Film Ireland Podcast

Film Ireland

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Film Ireland Presents: Steven McKenna, Writer & Director and Jaro Waldeck DOP of ‘Dreamtown’

Film Ireland Presents: Steven McKenna, Writer & Director and Jaro Waldeck DOP of ‘Dreamtown’

In this podcast in partnership with the Galway Film Fleadh, Gemma Creagh talks to Steven McKenna, Writer & Director and Jaro Waldeck DOP of Dreamtown, which is screening at this year's festival (9-14 July 2024). An aging rocker who never realised his dreams is forced to come to terms with his failures as he tries to start a relationship with his estranged son. A coming of age drama in the mind of a 56 year old. Dreamtown screens at Galway Film Fleadh 2024 on Saturday 13th July at 2pm. https://www.galwayfilmfleadh.com Steven McKenna Steven McKenna is an award-winning filmmaker based in Dublin, Ireland. Since graduating from college, he has been crafting his own films, earning numerous accolades at festivals nationwide. His debut feature film, Dreamtown, which he wrote, produced, and directed, will premiere at the prestigious 36th Galway Film Festival. His recent short films, Rum & Raisin and The Work Party, have won him Best Irish Short and Best Comedy awards, respectively, while his other works have garnered multiple nominations. Another short film, Lover Boy, became an online sensation, amassing over a million views. Steven's passion for film shines through in his creation of compelling, larger-than-life characters whose tragic stories resonate deeply with audiences and leave a lasting impression. An avid movie collector, he brings a rich understanding of cinema to his work. In addition to writing and directing, Steven has composed music for all his films and has been sought after for other projects. Notably, he composed the entire score for the indie feature Follow The Dead. Jaro Waldeck Jaro earned her Bachelors and Masters degrees in Cinematography from Columbia College Chicago and Film and TV Academy of Performing Arts Prague (FAMU), respectively. Her main body of work consists of low budget short live-action films as well as music videos and longer form documentaries. In 2023, Jaro transitioned into features, having worked on the Screen Ireland funded documentary Housewife of the Year and independent drama Dreamtown. Listen to our former chat with Jaro here: https://filmireland.net/2019/07/01/jaro-waldeck-cinematographer/

Episodes

Film Ireland Presents: Steven McKenna, Writer & Director and Jaro Waldeck DOP of ‘Dreamtown’

Film Ireland Presents: Steven McKenna, Writer & Director and Jaro Waldeck DOP of ‘Dreamtown’

In this podcast in partnership with the Galway Film Fleadh, Gemma Creagh talks to Steven McKenna, Writer & Director and Jaro Waldeck DOP of Dreamtown, which is screening at this year's festival (9-14 July 2024). An aging rocker who never realised his dreams is forced to come to terms with his failures as he tries to start a relationship with his estranged son. A coming of age drama in the mind of a 56 year old. Dreamtown screens at Galway Film Fleadh 2024 on Saturday 13th July at 2pm. https://www.galwayfilmfleadh.com Steven McKenna Steven McKenna is an award-winning filmmaker based in Dublin, Ireland. Since graduating from college, he has been crafting his own films, earning numerous accolades at festivals nationwide. His debut feature film, Dreamtown, which he wrote, produced, and directed, will premiere at the prestigious 36th Galway Film Festival. His recent short films, Rum & Raisin and The Work Party, have won him Best Irish Short and Best Comedy awards, respectively, while his other works have garnered multiple nominations. Another short film, Lover Boy, became an online sensation, amassing over a million views. Steven's passion for film shines through in his creation of compelling, larger-than-life characters whose tragic stories resonate deeply with audiences and leave a lasting impression. An avid movie collector, he brings a rich understanding of cinema to his work. In addition to writing and directing, Steven has composed music for all his films and has been sought after for other projects. Notably, he composed the entire score for the indie feature Follow The Dead. Jaro Waldeck Jaro earned her Bachelors and Masters degrees in Cinematography from Columbia College Chicago and Film and TV Academy of Performing Arts Prague (FAMU), respectively. Her main body of work consists of low budget short live-action films as well as music videos and longer form documentaries. In 2023, Jaro transitioned into features, having worked on the Screen Ireland funded documentary Housewife of the Year and independent drama Dreamtown. Listen to our former chat with Jaro here: https://filmireland.net/2019/07/01/jaro-waldeck-cinematographer/

