Northern Ireland Screen has announced the films and film-makers selected for the 2010 Digital Shorts Programme. The chosen projects include ‘A Cross to Bear’; ‘Of the Sea’; ‘Ring Theory’ and ‘Hardy Hands’.
Written and directed by Ryan Tohill (director, Paint) ‘A Cross to Bear’ sees Anthony return to his childhood home after an absence of thirteen years and the death of his abusive father. It quickly becomes apparent that Anthony clashes with his brother Paul, a devout young priest and old wounds rapidly resurface.
‘Hardy Hands’ is written and directed by Chris Baugh (Messages for Maria) and tells the tale of Paul who returns to his hometown for a short stay where he has a chance encounter with some old friends in the local pub. Hoping for a nostalgia filled evening he instead finds that old tensions can sometimes reveal themselves in the most unexpected and startling ways.
‘Of the Sea’ is written and directed by Paul Hamilton in his debut as a Digital Short Film writer and director. The film details the days leading up to the disappearance of an old couple, whose car is found abandoned on the Irish coast, the keys still in the ignition.
Joe Campo (sound, Splinter) writes and directs ‘Ring Theory’. The film examines Annie, a depressed science teacher who believes life is meaningless, and human emotions nothing more than chemical stimuli created by our brains in order for us to function and reproduce. Her lack of passion has caused her teaching to suffer, and her only solace is the fantasy world that she imagines herself within, for amusement.
All four films will be produced by Villi Ragnarsson (Börn náttúrunnar) of RedRay Films throughout the coming summer. Northern Ireland Screen and The UK Film Council’s Digital Shorts scheme is a year long programme which aims to seek out and develop new filmmaking talent and enable them to make innovative short films using digital technology.
