Category Archives: She blogs on…

Featured

Caroline Farrell

VIMEO LINK TO CAROLINE’S FILMS

A ‘Stowe Story Labs’ Launch Fellow 2023, Caroline was also the recipient of a Stowe Story Labs/Screen Ireland Screenwriting Fellowship in 2022. In 2020, she made a short experimental film, HEART(h) themed around the emotions of grief and isolation during lockdown. It screened at the Little Cinema Galway.

In 2018, Caroline wrote and directed the short film FRAMED, selected for screening at over 30 festivals worldwide. It also won ‘Best Short Horror Film’ at the Underground Cinema Film Festival, Ireland. 2019. She has written and co-produced the short films ADAM [2013] and the multi-award winning IN RIBBONS [2015], the only Irish short film to screen at the ‘Women Deliver Global Conference’ in Copenhagen in 2016. 

Caroline is the author of the novel, LADY BETH, ‘Best Novel’ at The Carousel Aware Prize Awards 2017 (Ireland) and the winner of an Eric Hoffer Award 2019 (Mystery/Thriller Category) (USA). Her short stories have been published in The Ogham Stone Literary Journal, Epoque Press Ezine, Entropy Magazine, Woman’s Way Magazine and Revival Literary Journal. 

2C6B37C1-21F4-478D-803A-A129FE03AD10_1_105_c

by

Stowe Story Labs | Screen Ireland Screenwriting Fellowship 2022

Fellowship Laurel

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.

by

BOOMER TRUDY: A Short Story

Delighted to share a short story of mine, recently published by Epoque Press in the 7th Edition of their é-zine, on the theme of ‘Isolation’.

You can read BOOMER TRUDY alongside some other wonderful work, HERE

Feature Image is copyright of Epoque Press. 2020

by

A fantastical weekend for FRAMED!

What an incredible weekend for FRAMED, picking up the ‘Best Short Horror Film’ award from Underground Cinema Film Festival! Very honoured to be in the company of some fantastic filmmakers, and thanks to Dave Byrne and the Underground team for their continuing support of independent filmmakers, in Ireland and abroad.

 

 

AND THIS from Devil’s Night Gallery Film + Art Event!

 

Devil’s Night Gallery is an independent film and art show which takes its name from its two inspirations. The first is “Night Gallery”, a classic, horror anthology television series, hosted by Rod Serling, from the ‘70s. The second is the aggressively independent spirit of the city of Detroit, represented by the ominous “Devil’s Night”. Like the namesake tv series, Devil’s Night Gallery features screenings of short films preceded by an introduction and the reveal of an original piece of art inspired by the film. Film submissions were received from around the world and were narrowed down to 10, from Michigan and beyond, which best represented the experience of the “Night Gallery”. A handful of amazing local artists were selected to create original works of art inspired by those same films. Just look at this incredible work – based on FRAMED – from artist Joyce Swope. Fantastical!!!

by

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 filmmakers 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!

by

Talking Publishing at CelticCon | JuneFest2019

What better way to spend a bank holiday Monday than chatting alongside a panel of talented fellow writers at the CelticCon2019 | JuneFest2019 event, happening in Newbridge Town Hall, County Kildare, this coming Monday, June 3rd from 11:00am – 6:00pm.

There are lots of interesting guests and events throughout the day, and our panel will discuss ‘Our Publishing Journey’ from noon until 1:00pm, but we authors will be there until 6:00pm, so if you have any publishing, writing or filmmaking related questions that you’d like to ask, come and chat to me – I’ll be hanging around the MAGENTA section – Table 5 – see the plan below. 🙂 ↓ 🙂

And I’ll have copies of my novel LADY BETH for sale at a specially reduced price for the CelticCon. Make sure to say hello!

by

Wonderful Things!

Three wonderful things happened this week.

