The Maynooth Film for All Club season finished this month and will resume in October 2019. I was delighted to once again be invited to curate a programme of short films for the season, and had great fun selecting some wonderful films, all made in the Irish language. As always, the standard of productions was very high. Congratulations to all the filmmakers on their amazing work, and thanks also to Dingle Film Festival for providing contacts to their Fisín awardees.

 

‘An Mhallacht’

Written by Antoin Beag Ó Colla and directed by Coilin O Scolai. This dark comedy drama revolves around two brothers and how the Mayo GAA Curse of 1951 affects their daily lives – pushing them to the point where they go against all they believe to be true.

 

‘Bonsoir Luna’

Written and directed by Donncha Gilmore, is an Irish Language, musical romance, funded by the Arts Council: Street artist Duke loves the blind barista Luna, who runs the George’s Street Arcade coffee shop. However, Luna’s mother Paula distrusts Duke, so he must enlist his fellow street artists’ help to win her over.

 

‘Eadrainn Féin’

Directed by Daithí O Cinnéide and written and produced by Mairead Kiernan. A farmer’s life changes when his son begins to question his gender identity.

 

‘Stuama’

Starring Enda Clarke, Fred McCloskey and Joe Greaney, STUAMA follows David, a young man in his early twenties preparing to go prison for the first time. Winner of the Dingle Film Festival Pitching Competition 2012, the film was written and directed by Paul Webster and produced by Eamon de Staic.

 

‘Táimse im’ Chodladh’

Written and Directed by Denis Buckley. Produced by Ciarán Walsh. Starring Marcus Lamb. An Irish author alone in a room picks up faint sounds of a language falling and raising through the long wave frequency of his transistor. Winner of the Físín short film award scheme at the Dingle International Film Festival 2013.

 

‘Sile’

When an adolescent girl’s father becomes romantically involved with another woman, her world is torn asunder. Written by Seamus Moran. Directed by Cathal Ó Cuaig. Produced by Ciarán Ó Cofaigh. Starring Úna Ni Fhlatharta, Beartla Ó Flatharta, Caroline Ni Dhubhchóin and Conal O’Céidigh.

‘An Cat’

In the aftermath of his wife’s funeral Mairtín (Frank Kelly) frustrated and unable to grieve her loss pushes his family away and isolates himself at home. His only wish, to be left in peace, is respected by everyone except his wife’s beloved pet cat.