December 8, 2022 by carolinefarrell/author and screenwriter

Honoured to be awarded The Stowe Story Labs / Galway Film Fleadh Marketplace Fellow 2023

I want to share massive appreciation to Stowe Story Labs, Screen Ireland and the Galway Film Fleadh for awarding me the ‘Stowe Story Labs/Galway Film Fleadh Marketplace Fellow 2023’, and also huge respect to the talented screenwriters, producers, speakers and supportive mentors I had the opportunity to work with and be inspired by during the inaugural Connemara Writers Retreat 2022. I’m excited to be awarded this amazing opportunity and to be moving forward with my feature screenplay, IONA’S HOUSE.

https://stowestorylabs.org/news-1/caroline-farrell-stowe-galway-film-market-fellow

I would encourage more Irish screenwriters to apply for the many wonderful opportunities that Stowe Story Labs currently offer. Through their partnerships with Screen Ireland, Northern Ireland Screen and the Galway Film Fleadh, they provide support and encouragement to progress your work through a highly professional and personable process, not to mention the nurturing atmosphere of Renvyle House!Honour

October 17, 2022 by carolinefarrell/author and screenwriter

Stowe Story Labs | Screen Ireland Screenwriting Fellowship 2022

I am absolutely delighted to be a recipient of a Stowe Story Lab | Screen Ireland Screenwriting Fellowship, attending the Connemara Writer’s Retreat at Renvyle House. Five full days of mentoring, peer-to-peer feedback, access to informative panels with industry professionals, writing exercises and an unquantifiable amount of inspiration, encouragement and constructive feedback. Grateful and inspired to move forward with my work. Thanks also to the Galway Film Fleadh and Northern Ireland Screen for their support of the Lab.

October 14, 2019 by carolinefarrell/author and screenwriter

It was indeed a Fright-Ful Friday at Leap Castle

It was a joy to curate the Short Horror Film Programme for Fright-Ful Friday at Leap Castle, an annual event run by the Offline Film Festival in County Offaly. This sold out evening of all things spooky and fantastical took our large group, by bus, from outside the very hospitable Ormond Clubhouse, Emmet Square, Birr, and onward to Giltrap’s Pub in Kinnitty for prosecco and finger food. Then back on the bus for a moonlit journey to Leap Castle for the screening of the short horror films — well received by a lovely, enthusiastic audience.

Horror has very different meanings for fans of the genre – from gothic to grotesque, psychological, visceral and even humour. For this programme, I attempted to include a variety of those emotive experiences, and am also proud to say that all the films are from talented men and women currently working in Irish film. There were 7 films in total.

The Wake

Written and directed by Rik Gordon. Rik has also written and directed Pigman and most recently, Pure Gold, doing well on the festival circuit.

Chimes

Written and directed by Jannine Benkhardt. Jannine was also assistant director on The Switch, a short film currently screening at festivals.

Under Growth

Written and directed by Evin O’Neill. Evin has also written and directed the short films, Digs for Pennies, Spooks, A Dry Christmas and Invisible.

Inexorable

Written and directed by Zoe Kavanagh. Zoe also directs music videos and is the writer and director of the short film Tides, and the award-winning feature, Demon Hunter.

Mother Father Monster

Written and directed by Sean Breathnach, and funded by Offaly County Council Arts Office and filmed in Charleville Castle. Sean has directed several short films and his debut feature film “Beyond the Woods” was released to critical acclaim.

The Trap

Written and directed by Helen Flanagan. Helen has directed short films including Away with the Fairies and The Drive. She also writes performance pieces and facilitate creative workshops with, as she says herself, a suspiciously witchy vibe.

How Olin Lost His Eye

Written and directed by Damian McCarthy. Damian has directed several short horror films and is currently in post on his first feature, also a horror.

To round off the evening, the owner of this haunting and magical place, Sean Ryan, regaled us with tunes and stories of the spirits that roam the castle corridors. Then, back on the bus to The Chestnut Bar for great chats, and even a complimentary drink! What more could you possible ask for. Frightful and Delightful!

October 3, 2019 by carolinefarrell/author and screenwriter

FRAMED: Screening Updates

October / November is gearing up to be a wonderfully spooky time for my short film FRAMED, still making it’s way on the film festival journey. So far, FRAMED has been officially selected to screen at 22 festivals in Ireland, UK, USA, Japan and Canada!

