Five teams have been selected to receive funding under the Short Stories scheme, one of three new short film schemes announced by the IFB in May of this year.
Filmmakers were invited to submit applications engaging with the theme of ‘Tribes’, to create live-action or animated films between 2-5 minutes in length. Selected films will premiere in 2017. Successful applicants the Focus Shorts and Real Shorts schemes are yet to be announced.
‘Deposits’ to be directed by Trevor Courtney, written by Adrienne Michel-Long and produced by Michael Algar, who states that the film “concerns the connection of all the “disappeared”, who are the remains of those murdered by the Provos and those killed centuries earlier by Redcoats. In common they are buried without trace, but are connected by hopes for discovery.”
‘Bellwether’ to be written and directed by Caroline Campbell and produced by Ailish Bracken. Speaking of the film, Campbell says Bellwether is “set in the future-present of worldwide political turmoil, Bellwether tells the story of a measured journey of protest – from the beach to the barricades.”
‘Nice Night for It’ to be written and directed by Rachel Carey and produced by Fiona Kinsella. “Nice Night For It tells the story of Jane, a young woman tormented by insomnia, who finds unexpected comfort in a chance encounter with a fellow insomniac while out walking one night”, says Carey.
‘Neon’ to be written and directed by Rioghnach Ni Ghrioghair and produced by Flaminia Iacoviello. According to Ni Ghrioghair, Neon “…is a break-neck, cyberpunk action sci-fi set in a poisoned world of 2050. The 'Caretakers' are the sacrificial population tasked with carving out a clean passage with neon lights between pockets of surviving civilisation but one capable woman dares to race for her life against all the odds.”
‘A Different Kind of Day’ to be directed and written by Maria Doyle and produced by Kieran Kennedy. Doyle notes the film “features two teenagers who have special needs as the central characters and [the film] aims to challenge lazy, but frequently held perceptions, through humour and compassion.”
Emma Scott, Production and Distribution Manager:
"We were delighted with the response to our new short film scheme. We received over 45 applications and the standard was incredibly high, making the final selection a difficult task. I'm looking forward to seeing these films come to fruition and premiere at the Galway Film Fleadh next year."
