FFIIRRSSTT CCUUTT!! YOUTH FILM FE S TIVAL - WWW.FIRSTCUTFILMFESTIVAL.COM - First Cut! Youth Film Festival
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
THE SKY’S THE LIMIT
FIRST
CUT!
Y OU T H FIL M FE S T I VAL
APRIL 17TH - MAY 9TH
WWW.FIRSTCUTFILMFESTIVAL.COM
1
Hello and Welcome to the 12th First Cut!
Youth Film Festival
It is my pleasure and honour as festival director to welcome you to the first online edition. Much has
happened over the past year. While we would prefer to be gathering as usual in person for the festival
in the lovely seaside town of Youghal, our home since 2014, there is still a great deal to celebrate
about our 2021 edition.
What has become clear both to me and to the hard-working festival team in putting this festival togeth-
er is that the need for creativity and connection is stronger than ever. And it is equally clear that young
filmmakers in Ireland and the world over have risen to meet this need with inspiring spirit and resilience.
First Cut celebrates young people’s creativity, their ability to tell their stories through that uniquely pow-
erful medium: film. The festival provides a showcase of the best of short films from young people from
age 12 to 24. This year we were absolutely blown away by the amazing standard and amount of films
being submitted, especially given the adverse circumstances of lockdown.
What can you expect from an online First Cut! Festival? As usual, a wide range of exciting events
including screenings, workshops, discussion panels and Q&A’s – all available free of charge. You will see
short films made by young filmmakers and get to hear them talk about what inspires them, how they
make films and who they work with, and their plans for the future. You will also get to hear from some
amazing award-winning professional filmmakers and get to see their inspiring films. I’d like to extend a
very special welcome to all our guest filmmakers this year, especially our festival special guest Shaun
O’Connor and the wonderful Oscar-nominated Wolfwalkers team. Our selection of workshops is wider
than ever before with chances to learn such skills as animation, puppetry and SFX.
First Cut, like filmmaking, is truly a collaboration. Since 2009 we have been working in partnership with
young filmmakers, film industry professionals, the Arts Council, Cork County Council,
the Youghal Community, schools, youth organisations, colleges and other festi-
vals. Over the years, these connections have broadened and deepened, and
our move online continues this ongoing process. One of the most sig-
nificant collaborations of 2021 is with Cork International Film Festival,
our digital festival partners.
Keep an eye on our website for details of how to book and attend
First Cut 2021’s wide range of events happening from April 17 – May 9.
We hope you enjoy this festival programme!
Mary Mc Grath
Festival Director
2
Thank you!
Best Friends of the Festival
A massive thank you to the 2021 ‘Best Friends of the Festival’
Brooke’s SuperValu
Clock Gate Pharmacy
Goodness Me Natural Health Store
Sage Café
Youghal Socio Economic Development Ltd
Without the Youghal business community who support the festival and enable it to grow and thrive, the
First Cut! Youth Film Festival would not be possible. To become a friend of the festival, please contact us:
T: +353 86 813 9019 firstcutfilm@gmail.com
3
3
Saturday April 17th, 8.00pm
Official opening by
Ayoola Smart
Please join us in the festival’s opening event on-
line. From 7.30pm, we will officially launch the
programme with a welcome from Ayoola Smart.
To participate, you can register online,
details on our website.
Every year First Cut invites a special guest to open her success and see that they too can follow their
the festival. It is ideally a creative young person, passion.
involved in filmmaking, in front of or behind the Ayoola Smart is an Irish, Nigerian, English actor from
camera. Schull, West Cork. Graduating from East 15 Acting
Having Ayoola, a talented young actor who is School in 2016 she has since worked extensively
currently experiencing tremendous success in film across multiple media platforms. From Taming of the
and TV and on stage, and who is from Co Cork, as Shrew and Romeo & Juliet at Shakespeare’s Globe
this year’s guest is really wonderful for the festival. to film ‘Juliet, Naked’ alongside Ethan Hawke and
Audiences will recognise Ayoola from recent roles Rose Byrne, and TV including BBC’s Killing Eve S3,
in both ‘Smother’, an Irish thriller drama series, and Les Misérables and most recently, as Cathy in RTÉ’s
‘Death in Paradise’, a British-French crime drama Smother. She also works as a voice over artist across
television set in the Caribbean. Commercial, Motion Capture and Audio storytelling.
This year has been a difficult one and the festival Ayoola, who currently lives in London said ‘’Thank
is especially important to young people, creating you so much for asking me to do this, I’d be
an important space for creative young people to absolutely delighted. It’s such a great thing you’re
gather, share and be heard. Young people watching doing and such a wonderful festival.’’
can resonate with our guest, be encouraged by
5
5 5
1
Sat. April 17th, 8pm
Programme
The New Normal
Open Call Programme 1 Sat. April 17th, 8pm
The opening programme of this year’s festival is an acknowledgment that
2020 has been a year like no other.
With Covid-19 ravaging the world, a ‘new normal’ of worrying uncertainty has established itself in Ireland
and across the globe. Beyond the immediate effects of the virus, periods of lockdown, isolation and a
general interruption to life as we have known it have touched us all. This programme is made up of films
received through the festival’s open call that reflect on and react to living with the pandemic. Even if
society is gripped by a public health crisis, these films are heartening proof that the enormous creativity
of young filmmakers aged 12 - 24 is healthier than ever. The variety and sheer imagination of this group
of films is itself a sign of hope, adaptability and resilience. From thoughtful documentaries to moving
dramas to unclassifiable personal responses to the lockdown - and not forgetting a couple of laugh-out-
loud comedies responding to some of its more absurdist aspects! – The New Normal is a testament to
the inspiring power of youthful creativity.