Here are the latest dates, with more news to follow! As always, I am thrilled for our excellent cast and crew!

Halloweenapalooza: Iowa. USA October 11th

Ottawa Spookshow and Fantastic Film Festival: Ottawa, Canada. October 20th

Halloween Horror Picture Show: Tampa, Florida October 27th

Devil’s Night Gallery Film and Art Event: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. USA November 1st

FRAMED is also nominated for Best Short Horror Film at The Underground Cinema Awards: Dublin. November 2nd

May 30, 2019 by carolinefarrell/author and screenwriter

Irish Language Short Film Programme November 2018- May 2019 Season

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.

November 28, 2018 by carolinefarrell/author and screenwriter

Crediting the Writers of 10 of My Favourite Movies.

Just for fun, I recently listed 10 movies that had an impact on me, posting just one image per film on social media, with no explanations. Of course there are many, many more films that I could have chosen, but these ones came instinctively at this time and so they made this particular top ten list.

Using the hashtag #creditwriters, there is currently an important campaign to credit the writers of films, who are very often omitted from not just film posters and advertising, but also from film festival, award, review and media coverage.

Hence this post. So here are the films I listed, with all due credit to the amazing writers who conjured these incredible stories. Without them, we would not have such extraordinary movies to watch, which in my case means several times over!

THE BABADOOK

Written and Directed by Jennifer Kent.

THE OTHERS

Written and Directed by Alejandro Amenábar

THE APARTMENT

Written by Billy Wilder and I.A.L. Diamond

THE INNOCENTS

Based on The Turn of The Screw by Henry James.

Screenplay by William Archibold, Truman Capote and John Mortimer

THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER

Based on the novel by Davis Grubb

Screenplay written by James Agee

THE SIXTH SENSE

Written and Directed by M. Night. Shyamalan

WHATEVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE

Based on the novel by Henry Farrell. Screenplay by Lukas Heller

PAN’S LABYRINTH

Written and Directed by Guillermo Del Toro

SUNSET BOULEVARD

Written by Charles Brackett, S.M. Marshman and Billy Wilder

ANGEL HEART

Based on the novel by William Hjortsberg. Screenplay by Alan Parker

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About Caroline: Writer and Director of FRAMED (2018). Author of the novel, LADY BETH (2017), winner of the Carousel Aware Prize. Writer of the short films ADAM (2013) and the award-winning IN RIBBONS (2015).

July 20, 2018 by carolinefarrell/author and screenwriter

On Film: FRAMED begins the festival journey…

I am delighted to announce that FRAMED has been selected to screen at two wonderful film festivals. The 9th Underground Cinema Film Festival and Spook Screen, both happening this September.

Dates and screening times to follow. Although I have written and produced short films, this is my directorial debut, so I am very excited that it will soon be seen on the big screen!

FRAMED tells a spooky tale about a gothic artist, Joe, who’s fantasy is to paint his beautiful wife into one of his rather grotesque works of art. Happenstance will give him his wish – though not in the way that he could ever have expected – when Cathy arranges for his debut exhibition of paintings to be held in a creepy old house… you can check out FRAMED Facebook Page HERE

May 21, 2018 by carolinefarrell/author and screenwriter

The Haunted and Fantastical: Short Film Programme 2017-2018 Season

The Maynooth Film for All Club season finished this month and will resume in October 2018. I was delighted to be invited to present another programme of short films for the season, and had great fun devising a theme and selecting some wonderful films. As always, the standard of submitted productions was very high, but unfortunately, I could only include seven films in the final programme. The theme I chose this time around was ‘The Haunted and Fantastical’ with an aim to screen films that were chilling and unusual and would most likely leave a lasting impression! With a mix of horror, fantasy and even some comedy, we received great feedback from the MFFA audiences, so here is the full selection and congrats to all the filmmakers on the amazing work.

THE CLOCKMAKER’S DREAM
A live action fantasy/art-house short, written/directed by Cashell Horgan (Paddy), starring Joe Mullins (Pilgrim Hill), and narrated by Jared Harris (Fringe, Mad Man, Sherlock Holmes, Lincoln, etc.)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4837506
http://www.facebook.com/theclockmakersdream

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STRANGERS IN THE NIGHT

Horror Comedy written by Gavin Keane, Directed by Conor McMahon and starring Niamh Algar, Michael Hough, Nora Relihan

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4515108/

https://www.facebook.com/StrangersintheNightShortFilm

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TH3 ROOM

When Jean clicks on an email link, it seems to be just a static shot of an empty room but on closer inspection all is not what it appears to be.