Screen Sessions: Mark O’Halloran & Katie McNeice on Writing

Screen Sessions: Mark O’Halloran & Katie McNeice on Writing

In partnership with Screen Ireland, we are delighted to launch our inaugural Screen Sessions - a series of in-depth conversations on craft between emerging and established talent from the Irish Screen industries. Our first podcast of the series will tackle the art of writing for the screen. It's been 20 years since the iconic Adam and Paul took the nation by storm and redefined Irish cinema for the next generation. Join actor and writer Mark O'Halloran in conversation with writer/filmmaker Katie McNeice as they delve into their creative journeys as well as the twists and turns they faced along the way. This discussion has been made possible with the support of Screen Ireland. The next Screen Sessions podcast will be available in July and the series will culminate in a live event later this year. Subscribe to our newsletter here and never miss another event: https://filmireland.net/newsletter/

Film Ireland Presents: Marian Quinn, Writer/Director of ‘Twig’

Film Ireland Presents: Marian Quinn, Writer/Director of ‘Twig’

In this podcast, Gemma Creagh talks to Marian Quinn, Writer/Director of Twig. Twig, a powerful retelling of the Greek tragedy Antigone, is set in Dublin’s inner city where an ancient city wall cordons off a neighbourhood which is rife with drugs. When the local crime lord, Leon (O’Byrne) vows to let her brother Paulie’s body rot in the street, Twig (Malone), young and iron-willed, defiantly sets out to do the right thing. The tragedy which unfolds inexorably, pits the two figures against each other, building relentlessly as grief, love, hope and despair collide in a dramatic conclusion against the backdrop of Dublin’s docklands. Written and directed by Marian Quinn, Twig stars Sade Malone (Tin Star, Pistol) opposite BAFTA-winning, Tony Award-winning and Emmy nominated Brían F. O’Byrne (Little Boy Blue, Million Dollar Baby). Quinn previously wrote and directed the coming-of-age feature 32A which won the Best First Feature Award at the Galway Film Fleadh. Produced by Ruth Carter for Blue Ink Films (Lies We Tell, Damo & Ivor – The Movie) and Tommy Weir for Janey Pictures (32A), Twig is funded by Fís Éireann / Screen Ireland, Coimisiún na Meán, RTÉ and Wildcard Distribution. In cinemas from 21st June 2024. https://filmireland.net/

Film Ireland Presents: Virpi Suutari, Director of ‘Once Upon A Time In A Forest’

Film Ireland Presents: Virpi Suutari, Director of ‘Once Upon A Time In A Forest’

In this podcast, Gemma Creagh talks to Virpi Suutari, Director of Once Upon A Time In A Forest, which is screening at Docs Ireland (18 – 23 June 2024). A modern fairy tale in the enchanting embrace of the Finnish forest makes its Irish premiere. We witness young people seamlessly woven into the fabric of nature, swimming in crystalline lakes and revelling in the calm presence of the ancient trees. This idyllic harmony is imperilled as the forest faces man-made extinction. Driven by her love for the forest, 22-year-old Ida becomes the leader of the new Forest Movement, coming face to face with Finnish forest industry giants and confronting generational bias. Breathtaking visuals take viewers into the heart of the forest and the centre of the conflict. The film is a hopeful ode to nature and its protectors. A film both peaceful and inspiring, it successfully evokes the complex feelings that are very common in a generation that is living with the heavy consequences of it’s ancestor’s actions. Once Upon A Time In A Forest screens as part of the Maysles Brothers observational documentary competition on 20th June 2024 at Docs Ireland. Tickets https://queensfilmtheatre.com/Whats-On/Once-Upon-a-Time-in-a-Forest See the full programme https://docsireland.ie/programme/whats-on/ https://filmireland.net/