6
The New Normal Olympia International Film Festival Stay at Home Emmet Punch
& Camera Zizanio Conversation Covid: Maeve Doyle Amy &
Covid Eire Michael Keane Rebecca Moore – Kildare Young Filmmakers
Self Isolated Ashish Prasai Conversation Covid: Sharon Curran Amy &
The Year of the End Muirinn Carty - County Wexford Rebecca Moore – Kildare Young Filmmakers
Youth Film Project Merry Covid Christmas Terence MacSwiney
Three Things That Filmmakers Should Do During Community College Transition Year Group
Quarantine Brandon Lee Distanced Liam Boland
What About the Animals? Tom Martin - County SEM Film Project Kacper Bogalecki - Saint
Wexford Youth Film Project Brendan’s College, Killarney
Conversation Covid: Aisling McNiffe Amy &
Rebecca Moore – Kildare Young Filmmakers Panel Discussion:
Conversation Covid: Amy O’Sullivan Amy & Michael Keane (Covid Eire), Kacper Bogalecki
Rebecca Moore – Kildare Young Filmmakers (SEM Film Project) and Amy & Rebecca Moore
Who Are You? Harini Rameshkumar (Conversation Covid) will discuss their work in a
Static Gearoid Murphy panel moderated by programmer Max Le Cain.
Season 16 Niamh Collins - Emerging
Limerick Filmmakers
Conversation Covid: Gary Cogan
Amy & Rebecca Moore –
Kildare Young Filmmakers
The Shipwrecked School
Ciaran Mahony
7
Sun April 18th, 7pm
Youghal: Looking
Forward, Looking Back
John McGrath: My Life in the Clock Gate
Sun April 18th, 7pm
The premiere of a documentary on
Youghal legend John McGrath made
by students at Pobalscoil na Trionóide,
the local secondary school. Youghal is a
beautiful seaside town in East Cork that
is steeped in history. McGrath was the last
person to be born in its iconic clock-
tower. A compelling raconteur, McGrath
shares vivid and personal memories of life
growing up in this unusual home and of
mid-20th century Youghal in general. It is
accompanied by Youghal: An Historical
Overview, another documentary made
by the same group of students in which local historian and author Kieran Groeger provides historical
background to the town and clocktower.
This screening will be introduced by The Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Mary Linehan Foley
Actor Ruth Hayes will join McGrath and Liam O’Leary, one of the young people involved in the making of
the film, for a discussion of this grass roots project before the screening.
Youghal has been the home of First Cut! Youth Film Festival since 2014. In that time, it has become more
than just a festival venue – it is part of the very fabric of First Cut. As an acknowledgement of Youghal’s
tremendous ongoing support even during a year when putting on a physical festival is impossible, First
Cut has commissioned local filmmaker Michael Hussey, and actor Ruth Hayes to make a short tribute
to the town’s rich filmmaking history. Youghal - Looking Forward, Looking Back is a short documenta-
ry about Youghal, its Hollywood links and its future in film. This celebratory film featuring some of the
town’s well-loved landmarks, archival footage and photographs will open this Youghal-focused pro-
gramme.
John McGrath: My Life in the Clocktower is a Cork Young Filmmakers project funded by Cork County
Council Municipal Districts Arts Development Fund in partnership with Pobalscoil na Trionóide.
9
Goodness Me Natural Health Store Youghal Proud to Support First Cut! Youth Film Festival 2021 138 North Main St, Youghal 024 25741
Thur April 22nd, 6.30 pm
Kabin Studio:
The Curious Case of the Missing Shandon Bell
Thur April 22nd, 6.30 pm
The Curious Case of the Missing Shandon Bell is a unique three-episode crime mystery series created
completely unscripted by the amazingly talented young people involved in The Kabin Studio and with
cameo appearances by the two main stars of The Young Offenders, Alex Murphy and Chris Walley.
First Cut! is thrilled to be screening all three episodes of this wonderfully quirky and entertaining project.
Participating young people Darren (MC Tiny), Ellen, Coben and Jamie will join Kabin Studio coordinator
Garry McCarthy to discuss the making of the series with Stevie G and find out about Kabin’s wide range
of creative projects that get everybody involved – from workshops in rap to growing food!
The Kabin Studio is a community youth music space in Knocknaheeny supported by Music Generation
Cork City, Cork City Council & GMCBeats.
Kickstarted with a series of brilliant improvisation workshops over zoom with filmmakers Ayla Amano &
Brendan Canty and involving Niamh, Darren, Ellen, Jamie, Killian, Cara, Sophie, Coben & Christine, all
three episodes have hilarious moments, all created off the cuff. This series captures the wit and creativity
of these young actors and will keep you on the edge of your seat!
This project was made possible thanks to the Cork North West Regeneration Community Chest Fund
2020.
Hollyhill is the new Hollywood!
112
Thur April 22nd, 7.30pm
Programme
Open Call
Open Call Programme 2 Thur April 22nd, 7.30pm
First Cut welcomes short films of every genre by young people aged
12 to 18 from Ireland and abroad.
The skill and imagination of young filmmakers shines through in the diverse and entertaining films that
make up this programme. It includes a rich array of films from schools, youth groups and individual film-
makers, and presents a vibrant cross section of youth filmmaking today.
12FOMO Kevin Meggs & Max Hendrickson Recovery Demi Duffy - Swan Youth Services
This Ain’t No Disco Léigh Carroll - County Water Bottle Aid National Youth Film & Ani-
Wexford Youth Film Project mation School/Young Irish Filmmakers
Gaiste Michael Keane The Windsor Knot Josh Kenny
Dead Noodles Veronica Howells Why Life Ends? Furkan Arslantas
CNP - Visit to the Lacunary Space of Memory Coffee Break Shane Joyce
Adina Constantin
Dawn Ailish Dynan - Aquinas Diocesan Gram- Panel Discussion:
mar School
Fiona Sykes (Hypno), Shane Joyce (Coffee
Hypno Fiona Sykes Break) and Muirinn Carty (Liber) will discuss
As If I Remember Leone Fiorito Wright - Ken- their work in a panel moderated by program-
mare Youth Film mer Max Le Cain.