The First Thing! This blog was a finalist in the Irish Blog Awards in two categories: Books & Literature and Arts & Culture, so naturally, I was pretty chuffed to attend the awards night in the TRAMLINE Venue, Dublin. The theme of the night was Dia de los Muertos, hence a great excuse to dress up, and the place was only heaving with positivity and good will, and although I didn’t win, I am delighted for all those who did, particularly those in my categories. I keep this blog going because it gives me pleasure to do so, and I get to share, through The Librarian’s Cellar, my favourite books, films, guest interviews and occasional theatre reviews. Through the general side of the Blog, SHE BLOGS, I can write to my heart’s content all things that relate to my personal passion: writing and filmmaking.  So thank you, Irish Blog Awards – the recognition is much appreciated!

The Second Thing! FRAMED, my directorial debut, is in the official selection of The Directors Circle Festival of Shorts in the horror film category. Supporting bold, visionary filmmakers while advancing the art form of film with remarkable cinematic technologies and experiences. the festival takes place in Erie, Pennsylvania, and is the eleventh film festival that FRAMED has been selected to screen at – so far!! I couldn’t have done it without the help and support of such a generous and talented cast and crew, so here I go, thanking them profusely, once again!

The Third Thing! LADY BETH, and a lovely reminder that it is one year since my book won BEST NOVEL at the Carousel Aware Prize Awards. It’s been a fantastic year (moving way to fast though!) and for this too, I am so grateful to everyone who encouraged me to push it out there, read it, praised it, critiqued it, and helped to spread the word. For all these reasons, I would like to pay it forward and have 10 signed copies of Lady Beth to give away. Simply let me know if you would like one.

I am a firm believer in magic, whether it pays you the occasional visit or you make your own, keep creating. It might even return threefold!

by

Irish Blog Awards 2018: Finalist!

I am over the moon to announce the great news I received today. I am a finalist in the Irish Blog Awards 2018 in 2 categories:

Personal Blog > Arts & Culture
Personal Blog > Books & Literature

My blog has been shortlisted for three years running now, but this is the first time I have been selected as a finalist, so naturally, I’m pretty happy right now! Winners will be announced at the awards ceremony, which takes place on October 25th, and I am loving The Day of The Dead theme! A full list of finalists and all details are now on the Blog Awards Website HERE. Check out the cool logos!

Thanks so much to YOU, my readers who like and share my posts. I really do enjoy blogging on my favourite things, but it wouldn’t be much fun if no-one read them! Congrats too, to all the amazing bloggers on the Long and Short Lists, and especially to those who also made the finals! Fingers crossed and wish us ALL the luck!

by

On Writing: Moonstruck in make-believe… and carrying on regardless.

I was very happy to be invited to write a feature for the fabulous blog, Swirl and Thread.

 

Read it HERE

Many thanks to Mairead Hearne. Check out her wonderful Blog!

 

LADY BETH  (Best Novel 2017 CAP Award) is available from AMAZON, Kennys.ie, O’Mahony’s Bookstores in Ennis, Limerick, Tralee and Alan Hanna’s, Dublin.

by

LADY BETH: SHORTLISTED FOR CAP AWARD 2017

I am delighted to announce that Lady Beth has been shortlisted for a CAP Award 2017 for Best Novel.

The Carousel Aware Prize, launched in 2016,  aims to provide a platform to showcase the cream of Irish Independent Authors, bringing them to the attention of book shops, distributors and the media in Ireland and abroad. All money raised goes to AWARE, a charitable organisation that  undertakes to create a society where people affected by stress, depression, bipolar and mood disorders are understood, supported, free from stigma, and are encouraged to access appropriate therapies. Learn more on AWARE at aware.ie

 

LADY BETH is available from Kenny’s Bookshop, Galway. O’Mahony’s Book Stores in Limerick, Ennis and Tralee. Alan Hanna’s Bookshop, Dublin, and all Amazon Stores.

Caroline E. Farrell is a writer and filmmaker from Dublin, Ireland. Also an award-winning screenwriter, Caroline has had two of her short films produced, ADAM (2013) and the multi-award winning IN RIBBONS (2015). She is the author of the novels, LADY BETH and ARKYNE, STORY OF A VAMPIRE and is currently working on her third novel.