Film Ireland Presents: Yousef Srouji, Director of 'Three Promises'

Film Ireland Presents: Yousef Srouji, Director of 'Three Promises'

In this podcast, Gemma Creagh talks to Yousef Srouji about his film Three Promises, which is screening at Docs Ireland (18 - 23 June 2024). While the Israeli army retaliates against the second intifada in the West Bank in the early 2000s, a mother films her family’s daily life, punctuated by time spent sheltering in the basement. Her son revisits this past, delivering a heart-breaking film that conveys the anguish of children and their parents who are forced to choose between safety and emotional upheaval. The devastating and intimate film revolves around three critical moments when Suha negotiates her family’s safety with God amid the abandonment of dear friends, her son’s fleeting childhood, her daughter’s mistrust, and directly facing her own mortality. Three Promises screens as part of a double bill alongside Between Two Crossings on 19th June 2024 at Docs Ireland. Tickets https://docsireland.ie/programme/whats-on/ https://filmireland.net/ Subscribe to the Film Ireland podcast on your favourite platform at. https://linktr.ee/filmireland

Film Ireland Presents: Eleanor McSherry, UCC Programme Coordinator of Autism Studies

Film Ireland Presents: Eleanor McSherry, UCC Programme Coordinator of Autism Studies

In this podcast, Gemma Creagh talks to Eleanor McSherry, a highly qualified Programme Coordinator/designer, researcher and lecturer with UCC (ACE). She lectures and gives workshops, in the areas of neurodiversity in the screen industry, autism studies, disability studies, mental health, film scriptwriting, creative writing, film and media. She is currently doing her PhD with in Maynooth University’s Media Department. Check out the available courses here: Diploma in Autism Studies: https://www.ucc.ie/en/ace-daus/ Cert in Continuing Professional Development in Advocacy: https://www.ucc.ie/en/ace-ccpdad/ Cert in Continuing Professional Development in Neurodiversity for the Screen Industry: https://www.ucc.ie/en/ace-ccpdns/ Cert in Continuing Professional Development in Neurodiversity in the Arts and Creative Industries: Sept 2024 Cert in Continuing Professional Development in Wellbeing Coordination (for the Arts and Creative Industries): Sept 2024 Cert in Continuing Professional Development in Neurodiversity in the Workplace: Sept 2024 https://filmireland.net/

The DocArena Podcast S2 Ep06: Colm Quinn (Ransom ’79)

The DocArena Podcast S2 Ep06: Colm Quinn (Ransom ’79)

In this episode of The DocArena Podcast, Ross Whitaker talks to Colm Quinn about his documentary Ransom ’79, Ransom ’79 tells the story of legendary Irish reporter Charlie Bird and his determination to break one final story before his life is cut short by Motor Neurone Disease. Charlie’s sources have given him an extraordinary true crime story, one that had remained secret for decades – the attempt by a criminal gang to extort millions from the Irish government. The disease has already taken Charlie’s voice. But clever use of technology means he can still do interviews – using a voice app on his ipad – and, even as his strength falters, he keeps chasing the story. Ransom ’79 charts Charlie’s investigation and reconstructs a scarcely-believable sequence of events that led from farce to tragedy, in a very different Ireland. But beneath it all, the film is an exploration of how one man confronting his own mortality can find respite in doing the thing he loves, even in the most terrible of circumstances. Ransom ’79 is directed by Colm Quinn and is produced by John Kelleher and David Power with backing from Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland, Coimisiún na Meán, Virgin Media, Derrin Group and S481. In cinemas 24th May 2024. https://filmireland.net/ Welcome to The DocArena Podcast in association with Film Ireland. My name is Ross Whitaker and every fortnight, I want to dig deeply into the motivations of documentary filmmakers – how do they choose their subject material and what approaches and strategies do they employ to fund, craft and distribute their work…