Magnets Mel Larkin
Painting Cian Rowley - Emerging Limerick
Filmmakers
Radiohead Trauma Liam Cronly -
Autism Support Louth & Meath
Liber Muirinn Carty
Masked Felix Kiene-Gualtieri
1376 N Main Street Youghal
. ,
Independently owned community pharmacy
We dispense all categories of prescriptions
and are available for free health care advice
and health checks
Stockists of leading skincare and make-up brandsFri April 23rd, 8pm
Spotlight
Open Call Programme
Fri April 23rd, 8pm
Spotlight is First Cut’s open call programme Husky Darragh Scott
celebrating the vision of emerging filmmakers of Nostalgia Charlotte Ainsworth
third level age. Some are in film courses, some
Follow Simone Tringali
are working independently but all are significant
upcoming talents to watch for in the future. The Sauce Brian Clancy
Cat Vomit Francis O’Mahony
So Say All of Us Colin Peppard
What Athena Saw When Tiresias Looked Douglas
Everything Right Now Wolliewohl Junior Tyrrell Bunge
That’s Not Fair Olivia J. & Peter Walsh I Am Not Your Bitch Katelyn Markham O’Halloran
Clara’s Room Pippa Molony Last Letter Ian Fallon
To All My Darlings Lia Campbell An Tuile Seamus Wulff
Be More Pearse Donaghy
Coming Home Laura Mannix
Panel Discussion
Francis O’Mahony (Cat Vomit), Lia Campbell (To All My Darlings) and Darragh Scott (Husky) will discuss
their work in a panel moderated by filmmaker Ger Browne.
15Sat April 24th, 8pm
Festival Special Guest 2021
Shaun O’Connor
Sat April 24th, 8pm
First Cut! Youth Film Festival is delighted to welcome Shaun O’Connor as
the festival special guest for 2021. Shaun will present his acclaimed short
films A White Horse and Mary, followed by an in-depth Q&A.
A White Horse (2019) Mary (2018)
1970s Ireland. A young female patient has escaped a What can you do when you’ve accidentally smashed
psychiatric hospital and rings home from a telephone the local statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary? The only
box…. but her parents are waiting for the call. thing you can do: frame your older brother.
Shaun O’ Connor is a filmmaker whose work encompasses short films, music videos and television. His most
recent short film, A White Horse, has won numerous awards, including Best Irish Film at the Oscar qualifying
Foyle Film Festival.
Shaun has developed a diverse career over the past decade that
includes commercial work (Lidl, Concern), animation (Yum Or Yuck),
television (Republic of Telly, Ronanism), theatre, photography, and
many short films and music videos. In 2017 he directed Mary, with
the support of Screen Ireland’s Short Stories scheme. Shaun’s films
have won awards at several international film festivals, including Cork
International Film Festival, DC Shorts, Fastnet Film Festival, Kerry Film
Festival, Kinsale Sharks, Richard Harris International Film Festival, the
Charlie Chaplin Comedy Film Festival, and the Irish Music Television
Awards. He is currently developing a feature film and a new TV series
based on A White Horse.
The Q&A will be moderated by filmmaker Ger Browne.
17Fri April 30th, 8pm
Focus on Women
in Film
Fri April 30th, 8pm
Gender equality in film and television is an issue that First Cut! has turned a spotlight on through a
number of events in previous years. Creating a more inclusive film industry is a goal that a festival
with a focus on supporting future filmmakers cannot fail to support. This Focus on Women in Film is
conceived in this spirit. It celebrates three compelling and distinctive female voices in Irish filmmaking
today through showing their films and sharing their insights about their creative processes.
Ayla Amano | Megan K Fox | Bonnie Dempsey
Bonnie Dempsey
Bonnie graduated from the National Film School IADT
in 2000 specialising in cinematography and directing
before working for several years as a camera assistant
in Ireland and the UK. In 2004, she started shooting
and directing her own projects which led to television
work as a shooter / director. Over the past fifteen
years she has worked as a television maker with
experience in almost every broadcast genre. Through
her company Dyehouse Films, Bonnie has kept a keen
focus on creating compelling and engaging work for
young audiences. Her award winning short drama
films have enjoyed global success on the film festival
circuit as well as screening on children’s broadcasters
and in educational settings worldwide.
Tina Times Two (2020) The Girl at the End of the All in Good Time (2018)
A surreal coming-of-age fable Garden (2019) A comic fantasy about two
about a lonely girl whose wish A slapstick comedy about an children, one in 1918, the other in
comes true when she gains a unhappy young girl whose life 2018, who magically communi-
magical friend: an exact double is turned upside-down when cate across time through messag-
of herself! she finds a mysterious runaway es in a bottle and help solve each
with psychic powers in her back other’s problems.
garden.
18Megan K Fox
Megan K. Fox is an award-winning writer/director
of film and TV. She is passionate about telling
compelling, intimate stories of self-discovery,
adolescence and overcoming. She has received
commissions and funding grants from RTÉ, Arts
Council of Ireland, O2 Think Big and more. She
is a graduate of the MA Directing course at Met
Film School London, and since graduating in 2015,
has received over thirty awards for her work from
internationally recognised festivals. Alongside her
film career, Megan regularly directs on long running
RTÉ soap Fair City.
The Shift (2018) Cailín Álainn (2019)
It’s the last night at the Gaeltacht, and thirsty fif- A tender, bi-lingual drama about a transgender teen
teen-year-old Denise is determined to get the shift coming out for the first time at a cross-dress disco
against all odds. in Irish College.
Ayla Amano
Ayla Amano is a director, writer and producer.
Originally from New Zealand, she now resides
in Cork. Her most recent short, 4x4, premiered
at Cork International Film Festival in 2020 and
received Special Mention for Best Director. She was
shortlisted for Best Irish Director and Best Irish Short
at the 2021 Kinsale Sharks.
She studied at South Seas Film and Television School
in Auckland and spent several years directing,
writing and producing short films, documentaries,
commercials and branded content. She also worked
with youth advocacy and mentorship programmes.
In 2018 she relocated to Vancouver and focused
predominantly on documentary, co-directing and
writing a feature documentary for the Canadian
Broadcasting Corporation (CBC).
4x4 (2020)
In rural Ireland, tensions mount between teenage
sisters as they each grapple with their ties to the
family farm.
19 19Panel DIscussion
Getting Started in TV
Sat May 1st, 7.30pm
Are you interested in working in television? Would you like to be a member of a TV production
crew instead of being a viewer? If so, then this event is for you!
This panel discussion is aimed at anyone with an interest in getting into television – creating content, writing
the stories or presenting– or simply with a curiosity about the behind-the-scenes workings of some of the most
creative homegrown TV currently on Irish screens.
Here we bring together established professionals from documentary, drama aimed at young people, and
educational programming (including RTÉ’s Home School Hub) which has proved to be not only crucial but also
a massive success with the whole country. This engaging panel will share stories, experiences and tips about
working in TV in Ireland.
