The 16th IRISH FILM FESTA is taking place from March 26th to 30th at the Casa del Cinema in Rome.
Our competitive section, for short films produced or co-produced in Ireland, gathered over 200 submissions: reaching the final selection of thirteen shorts (plus two out-of-competition), was incredibly tough.
Heartfelt thanks to all the Irish filmmakers who shared their work with us, and congratulations to the ones who are going to screen at the festival.
IRISH FILM FESTA full programme is to be announced soon.
SHORT FILM COMPETITION
A WIND AND THE SHADOW
Kris Kelly
Ireland 2023, 8’51”
produced by Brian J. Falconer, Vicki Rock
with the voices of Niamh Algar and Catherine Clinch
In a journey where the line between reality and memory blurs, a mother confronts her fears and the daughter bravely discusses her illness. The story is inspired by real events.
CAT & MOUSE
Michael-David McKernan
Ireland 2024, 10’00”
produced by Mícheál Fleming
with Aoife Hinds, Peter Coonan, Gus McDonagh
Disguised as a mouse, an inept thief makes an unlikely connection with a disgruntled waitress during a bungled diner robbery. With Peter Coonan and Aoife Hinds.
EARMARK
Ste Murray
Ireland 2024, 11’00’’
produced by Mícheál Fleming
with Ste Murray, Derbhle Crotty, Fiona Browne, Jonny Murray, Finnuala Gillen, Hilary Cahill, Bobby Toole
Meet Mark. A daydreamer who has lived with hearing loss for his whole life. As his condition deteriorates, Mark must listen to his past and face the present, in order to move forward with his life.
GAEL FORCE
Tara Hegarty
Ireland 2024, 8’10’’
produced by Roisín Geraghty
with Evelyn Cusack
In 1999, Irish national broadcaster RTÉ announced that its weather forecasters, would be replaced by attractive young television presenters. But the people of Ireland had something to say about that.
HERE
Mark Lynch
Ireland 2024, 15’00’’
produced by Hana Mohamed
with Daniel Power, Elise Brophy, Michael Power
Leon returns to his childhood home for the first time since starting college only to find it devoid of Christmas cheer and turned into a shrine to his late Mother. He must confront his grief and decide whether to stay or leave.
I KNOW YOU
Colm S. Herron
Northern Ireland 2023, 23’15’’
produced by Trevor Birney
with Colm S. Herron, Ellen Hasson, Micheal Johnston, Caoimhe Sweeney, Michéal McDaid, Eoin Ball
Gerard returns home after his brother falls ill. He discovers upon arrival that the rest of the family have ulterior motives regarding the family’s estate.
JASMINE
Tom Caulfield
USA 2024, 02’18’’
produced by Aubry Mintz
with the voice of Rahaf Seahdh
Jasmine, a young Syrian artist and her mother were preparing for a meal when a bomb hit their home. They manage to escape only to find the destruction that remains in their city.
First short produced by ASIFA-Hollywood, the organisation behind the annual Annie Awards.
LECANVEY LAKERS
Ben McDonald, Rob de Boer
Ireland 2024, 07’54’’
produced by Émilie Richard-Froozan
with Michael Gallen, Sonya Maher, AJ Keegan, Tom O’Malley, Austin Joyce, Brian Brit
An opera composer lives in the rural West Coast of Ireland, where the winters are harsh and isolating. He rallies together an unlikely gang of teammates for a local pick-up basketball game that becomes a light in the community and their lives.
The short represented Europe in the NBA’s Films for Fans series.
NAKED LIGHTS
Jeda de Brí
Ireland 2024, 14’08’’
produced by Gregory Burrowes
with Hannah Mamalis, Fionn Foley, Keith Jordan, Ashleigh Dorrell
When a masked stranger threatens to burn down a 24-hour petrol station, disaffected night shift attendant Emma is all that stands in his way.
ONE BY ONE, THE LIGHTS GO OUT
Kathy Raftery
Ireland 2024, 06’30’’
produced by Laura Cranley
As the filmmaker’s 87-year-old father leaves the land he tended for decades, the film captures the quiet end of an era for the family farm. Narrated by Michael Harding and inspired by his essay, it’s a tender meditation on legacy, loss, and the passage of time.
RETIREMENT PLAN
John Kelly
Ireland 2024, 07’17’’
produced by Julie Murnaghan, Andrew Freedman
narrated by Domhnall Gleeson
At apathy with his life, Ray dreams of the beauty and joy he will find in retirement.
THE MEMORIES OF OTHERS
Pauline Vermare, Marc Lesser
USA 2024, 19’56’’
produced by Marc Lesser, Pauline Vermare, Noah Avidan
with Trish Lambe, Sean O’Hagan, Tom Burke, Kusi Okamura, Anthony Haughey, Rihito Kimura, Masako Toda, Tetsuo Toda, Danny Morrison
A short documentary film uncovering Japanese photographer Akihiko Okamura’s extraordinary work in Ireland during the Troubles, and the artistic and emotional impact of its recent rediscovery.
Made in collaboration with Photo Museum of Ireland, Dublin and Akihiko Okamura Archive, Tokyo.
VINNY
Declan Boyle
Ireland 2024, 03’05’’
produced by Declan Boyle
Through the ups and downs of the music industry, Vinny struggles to remain relevant.
THE JURY
Antonio Bibbò / UniTrento
Costantino Margiotta / Producer
Kelly O’Connor / Head of Cultural Affairs – Embassy of Ireland, London
OUT OF COMPETITION
GOOD TIDINGS WE BRING
Seán Mullan
Northern Ireland 2024, 19’14’’
produced by Gareth Stewart
with Shannon Wilkinson, Latifa Shoma, Shamim Hasan, Insia Hassn Ophelia
As Christmas approaches, a young woman between homes wanders the streets seeking a night’s shelter. The sun sets along with her hopes until an unexpected offer comes knocking.
Seán Mullan, winner of the 2024 competition, presents his new short.
WARTS & ALL
Pat Shortt
Ireland 2022, 19’14’’
produced by Gareth Stewart
with Shannon Wilkinson, Latifa Shoma, Shamim Hasan, Insia Hassn Ophelia
Aron, a single thirty-something, attempts to navigate falling in love, while trying to hide his insecurities. He wrestles with his longing to fit in and being true to himself, unsure whether the real him is too much for anyone to love.
The festival pays tribute to Pat Shortt, screening his directorial debut short film.