Film Ireland Presents: Gary Lennon, Director of Piano Dreams

Film Ireland Presents: Gary Lennon, Director of Piano Dreams

Delving into this story with families at the core, in this Film Ireland podcast, Gemma Creagh talks to Gary Lennon, Director of Piano Dreams. There are currently 40 million piano students in China. With many practising up to ten hours a day, pianomania has truly gripped the nation. We follow three young hopefuls and their dedicated families as they chase their dreams in the ultra-competitive world of piano education. This is both an intimate portrait of remarkably talented young musicians and a glimpse into the lives of the new Chinese middle class: their aspirations, their sacrifices and their sheer drive to succeed. In cinemas 24th May 2024. https://filmireland.net/

Film Ireland Presents: Laura McGann, Writer/Director of The Deepest Breath

Film Ireland Presents: Laura McGann, Writer/Director of The Deepest Breath

Congratulations to Laura McGann and the team who worked on The Deepest Breath on their Emmy win! In this Film Ireland podcast, listen back as Gemma Creagh talks to Laura McGann about her powerful film. The Deepest Breath follows champion freediver Alessia Zecchini, who fell in love with the sport as a child growing up in Italy, astounding coaches with her raw talent and determination in pool swims and open water contests before she was even old enough to legally compete. Irish adventurer turned expert safety diver Stephen Keenan, meanwhile, was raised near the sea, but as a young man he set out on a quest to find himself, traveling across Africa before landing in Dahab, Egypt and establishing a dive school. Despite their very different paths, the two would meet at the pinnacle of the competitive freediving world, discovering a shared passion for pushing their limits and forming a powerful relationship that felt like fate. From Irish director Laura McGann, this thrilling documentary takes a look inside one of the most dangerous sports in the world, using everything from raw underwater dive footage to childhood home movies to chronicle Zecchini and Keenan’s lives and careers. The bond between them propels the film’s emotional journey into the stunning, silent depths of the ocean, a breathtaking place unseen by all but the fortunate few – where exhilarating accomplishments and unavoidable risks await. The Deepest Breath is in cinemas from 14th July 2023 and is available to stream on Netflix now.

Film Ireland Presents: Tanya Doyle, Director of Eat / Sleep / Cheer / Repeat

Film Ireland Presents: Tanya Doyle, Director of Eat / Sleep / Cheer / Repeat

In this podcast, Gemma Creagh talks to Tanya Doyle, Director of 'Eat / Sleep / Cheer / Repeat'. Subscribe to the Film Ireland podcast on your favourite platform at https://linktr.ee/filmireland Team captain, glamour queen Jessica; star athlete, Covid anti-vaxer Jayleesa; dyslexic, athletic Blathnaid; out-n-proud, fun-loving Dean; freedom-seeking Taylor; and lost boy Rickie are each searching for their place in the world through the sport they love. As their anxiety-crippled coach, Hilton, battles to keep the team on track through a season of ill-discipline and injuries, we follow our underdog athletes’ journey to the World Championships in America. This surprising and uplifting coming-of-age movie follows the young female…and male athletes of Team Ireland to intimately explore questions of gender, strength, performance, sexuality and what it’s like growing up in the world today. Can Team Ireland reach their goal of top ten in the world, and can cheerleading give these athletes a space to find themselves? From award-winning director Tanya Doyle (The House) with music by Stephen Rennicks & Hugh Drumm (Room, The Quiet Girl), Eat / Sleep / Cheer / Repeat is a feel-good documentary exploring the worlds of the young misfits finding a place where they belong. Battling self-doubt while figuring out their place in the world, this is a story of athletes who don’t just want to stand out. They want to fit in. Eat/Sleep/Cheer/Repeat is in cinemas from 17th May 2024. https://filmireland.net/

