SHE MADE THIS Irish Shorts Programme
A selection of short films originated by Irish women, as part of the Brigid’s Day Film Festival. Scroll down for more info on the wider festival.
The Bird & the Whale
Dir. Carol Freeman | 7 mins
The Bird and the Whale is a story about a young whale struggling to find his voice. After straying too far from his family to explore a shipwreck, he discovers its sole survivor, a caged songbird. Together they struggle to survive lost at sea. The Bird & the Whale was created using a near obsolete form of animation – paint-on-glass. It was created in Dublin, Ireland by a small majority female team. In June 2018, Carol was awarded a Silver Screen award at the Young Director Awards at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity.
The Bird and the Whale is also screening in our Parent and Baby screenings at Olympic and Castle Cinemas, and at the KINO Kids screening at Regent street Cinema.
Sadhbh
Dir: Arjun Rose | Starring: Laura Whitmore, Leyon Stolz-Hunter, Pearl Jarrett | 13mins
Young mother Claire struggles to keep her life together while attempting to present a mask of strength against the judgement of the outside world. But she hides a heart-breaking secret.
Jill and Giles
Dir. Alison Byrne | Featuring Jill and Giles | 13 mins
‘Jill and Giles’ is a short human interest portrait documentary based on an English couple who have spent 20 years living and working on a boat with half of that time being spent on the River Shannon in Ireland. This documentary focuses on Jill and Giles’ initial decision to live on the boat, their work and hobbies. It explores the themes of unconventionality, freedom and belonging.
The Girl at the End of the Garden
Dir: Bonnie Dempsey | Starring: Ruby Dunne, Thethe Kadazi, Eva Bartley | 14 mins
A slapstick comedy about a frustrated young girl whose life is turned upside-down when she finds a mysterious runaway with psychic powers in her back garden.
Starry Night
Dir. Emma Smith | Starring Hazel Clifford Ciara Ivie, Hannah Smullen | 14mins
With her future hanging in the balance, Cara has a choice to make – abandon her sisters, and pursue her dream in London? Or sacrifice herself, so that one day they too might stand a chance?
This film was led by a team of women both on screen and off, with almost all of the roles – in all departments – filled by young women at the start of their careers.
Who’s The Daddy?
Dir. Mary-Sue Masson | Starring: Kellie Shirley, Cavan Clerkin, Jake Maskall | 13.3| mins
Who’s the Daddy? is a character driven comedy-drama about the ups and down of motherhood. Rachel, (Kellie Shirley) has a rude introduction to Emma, (Olivia Lee) while in play-ground purgatory. Things soon get much more interesting. It turns out these two mums have far more in common than either of them could have possibly imagined…
Match
Dir: Laura O’ Shea & Tony Doyle | Starring Laura O’ Shea, Tony Doyle, Emma Jane Purcell | 12mins
Two strangers ‘match’ online and meet for a casual ride - of a Monday, no less. What they both expected is quickly turned on its head, as they both face their separate issues together over the course of one night.
The Brigid’s Day Festival / Lá Fhéile Bríde, originated from the Irish Embassy in London, is an annual celebration of Irish Women, which now takes place across the world at various Irish embassies, consulates and other Irish venues. Irish Film London are a partner in the London festival, alongside the Irish Embassy, the Irish Cultural Centre Hammersmith and the Camden London Irish Centre.
For our part in the 2020 festival we centre our focus on a cinematic celebration of women.
See our other events in the festival here:
Mother and Baby Screenings (info coming soon)
London Premiere: A Girl from Mogadishu