Bonnie Dempsey
Bonnie graduated from the National Film School IADT
in 2000 specialising in cinematography and directing
before working for several years as a camera assistant
in the film industry in Ireland and the UK. In 2004, she
started shooting and directing her own projects which
led to television work as a shooter / director. Over
the past fifteen years she has worked as a television
maker with experience in almost every broadcast genre.
Through her company Dyehouse Films, established with
her partner, editor & producer David O’Sullivan, Bonnie
has kept a keen focus on creating compelling and en-
gaging work for young audiences. Their award winning
short drama films have enjoyed global success on the
film festival circuit as well as screening on children’s
broadcasters and in educational settings worldwide.
20Sat May 1st, 7.30pm
Cúán Mac Conghail
Cúán Mac Conghail has produced, directed and edited
film and television programmes for over 30 years. A
graduate of Ballyfermot college, he trained in the BBC in
London. His most recent productions are Home School
Hub for RTÉ and the feature film Arracht, which has won
a number of prizes around the world and will be in the
cinema later this year.
Ciara Hyland
Ciara Hyland is a highly experienced writer and director
focusing on cutting edge history that reveals something
about who we still are today. She is passionate about the
visual, cinematic telling of emotionally impactful stories
that resonate widely – often focussing on women and their
experiences. In 2020 she wrote and directed ‘Cogadh ar
Mhná / A War on Women?’ for TG4 and RTÉ. It broached a
taboo topic for the first time – sexual abuse during the Irish
Revolution. Also in 2020 Ciara wrote and directed ‘74 days:
Inside Terence MacSwiney’s Hunger Strike’ for RTÉ. In 2019
Ciara wrote and directed the highly acclaimed 2-part series
for TG4 ‘De Valera i Méiriceá/ De Valera in America’. She was
Kerry Filmmaker in Residence for 2016/17 - an artist’s bursary
award funded by Kerry County Council and the Arts Council
of Ireland. She has several drama projects in development
and is currently writing her first 6 part TV drama series.
Ray Cuddihy
Ray co-presents Home School Hub on RTÉ Television.
He has previously worked on television as an actor and
resident RTÉ puppeteer. He has developed flagship
and central puppet characters on shows such as Bright
Sparks and The Why Guy both for RTÉ Jr. He is also
title puppeteer and prolific sketch writer with the RTÉ
2 show Martin’s Shed. Ray established his skills and
trade in theatrical performance with National Theatre
of Ireland company Fibín. He is a multi-award-winning
radio producer and presenter on his weekly radio show
Spin ALT. Previously Ray has co-founded non-profit arts
and radio projects such as Wingnut Records and Curious
Broadcast.
The panel moderator is Anne-Marie Green, a journalist,
documentary maker, and lecturer and Course Coordina-
tor on the Certificate in Television Production, created in
conjunction with RTE, at Munster Technological University,
formerly CIT.
21Tues May 4th, 6.30pm
Cork Young
Filmmakers
Tues May 4th, 6.30pm
For the past fifteen years, the Cork Young Filmmakers (CYF) programme has been bringing hands-on
filmmaking workshops to hundreds of young people throughout County Cork each year.
The most intensive of their annual slate of workshops are the summer courses that bring young people with a
passion for filmmaking together to create a film over several days. Faced with Covid restrictions, 2020 called
for a new, updated approach. Taking the workshops online, the emphasis was now on the participants to each
make a documentary and a fiction film completely independently, working on their own with smartphones
while receiving mentoring from CYF tutors over Zoom. The consistently inventive and surprising films that
emerged are a testament to the amazing imagination and inventiveness of the budding filmmakers that took
part. This programme consists of all the films made over these four ten-day sessions as well as the fruits of a
more recent three-day workshop run as part of First Cut! 2021.
Cork County Council Arts Officer Ian McDonagh will introduce this screening
Cork Young Filmmakers is an annual programme providing filmmaking workshops for youth groups
and schools throughout County Cork. It is managed by Cork Film Centre, and funded by Cork County
Council Arts Office and SECAD (South & East Cork Area Development). It has been run annually since
2006. First Cut! Youth Film Festival emerged from this workshop programme and continues to showcase
films made as part of it. In 2020, twenty one-day workshops took place in secondary schools throughout
County Cork. The films made during these workshops will be screened by First Cut! in conjunction with
the participating schools as part of a special event to take place later in 2021.
Get Into Filmmaking – A Film Basics Workshop
A three-day filmmaking workshop for young people age 14-18 is taking place during First Cut! 2021. This
online, hands-on workshop in the basics of filmmaking is facilitated by Cork Film Centre’s tutors who have
long experience in working with Cork Young Filmmakers. The young filmmakers learn top tips and develop a
range of skills through practical exercises using equipment already accessible to them. The films made as part
of this workshop are also being screened as part of this programme.
Workshop participants:
Veronica Howells, Jodie Corry, Tiano Murphy Osindero, Timmy Murphy, Cathal Twomey, Mia Normoyle, Patrick
O Connor Mason, Arum Allsopp Wilson, Manus O Boyle, Charmaine Ngwenya, Rowen Moore, Mia Clinch and
Jack Murray.
This workshop is funded by The Arts Council and Cork County Council.
22Midleton Summer Course
Participants: Benedikt Kickl, Cian
O’Flynn, Ciarán Grimes, Finbarr Cash-
man, Kyra Owers, Liam O’Leary, Luke
Histon, Matthew Roche, Nathan Murphy,
Ambrose Wall Thompson.
Mallow Summer Course
Participants: Aislinn Cuffe, Clodagh Le-
hane, Gearoid Murphy, Jamie O’Sullivan,
Joey Hennessy Lynch, Lauren Martin,
Liam Harte, Rosa O’Sullivan, Roisín
Grant, Nina Devine.
Bandon Summer Course
Participants: Alex Appelbe, Isobel
Bergin, Harry Dunican, Muireann Forde,
Loren Hitz, Rory Lawton, Jessica Molo-
ney, Michael Murnane Hayes, Alanagh
O’Brien, Donal Riordan.
Macroom Summer Course
Participants: Dylan Sheehan, Mark
Delaney, Alex Bevan, James Healy,
Evan Gallagher, Jude Ramsell, Eamonn
Fitzgerald, Danielle “Dani” Ware, Roisin
Buckley.
