Short Encounters - short films for St Brigid’s Day 2023
Available on Irish Film From Home throughout February, with an exclusive recorded talk from the filmmakers
Irish Film London is delighted to bring you six of the best new short films by Irish women filmmakers in this specially curated programme for St Brigid’s Day 2023. This year’s selection comes from some of the best films we’ve had the pleasure of screening over the last year, including a few from Irish Film Festival London 2022.
This programme is available via our on-demand service Irish Film From Home throughout the month of February and includes an exclusive recording made with the creative teams behind each film, adding context and insight into their filmmaking process, and discussinf what St Brigid’s Day means to them.
Films in this programme include:
Above the Law (2019) Dir. Bryony Dunne
Above the Law links the routes of migratory birds with the journeys of people who traverse the same bodies of land and water. The film features a literal bird’s-eye view as eagles, carrying cameras on their backs, become instruments of surveillance, capturing nature, both human and nonhuman.
An Encounter (2021) Dir. Kelly Campbell
Two reluctant companions, schoolmates on the mitch, roam through Dublin along the Royal Canal. An encounter with a stranger leaves one boy changed utterly. Freely adapted from the James Joyce Dubliners short story and scripted by Mark O'Halloran, An Encounter won Best Short Film at Irish Film Festival London Awards 2022.
Baths (2022) Dir. Nell Hensey
An intimate anthology short from Irish-Filipino filmmaker, Nell Hensey, with each chapter thematically centred on someone taking a bath at a turning point in their life.
Ready? (2022) Dir. Emma Wall
Grace needs help with an audition, but the only person available is her Man Utd loving dad, John. Tensions arise when a combination of John’s well-intentioned but misguided efforts and some triggering material rake over some partially healed wounds for Grace. A touching dramedy from the awardwinning all-female team at Alfonso Films, written by and co-starring IFL’s own Niamh Branigan.
Wednesday's Child (2022) Dir. Laura O’Shea
Marie faces her first day on the job as a social care worker. Despite her optimism, a house call to a family in crisis quickly brings her down to reality. The latest film from Oscar & BAFTA qualifying director, Laura O'Shea, won Best Short Drama at Galway Film Fleadh 2022.
Someday Sadie (2021) Dir. Kate Gilmore
In 1960's Dublin, a young working class singer falls pregnant at an inopportune time changing the course of her life. Based on a true story and filmed in the Gaiety Theatre during lockdown, the setting lends itself well to this tale of a young woman with dreams of being a musical entertainer.