Written and Directed by Sean Breathnach

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1855371/

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THE NYMPH

A short fantasy written and directed by Damian Draven, starring Martin Galligan and Anna Ilaya Ozolina

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4536860/

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THE PIGMAN

An outcast creature pines to be accepted by his local village. One night, outside his mountainous home, an opportunity arises. Written and Directed by Rik Gordon, starring Robert Render, Kathleen Bridget Murphy, Robbie Beggs and Jay Dee

https://www.facebook.com/thepigmanfilm

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SANDBOY

A tale of loss and redemption. Written and Directed by Vittoria Colonna, starring Wallis Murphy- Gunn.

https://www.facebook.com/Sandboythemovie

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LOST BOY

A story about the imagination of children, and the unbreakable bond between brothers.

Written and Directed by John Christopher

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Caroline is writer and director of FRAMED (2018) and has also written and co-produced IN RIBBONS (2015) and ADAM (2013). She is the author of the award-winning novel, LADY BETH.

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April 24, 2018 by carolinefarrell/author and screenwriter

FRAMED: The Trailer is up!

I am delighted to release the trailer of my directorial debut. Big hugs of gratitude to all who collaborated with me to make this happen. To find out more about the cast and crew, please visit our Facebook page at the link below…

FRAMED, a Short Film

More news coming soon!

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I am also the author of the novels LADY BETH which won the award for BEST NOVEL at the Carousel Aware Prize and ARKYNE, STORY OF A VAMPIRE, I have also written several feature-length and short screenplays including ADAM [2013] and the multi-award winner, IN RIBBONS [2015].

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May 11, 2017 by carolinefarrell/author and screenwriter

Animation in Irish Short Film: Maynooth Film for All Short Film Programme 2016 – 2017

I was once again delighted to be asked to curate another short film programme for Maynooth Film for All [MFFA], a joint partnership between Kildare Library & Arts Service and the Department of Media Studies in Maynooth University. The film club is also affiliated with access>CINEMA.

Hosted by the University and generally held in the IONTAS Building on the first Wednesday of every month, the short film programme ran from October 2016 to May 2017. Each of the films I selected screened before the main feature. All were very well received and attendance figures were consistently good.

I decided to theme the programme around Animation in Irish Short Film, to further showcase some of the fantastic Irish talent that is out there, but also to take an opportunity to screen a wide variety of different themes and styles of filmmaking. Unfortunately, I couldn’t screen every film I viewed, which is a pity, but here are some of the best!

LOVE IS A STING

Struggling children’s book writer Harold Finch gains an unexpected house guest in the form of an ageing, hyper-intelligent mosquito named Anabel.

Written by Benjamin Cleary and directed by Vincent Gallagher.

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ANYA

ANYA is a five-minute animated film, charting twenty years in the life of a Russian orphan. It is a unique initiative with To Russia With Love to help raise funds for the charity.

Written and directed by Damien O’Connor

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Morgan M. Morgensen’s Date with Destiny

Morgan M. Morgensen nervously survives his first date with the love of his life, Destiny.

Written by Sarah Daly. Directed by Joseph Gordon-Levitt

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THE DUEL

Inspired by Terry Pratchett’s Discworld, the film was created and directed by Giant Animation as part of the Animation Hub, a work experience programme set up for students to work on live projects.

Directed by Alex Sherwood, Ben Harper and Sean Mullen

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DEADLY

The story of Boney, a working stiff who doesn’t care about his dead-end job. That is until, he has a run-in with a spirited old lady named Bridie…

Written and Directed by Aidan McAteer

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SECOND TO NONE

Frederick Butterfield has been second place his entire long life, but when his slightly older twin brother becomes the oldest person alive, Frederick sees an opportunity to finally take first place. ‘Second To None’ follows Frederick’s attempts to make it to number one.

Written and Directed by Vincent Gallagher

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CITY OF ROSES

One Halloween night a smouldering suitcase was pulled off a bonfire in Dublin and thus was saved a true story of love, loss and hope.

Written and Directed by Andrew Kavanagh

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My thanks to all of the featured filmmakers. Astoundingly talented, all of them! Also, big thanks to the enthusiastic audiences who came along to the screenings, and to Brenda Brady and Denis Condon for the continued facilitation of Maynooth Film For All.