23Thurs May 6th, 6.30pm
All About Animation!
Thurs May 6th, 6.30pm
Animation plays a major part in First Cut! Youth Film Festival because nothing conveys the magic
of cinema like animation.
Animated films are hugely popular worldwide. They’re often the first movies we fall in love with as chil-
dren, introducing us to iconic characters like Mickey Mouse, Bugs Bunny, and so many more.
In addition, the animation industry in Ireland is on fire and it’s an exciting time for professional animators
and also for students looking to break into the industry. Irish animation has won awards at such major
ceremonies as the Oscars, BAFTAs and Emmys, and these have helped establish our reputation as a
global powerhouse and centre of excellence for animation.
This year First Cut has an expanded animation workshop and screening programme. Tonight‘s screening
is in two exciting parts
Programme 1
First up are films made by participants in the Animania: My World in Motion workshops and a screening of
Animation Dingle festival’s YAOTY (Young Animator of the Year) nominated short films.
Animania: My World in Motion
Thanks to these two new First Cut! workshops,
thirty young people had their first opportunity to
gain the skills required to animate their own short
films at home. Experienced tutor Belinda Walsh,
with Ilse De Ziah, demonstrated the basic skills for
hand drawn, claymation, legomation and paper
cut stop motion. These workshops sparked the
curiosity and imaginations of the young people
who took part and gave them an experience
that builds confidence, creativity, and pride in
their artistic abilities. The enchanting results are
receiving their premiere!
24Thurs May 6th, 6.30pm
YAOTY 2021 Nominations Triskel Issy Boxwell - Scoil Mhuire, Carrick-on-Suir,
Co. Tipperary
This year we are delighted to partner with the
Animation Dingle Festival to bring you their Young Old Fool: Look To The Sky Jude O’Brien - Kil-
Animator of the Year award contenders. The toohig Charleville, Co. Cork
award is supported by Disney Channel and is open Mr. Lego-The Movie Malachaí Ó Ciardhubháin -
to secondary school students all over Ireland. The Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne, Daingean Uí Chúis,
2021 theme was Look To The Sky. Co. Kerry
Lockdown Isn’t Just For People Siún Ní Eartáin
- Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne, Daingean Uí Chúis,
Co. Kerry
Shooting Star Kellie Flaherty - Scoil Mhuire, Car-
rick-on-Suir, Co. Tipperary
Look To The Sky Rianna Lyons - Lucan Communi-
ty College, Co. Dublin
URB Liam Murphy - Clonakilty Community Col-
lege, Co. Cork
Eagles Don’t Catch Flies Sibéal Ní Ógáin - Po-
balscoil Chorca Dhuibhne, Daingean Uí Chúis, Co.
Kerry
Look to the Sky Adam Pandey - SEK Dublin Inter-
national School, Co. Wicklow
Look To The Sky Shayna Gail Velasquez - Aquinas
Diocesan Grammar School, Belfast, Co. Antrim
Panel Discussion:
Anne Upton, independent animator and IADT tutor joins JAM Media CEO John Rice, Animation Dingle Festival
Director Maurice Galway and experienced animation workshop tutor Belinda Walsh, in a Q&A moderated by
First Cut! animation programme coordinator Jessica Bonenfant Coogan.
25All About Animation
Programme 2
First Cut! Open Call Animations
Outstanding animations submitted to the First Cut! 2021 Open Call from young filmmakers in Ireland
and abroad.
CNP - Visit to the Lacunary Space of Memory Blind Consumption Instituto América Latina
Adina Constantin Coloridos Instituto América Latina
Alamid Shayna Velasquez - Aquinas Diocesan Replaced Instituto América Latina
Grammar School Belfast
The Soul of Beasts Instituto América Latina
The Moments Piotr Kaźmierczak
Freja Sinéad Nolan
On The Outside Liam Cronly
Hania & Jacek Roch, Mia & Franciszek Karwowski
Enkata Max Hendrickson
Wendigo Max Hendrickson
Panel Discussion:
Max Hendrickson (Enkata, Wendigo) and Shayna
Velasquez (Alamid) will discuss their work
in a panel moderated by First Cut! animation
coordinator Jessica Bonenfant Coogan.
26Fri May 7th, 6pm
CREATING NEW STORIES
FROM THE PAST
Fri May 7th, 6pm
A screening of films made by participants in the Creating New Stories from the Past workshop. This
workshop in a collaboration between First Cut! and the Make Film History project gave young filmmakers
the opportunity to make a three-minute film from archival footage.
Over the course of two weeks, participants gained access to archives - a combination from the BFI and IFI
archives, for a variety of subject matter and eras and made their own unique films. Colm McAuliffe, Make Film
History, and Linda Curtin, First Cut Festival, with international award winning filmmaker Tadhg O Sullivan
presented a workshop on the creative re-use of archive film, in collaboration with the Make Film History
project, which makes available archive films from the BBC, BFI National Archive, Irish Film Institute and
Northern Ireland Screen for educational use by young filmmakers.
This was followed by a Smartphone Filmmaking Workshop with Póca Productions, a training organisation
dedicated to teaching video production skills using the technology and software available on a smartphone.
This gave participants the industry-standard skills and techniques necessary to plan, film and edit their short
film using the technology and software available on a smartphone.
A winning film will be announced.
Make Film History
The creative reuse of moving image archive material remains problematic, beset by questions of copyright
law, rights clearance and “fair dealing” exceptions, and an audiovisual archives sector without a standardised
framework to open up access to this material for creative reuse by filmmakers in education and the
community who cannot afford commercial license fees.
The Make Film History network addresses this problem by developing a new, sustainable model for the
creative reuse of archive material for non-commercial use. This pilot study offers audiovisual archives
within the network a low-risk framework for long-term collaboration with stakeholders working with young
filmmakers in education, training and the community.
27First Cut! Awards Festival Director Mary McGrath and the First Cut! Youth Council announce the 2021 First Cut! Youth Film Festival award winners. The Award Categories are: First Cut Youth Film Festival Best Film First Cut Youth Film Festival Best First Cut Youth Council Award Animation First Cut Youth Film Festival Spotlight First Cut Youth Film Festival Best Award Documentary Cork International Film Festival Award First Cut Youth Film Festival Best for Best First Cut Film Music Video First Cut Youth Film Festival Best First Cut Youth Film Festival Best Director Schools Film First Cut Youth Film Festival Best First Cut Youth Film Festival Best Cork International Film Young Filmmakers Film First Cut! also presents awards for Best YMVC-Youth Music Competition music video and Best Cork Young Filmmakers Schools Film. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, these events will take place later in 2021 and the awards will be announced then. The beautiful First Cut! Awards are designed and created by Paddy McCormack.
