatives are carried out by Northern Ireland Screen.
The programming of the main national festivals devotes ample space to short films; out of these – the Galway Film Fleadh, the Cork Film Festival and the Foyle Film Festival – are Academy Awards qualifying festivals and hence they guarantee to their winners the eligibility for the Oscars.
So far, three short films from Ireland or Northern Ireland have won an Oscar for Best Short Film: Six Shooter by Martin McDonagh (2005), The Shore by Terry George (2011) and Stutterer by Benjamin Cleary (2015).
Short films do represent a platform of affirmation for young talents but also a mean for expression more and more frequent and used by already renowned filmmakers.
Short films have always been a strong asset in Irish cinema and also actors have been very much involved with them, whether they are acting in short films, taking care of the dubbing (for animation shorts) and also directing: an example is Brendan Gleeson who has just finished filming, and for the first time as director, the short film Psychic.
IRISH FILM FESTA has always paid particular attention to this area of the Irish film production. Since 2010, we have run a very popular competition, the only one inside the festival, and specifically dedicated to shorts.
The panel of this year represents a special occasion for networking and debate for all Italian filmmakers and film professionals since they will have the chance to share ideas and projects with their fellow Irish filmmakers following up the panel presentation.
Speakers:
Christine Morrow (Northern Ireland Screen)
Derry O’Brien (Network Ireland Television)
Eibh Collins (Galway Film Fleadh, short film programmer)
moderator: Gar O’Brien
Some short films directors attending the festival will also take part in the panel.
Casa del Cinema, March 22nd 2018
3pm – 5pm (Sala Deluxe, free entry, simultaneous translation)
RSVP (info and accreditation): irishfilmfesta@gmail.com – tel.: 3396509015