Film Ireland Presents: Simon Chambers, Director of Much Ado About Dying

Film Ireland Presents: Simon Chambers, Director of Much Ado About Dying

In this podcast, Gemma Creagh talks to Simon Chambers, the Director of Screen Ireland supported documentary 'Much Ado About Dying. Filmmaker Simon finds his life drastically interrupted when he is called back to London from India to care for his retired bohemian gay actor Uncle David. Everything that could go wrong does go wrong. David's anarchic spirit is unbreakable. He fights with Simon, refusing to go into a care home, insisting on dying in the squalor of his unheated tumble-down house. He can't remember where he put his false teeth but he still knows nearly all the lines from his beloved Shakespeare plays. David's real life starts to echo "King Lear", the play about an old man going mad and giving his kingdom away, as David starts giving away thousands of pounds to a hot sexy "helper". How do we deal with and care for our relatives who are living longer than ever? How does Simon help David to have a good death? Much Ado About Dying is in cinemas from 10th May2024. The special event screenings taking place are the following Irish Film Institute, Dublin - Q&A 10th May Palás Cinema, Galway - Q&A 11th May Lighthouse Cinema, Dublin - Q&A 12th May Omniplex Limerick - Q&A 13th May Omniplex Cork - Q&A 14th May Omniplex Rathmines, Dublin - Q&A 17th May Omniplex Belfast - Q&A 18th May Queens Film Theatre, Belfast - Q&A 19th May Century Cinema, Letterkenny - Q&A 19th May Omniplex Derry - Q&A 20th May

Film Ireland Presents: Andrew Baird, Director of Sunrise

Film Ireland Presents: Andrew Baird, Director of Sunrise

In this Film Ireland podcast, Gemma Creagh welcomes back Andrew Baird to talk about his latest film, Sunrise. Then we hear from Director Michael Showalter about his Rom Com The Idea of You. When a former cop named Fallon returns to the scene of a horrific crime, the residents of a rural town discover the dark visitor is really a vampire who feeds on blood and fear. Befriended by a kind immigrant family, the instinctive killer soon faces a choice of revenge or redemption. Sunrise was directed by Andrew Baird from a script by Academy Award-nominated screenwriter Ronan Blaney, and stars Guy Pearce and Alex Pettyfer. https://filmireland.net/

Talking Film: What's happening in Japanese Cinema?

Talking Film: What's happening in Japanese Cinema?

In this Japanese Film Festival Roundtable, Gemma Creagh talks to Andrew Partridge, founder of Anime Limited, Emmy Shigeta, a Japanese DJ working in the industry in Ireland, and Stephen McNeice, co-programmer of the Japanese Film Festival Ireland. https://www.jff.ie/ https://filmireland.net/ The Japanese Film Festival Ireland is organised by access CINEMA & The Embassy of Japan.

Shorts Focus: Young Critics from YIFM @ DIFF

Shorts Focus: Young Critics from YIFM @ DIFF

In this special Young Irish Film Makers at Dublin International Film Festival podcast, 5 young critics interview 2 filmmakers whose shorts screened at this year's festival. Adelaide Kane interviews Hannah Mamalis DIFF Podcast 2024 Chloe O'Malley and Assil Ksiksi interview Ciaran Maggin interview Ciaran Maginn, whose film Screamer screened at the the festival. Adelaide Kane, Fionn O'Mahony and Pia Roycroft interview Hannah Mamalis, whose film Baby Steps scooped the Shorts Audience Award at the festival.

Film Ireland Presents: Alan Gilsenan, Director of The Days Of Trees

Film Ireland Presents: Alan Gilsenan, Director of The Days Of Trees

In this podcast, Gemma Creagh talks to Alan Gilsenan about his latest film. .An intimate beautifully wrought and deftly handled meditation on trauma, offering hope and insight. The Days Of Trees is in cinemas from 12th April 2024.

