The Irish Film Board has announced the five films it has selected that have been shortlisted as part of their fourth annual Signatures Shorts funding scheme. These are Calico Pictures’ ‘Two Hearts’; Fastnet Films’ ‘Mikayla W.M.D’; Lovely Productions’ ‘Foxes’; Red Rage Productions’ ‘The Hatch’ and ‘Cluck’ from Michael Lavelle and Rory Dungan.
Signatures is the Irish FilmBoard’s flagship scheme for the making of short live-action fiction films that act as a proving-ground for Irish creative talents. It looks to act as an opportunity for producers, directors and writers to work in a professional environment that will allow them to further their experience.
Following a competitive selection process over the last few months, five teams of filmmakers have been awarded funding for their project. These include ‘Two Hearts’ which is to be written by Colin Thornton, directed by Darren Thornton (Love is the Drug) and produced by Colette Farrell (Frankie) for Calipo Pictures.
The second short, ‘Mikayla W.M.D.’ is to be written and directed by Ciaran Foy (Citadel) and produced by IFTA nominee, Macdara Kelleher (The Runway) for Fastnet Films. Also chosen was ‘Foxes’ which is to be written by Garret Shanley (Left Back), directed by Lorcan Finnegan (Changes) and produced by Brunella Cocchiglia (actress, The Tree of Wooden Clogs) for Lovely Productions and ‘The Hatch’ which will be written and directed by Mike Ahern and Enda Loughman and produced by Gary Moore for Red Rage Productions.
The final chosen short, ‘Cluck’ is to be written and directed by Sundance cinematography award winner, Michael Lavelle (His & Hers) and produced by Rory Dungan (If I Should Fall Behind).
Previous shorts to have been produced as a result of funding from the Signature Shorts programme have included Hugh O’Connor’s ‘Corduroy’; Michael Peter McDonald's IFTA nominated ‘Pentecost’; Brian O'Malley's, ‘Crossing Salween’; Nick Kelly's Oscar shortlisted ‘Shoe’ and Oonagh Kearney's The Christening’.