Fri May 7th, 8pm
CORK INTERNATIONAL
FILM FESTIVAL PROGRAMME
Fri May 7th, 8pm
Collaboration is at the cornerstone of everything we do at
First Cut. Since 2019 we have enjoyed a partnership with Cork
International Film Festival who generously present an award
and a specially curated screening of shorts selected from
their programme at First Cut! every year. These films provide
inspiration and new perspectives for our festival attendees. This
year, we are delighted to announce that CIFF are also our digital
partner in presenting our first online festival.
“Cork International Film Festival is delighted once again to partner with First Cut!, a film festival that
champions young filmmakers. Student works are such an important part of the filmmaking ecology and every
year we watch with interest to see what new voices and talents are emerging in Ireland. Our 2020 festival
programme presented a significant number of student and first filmmaker works, and we offer a choice
selection of those here in films that cover comedy and drama and include animation and documentary. We
also include a film by a filmmaking duo who are a little further on in their career in the shape of Drifting, which
captures a moment in youthful lives where a decision has to be made to either stay or spread the wings. I
hope you enjoy the journey that that and all the other films in this programme take you on.”
Don O’Mahony, Senior Programmer, Cork International Film Festival
Method Polly Holland
L’Argomento! Reuben Harvey
Drifting Robert Higgins, Patrick McGivney
Loving Ava Kate Daly
Post Love Max Barry
Hanging Over The Atlantic Fionn Walshe
A panel discussion will follow the screening, moderated by Don O’Mahony and featuring a number of the
filmmakers featured in the programme.
CIFF selects and presents an annual award to a film from the First Cut! open call, the winner of which will be
announced during this event.
28
41Screenwriting Masterclass
Will Collins
Sat May 8th, 6.30pm
First Cut! is thrilled to present a talk by Will Collins, screenwriter of the Oscar-nominated Wolfwalkers. He will
focus on how he became a screenwriter, where he gets his ideas and how he turns those ideas into stories.
This event is bound to be inspiring for budding scriptwriters and fascinating to anyone with an interest in the
craft of writing for film.
Will Collins is a screenwriter whose credits include the Oscar-nominated films Wolfwalkers and Song of the
Sea, the live-action feature My Brothers, the Netflix special Angela’s Christmas. He has been nominated for
two Annies (Wolfwalkers, Song of the Sea), a daytime Emmy (Angela’s Christmas), an Emile Award (Angela’s
Christmas), and two IFTA’s (Song of the Sea, My Brothers).
29Wolfwalkers
Sat May 8th, 8pm
The closing event of First Cut! Youth Festival 2021 is a screening of the stunning Oscar and BAF-
TA nominated feature Wolfwalkers from legendary animation studio Cartoon Saloon.
It is followed by a Q&A with directors Tomm Moore and Ross Stewart, and screenwriter Will
Collins.
A young apprentice hunter and her father journey to Ireland to help wipe out
the last wolf pack. But everything changes when she befriends a free-spirited
girl from a mysterious tribe rumored to transform into wolves by night.
Tomm Moore – Director
Tomm has worked as director, art director,
storyboarder, animator and illustrator on a range
of Cartoon Saloon projects. He directed three uni-
versally successful feature films, all nominated for
Best Animated Feature at the Academy Awards:
The Secret Of Kells in 2010, its spiritual follow-up,
Song of the Sea, in 2015, and the final part of this
trilogy, Wolfwalkers in 2021. Tomm Moore received
the Directors Guild of Ireland and America Finder’s
Series Awards in 2008 and European Director of
the year at Cartoon Movie in 2009.
30Sat May 8th, 8pm
Ross Stewart – Director
Ross Stewart has been painting, illustrating, de-
signing and working in animation for over twenty
years. Earlier in his career, Ross worked primarily
in Visual Development and Art Direction includ-
ing roles on three Oscar-nominated movies. More
recently he has moved from art direction into di-
recting, working with Tomm Moore on The Prophet
and now Wolfwalkers. As a freelance conceptual
artist he has worked for many animation and film
studios worldwide on award winning projects and
has illustrated books for a variety of publishers. His
paintings are exhibited throughout Ireland and the
UK and held in collections worldwide.
Will Collins – Screenwriter
Will Collins is a screenwriter whose credits include
the Oscar-nominated films Wolfwalkers and Song
of the Sea, the live-action feature My Brothers, the
Netflix special Angela’s Christmas. He has been
nominated for two Annies (Wolfwalkers, Song of
the Sea), a daytime Emmy (Angela’s Christmas), an
Emile Award (Angela’s Christmas), and two IFTA’s
(Song of the Sea, My Brothers).
The Q&A is moderated by Niamh Herrity,
co-founder, CEO & Head of Production at Pink
Kong Animation Studios.
31COME & VISIT IN 2021
OPEN AS SOON AS GOVERNMENT
GUIDELINES WILL ALLOW!
32 32Saturday March 14th, 4.45pm
Workshops
First Cut! Youth Film Festival is presenting an exciting series of online workshops both before and
during the 2021 festival. These workshops are delivered by experienced professionals and cover both
general and specialist aspects of filmmaking. They are also all free of charge.
For full details or to book, please visit: firstcutfilmfestival.com/first-cut-2021-workshops
YOUNG CRITICS @ First Cut 2021
First Cut Youth Film Festival and the National Network for Young Filmmakers & Animators with YIFM
proudly present the Young Critics Workshop on Friday, April 23 5PM-7PM.
This is open to aspiring film critics and to any young person who is into film and creative writing, (aged 16-26),
from Ireland and abroad. It offers them the opportunity to cover the 12th edition of the First Cut! Festival,
which provides young filmmakers aged between 12 and 24 with a platform for screening their short films.
The participants of the Young Critics Panel will be invited to view and discuss five of the short films which
have been selected for screening at First Cut! 2021.