The DocArena Podcast S2 Ep05: Andrew Gallimore (One Night In Millstreet)

The DocArena Podcast S2 Ep05: Andrew Gallimore (One Night In Millstreet)

In this episode of The DocArena Podcast, Ross Whitaker talks to Andrew Gallimore about his documentary One Night In Millstreet. One Night In Millstreet is the story of Ireland in 1995, a snapshot of a country told through a high stakes prize fight in Millstreet, Cork between the then unknown underdog Steve ‘The Celtic Warrior’ Collins and the larger-than-life champion Chris ‘Simply The Best’ Eubank - an against-all-odds sporting event that had an entire nation gripped and on the edge of its seat. The film, which won the Audience Award at the Cork International Film Festival and the Best Documentary award at the Irish Film Festival London, features interviews with the rivals themselves Steve Collins and Chris Eubank along with Irish boxing legend Barry McGuigan, Chris Eubank’s former manager Barry Hearn, writer Paul Howard and Tony Quinn, Steve Collins’ Mind Trainer. One Night In Millstreet was produced by Morgan Bushe and Peter Murnaghan for Fastnet Films and Proposition Films with funding from Fís Éireann / Screen Ireland, Coimisiún Na Meán and RTÉ. One Night In Millstreet is released in cinemas on 5th April 2024. https://filmireland.net/

Film Ireland Presents: Adam Torel, Third Window Films & Maeve Cook, Access Cinema

Film Ireland Presents: Adam Torel, Third Window Films & Maeve Cook, Access Cinema

Ahead of the Japanese Film Festival, Gemma Creagh talks to Adam Torel, Head of Third Window Films. Two of his releases, Shadow of Fire and Typhoon Club are screening at this year's festival. To introduce the festival, Gemma first talks to Maeve Cooke, director at access CINEMA, co-organisers of the festival with The Embassy of Japan. https://www.jff.ie/ https://www.accesscinema.ie https://filmireland.net/

Film Ireland Presents: Christine Molloy & Joe Lawlor, Co-Directors & Writers of Baltimore

Film Ireland Presents: Christine Molloy & Joe Lawlor, Co-Directors & Writers of Baltimore

In this Film Ireland podcast, Gemma Creagh talks to Christine Molloy & Joe Lawlor, about their film Baltimore. Based on the infamous true story of the English heiress who became a revolutionary. Debutante Rose Dugdale (Imogen Poots) enjoys a life of wealth and privilege, but her rebellious nature soon leads her down a militant path. Amongst the political turmoil of the 1970s, her sympathy towards the IRA’s conflict evolves into radicalisation, culminating in an armed raid on an Irish estate with three comrades. However, when her simple heist turns violent, is Rose prepared to face the devastating consequences? Baltimore is in cinemas from 22nd March 2024. https://filmireland.net/

Film Ireland Presents: Leandro Arouca, Colourist

Film Ireland Presents: Leandro Arouca, Colourist

In this Film Ireland podcast, Gemma Creagh talks to Leandro Arouca, Colourist at Raygun, a boutique post-production house located on Baggot Street in Dublin’s city centre. Leandro brings over fifteen years international experience in the craft of colour grading to the t Raygun team. Beginning his career with O2 Filmes in Sao Paolo, Leandro has worked alongside some of the best directors and cinematographers in Brazil such as Fernando Meirelles, César Charlone & Adriano Goldman. He brings creativity and passion to each and every project and thrives on bringing his director’s and cinematographer’s visions to life. https://filmireland.net/

The DocArena Podcast S2 Ep04: Kevin Macdonald (High & Low: John Galliano)

The DocArena Podcast S2 Ep04: Kevin Macdonald (High & Low: John Galliano)

In this episode of The DocArena Podcast, we are grateful to Dublin International Film Festival and Volta Pictures for sharing this masterclass with Kevin Macdonald on directing in conversation with Ross Whitaker. This masterclass took place on 25th February 2024. The Oscar-winning director is known for his feature and documentary films, including One Day in September (1999), Touching the Void (2003), the drama The Last King of Scotland (2006), and the Whitney Houston documentary Whitney (2018). His most recent film, High & Low: John Galliano, featured in this year’s DIFF programme and is currently in cinemas following its general release on 8th March 2024.