WORKSHOP:
There will be a free online workshop available to the15 members
of the panel. Esther Mc Carthy, veteran Journalist, Columnist,
Broadcaster and Copywriter will lead this workshop, sharing her
expertise, facilitating discussion, and giving feedback and tips. Esther
was this year’s Dublin International Film Festival interviewer and
most notably the film reviewer on the popular movies show with
Sean Moncrieff every Friday on Newstalk.
Participants will spend the first hour reviewing the five selected films
and sharing their responses in writing and in conversation with each
other and the professional film critic. In the second hour, participants
will design and record a short discussion on their ideas; they will
produce a podcast. The podcast will be edited by older, full-time
members of the Young Critics programme after the workshop. It will be published on the First Cut! Festival
website and Young Irish Film Makers SoundCloud and Spotify channels.
Film criticism is a new addition to the FCYFF programme. We recognise the role of critics in enriching our
understanding of film and in encouraging debate and discussion amongst our audiences.
This is our first year hosting the Young Critics Panel and workshop. In working with YIFM and Esther Mc
Carthy, we hope to provide a platform for the next generation of film critics to learn and develop. The
participants will be invited to produce festival coverage, while receiving mentorship and training.
33Animania 2021 – Youghal
First Cut! is delighted to continue this year to
provide a unique workshop opportunity to young
people from Youghal. This workshop programme
is made possible with the financial support of Cork
County Council and Youghal Credit Union and takes
place in partnership with seven local schools.
These hands-on workshops are delivered by
Matchbox Mountain, an Ireland based animation
studio that specialises in original storytelling and
experimental visuals and founded by Pádraig Fagan
& Eimhin McNamara. They will focus on hand drawn animation and will be presented online with the animators
joining the classroom by video link. First Cut! will provide the necessary materials and equipment.
The workshops set out to spark the curiosity and imagination of young people from the Youghal area and give
them the opportunity to become artists/ animators/ filmmakers.
Workshops will run concurrently with the festival this year. While we will not be able to screen the students’
animations during the festival as usual, we will be organising a special virtual screening in conjunction with the
schools later in 2021.
Puppetry for Film and Television Stormtroopers SFX Workshop
Workshop with Dominic Moore A special effects workshop with Micheál Fitzgerald
An hour-long workshop in puppetry for the screen An hour-long SFX workshop for ages 12-18.
for ages 12-24. Delivered over Zoom at 4pm, May 7th.
Delivered over Zoom at 2pm, Saturday May 8th.
This highly interactive workshop will take participants
through some basic puppetry exercises with one of
Ireland’s most renowned puppeteers, Dominic Moore.
Participants will learn basic puppetry techniques for
the screen, with expert analysis by an experienced
leader and gain confidence in their own voice, as
expressed through a simple puppet they will have
made themselves.
This unique free workshop is ideal for anyone
Dominic Moore is an actor, voice-over artist, interested in building a SFX strategy for their short
puppeteer and writer from Cork where he lives and films. It is a production overview of acclaimed short
works. film Stormtroopers (2018), with a special focus on
To book a place, email: firstcutfestinfo@gmail.com special effects. The visionary Micheál Fitzgerald will
demonstrate to participants the process of “breaking
down Film Special Effects (SFX)”. Participants will
learn the process of creating a dynamic effects heavy
action sequence, integrating special effects with your
location and being creative on a small budget.
Micheál Fitzgerald is an actor who has appeared in
Game of Thrones, Nightflyers & Dublin Murders. He
has a Masters in Aerospace Engineering and applies
his engineering experiences to writing, producing
and directing sci-fi films.
Deadline for applications: 23rd of April.
Places are limited. To book a place,
email: firstcutfestinfo@gmail.com
34Collage & Stop Motion Workshop with Get Into Filmmaking - A Film Basics
Ann Upton Workshop
A three-day filmmaking workshop for ages 14-18
First Cut! Youth Film Festival presents an online,
hands-on workshop in the basics of filmmaking
facilitated by Cork Film Centre’s professional and
experienced filmmakers. Each student will write,
shoot, direct and edit their own film using their own
equipment and have their film screened online as
part of the First Cut! 2021 virtual festival.
This workshop is funded by The Arts Council and
Cork County Council.
A two-day animation workshop for ages 18-24
Delivered over Zoom, 2-4pm, Friday 16th & Saturday Animania: My World in Motion
17th April
Three Day Animation Workshop with Belinda Walsh
& Ilse De Ziah
Over two sessions, participants will create Two three-day animation workshops for
unexpected compositions using found photographic ages 8-12 & ages 13-18
material, and animate their scenes frame by frame.
Participants will be advised in creating an at-home
stop motion shooting setup, selecting appropriate First Cut! Youth Film Festival offered thirty young
materials, and animating their designs. people the opportunity to gain the skills required to
animate their own short films at home.
This workshop is funded by The Arts Council and
Cork County Council and supported by Youghal Experienced tutors Belinda Walsh and Ilse De Ziah
Credit Union. will demonstrate the basic skills for hand drawn,
claymation, legomation and paper cut stop motion
Ann Upton is an independent animator specialising
over three days. The animated shorts produced
in paper cut-out and stop motion animation. She is
will be screened online during the First Cut! Youth
an assistant lecturer on the Animation programme
Film Festival. A prize of €100 will be awarded to
at Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art Design and
the winning animation and announced during the
Technology.
festival.
This workshop is funded by The Arts Council and
Cork County Council. This workshop is presented in
partnership with Midleton Arts Festival.
Belinda Walsh and Ilse De Ziah have been running
Midleton Arts Festival for many years. Their dream
is to make art and creativity an accessible and
enjoyable part of everyday life for all.
35Moderators
First Cut! 2021’s panel discussion and Q&A moderators.
Anne-Marie three years and is delighted to be coordinating the
Green Animania programme in 2021.
Anne-Marie Green
worked for two decades Linda Curtin
in broadcasting in
Linda Curtin is an award-
Ireland, Australia and
winning filmmaker
Italy. She continues to
whose process is
make documentaries
embedded in socially
and also lectures at
engaged arts practice
Munster Technological
and visual anthropology.
University (formerly known as the Cork Institute
Her work has screened
of Technology). She teaches television production,
internationally at arts
filmmaking and photography.
festivals, film festivals, in
galleries and has been TV broadcast. She also works
Ger Browne as a Film & TV Coordinator for Screen Wexford and
is responsible for developing the film community and
A winner of numerous
film industry in the region.
bursaries for community
based short films and
documentaries. Ger’s Niamh Herrity
films have screened at
Niamh Herrity is CEO
film festivals both at
and award-winning
home and abroad. As
producer at Pink Kong
well as making short
Studios Dublin. Recipient
films he has a passion
of Female Entrepreneur
for screening the work of others and has acted as
of the year 2015, IBYE
a programmer for various culture night events and
finalist 2016 and Dublin
the Mallow Arts Festival. He is the co- host of the
City Entrepreneur of
Xtra Reel Film Podcast. He is currently the project
the year 2017 - Niamh’s
coordinator of a youth and community project with
Business background has enabled her to push the
the CDYS in Mallow.
studio to new heights. She has produced award
winning content for the Studio including a BAFTA
Jessica Bonenfant winning game Virginia (2016), IFTA nominated
Coogan Departure (2017) and her current film The Dead
Hands of Dublin (2020) funded by Screen Ireland
Jessica Bonenfant is
and RTÉ. Niamh produced Ireland’s first original
the Artistic Director
animated Virtual Reality short narrative AURORA
of Greywood Arts in
(2018) which premiered as the centrepiece for Audi
East Cork, a welcoming
Dublin International Film Festival Immersive Stories
place for artists and the
conference. Co-creator and producer of Urban Tails
community to come
TV series premiered on RTÉjr in September 2019.
together to explore the
Niamh plays an active role within Ireland’s animation
creative process. Her
community holding seats on both the board of
background is in choreography and improvisation,
Animation Ireland, Irish Animation Awards, Women in
including dance for camera. Jessica has worked
Animation Ireland and is the Irish Ambassador for the
with First Cut! as the YMVC Coordinator for the past
European Animation Awards.
36Ruth Hayes Stevie G
As well as being Stevie G is a DJ who
a theatre and film works at Corks RedFM.
actor, Ruth has He’s a regular feature
produced, written and at music and arts
directed numerous festivals throughout
Broadcasting Authority the country. One of
funded dramas and Irelands best known
documentaries such as DJ’s, he is a pioneer
OC and Me, The Diary in spreading music
and Finding Nano. Achievements include the drama such as hip-hop, soul and afro-beats here. He is a
The Rising Sisters which won the CRAOL Award’s community activist who worked at the Cork Migrant
gold medal for production. With her experience Centre, Nano Nagle Place from 2017, spearheading
co-producing and presenting the TV series County a number of music and arts projects with teenagers
Matters, Ruth was delighted to share her on camera from Direct Provision and Cork’s greater migrant
and interview technique with the students of community. On RedFM, his Black on Red show won
Pobalscoil na Trionaide for the documentary My Life best weekly music radio show at the PPI Awards
in the Clock Gate. (2002). Stevie has done documentaries on musical
figures, including Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin and A
Tribe Called Quest. He has a weekly music column in
Echolive since 2003, and was a judge at the Choice
Music Awards (2020). Stevie co-ran an audiovisual
exhibition about Sir Henrys nightclub in UCC in 2014
and was project manager on the My Generation
visual arts project at Cork City Library with the
Glucksman in 2020.
37YMVC – Youth Music Video
Awards 2021
An annual highlight of First Cut! Youth Film Festival is the YMVC – Youth Music Video Competition. Since
2016, First Cut! has been partnering with cutting edge production company Feel Good Lost to give young
emerging filmmakers based in Ireland the opportunity to create music videos under the mentorship of
noted director Brendan Canty and other recognised industry professionals. With each year, the competi-
tion has gone from strength to strength. This year’s YMVC programme is coordinated by Vicky Langan.
Covid-19 restrictions have led to YMVC 2021 being moved later into the year. Keep an eye on our website
and social media for the premiere screening of all the music videos which will be made as part of this
project. We will also be announcing the YMVC 2021 winner & presenting an award. The emerging film-
makers who will be taking part in this acclaimed scheme are:
Josh Meany Aisling O’Regan
A Carlow based Sargent
filmmaker and A recent graduate
photographer. He of The National Film
studied Multimedia School at IADT and
Studies at DCU, the recipient of the
graduating in 2018. Since Screen Directors Guild
then he has worked of Ireland Award 2020.
in video production Aisling has written and
roles and on personal directed many short
projects. He has directed a number of music videos films during her college
to date, mainly working with electronic and hip hop career, including Take A Seat. Find Me. Touch Me.
producers. In his work Josh aims to capture candid and The Anniversary. Aisling’s graduate short Cease,
human moments and experiences which correlate starring Hazel Doupe, has gone on to screen at
thematically with the intent of the music they festivals in Ireland and around the world. She was
accompany. recently nominated for an award in the student film
category at The Richard Harris Film Festival.
Anna
Heisterkamp Darragh Scott & Emma Murphy
A music video director, Darragh Scott is an
cinematographer and animator and filmmaker
editor based in Dublin. from Dublin. He has
She is half-German, worked in video
half-Irish and spent production since the
her childhood in age of 17, co-founding
Washington D.C before the production company
moving back to Ireland. Flourish Films. With Flourish he directed work for
Since graduating from the National Film School in Brands such as RTÉ, Offbeat Donut Co. and Camile.
2019, she has continued to make music videos whilst
studying maths and philosophy to learn more about
different methods of thought and how we perceive
the world.
38Emma Murphy Robert Bass & Eoin Byrne
Emma Murphy is an animation filmmaker and A directing duo currently in their final year at the
designer from Kerry. She recently graduated National Film School, IADT. They bonded over a
from the National Film School, IADT with a BA in shared obsession with music and cinema, and under
Animation and is currently working full-time as an the GONZO Collective have worked across various
animator in Kavaleer Productions. mediums, creating music videos, short films and
artwork. Robert and Eoin are driven by their love of
collaboration, and enthusiasm for experimentation.
Over the course of the coming years, the pair
are striving to develop their skills, continuing to
challenge themselves in the pursuit of realising their
goal of directing feature-length films.
Mentors
Brendan Canty Lochlainn McKenna
Brendan Canty has Lochlainn McKenna
forged his way as one (A.K.A Locky) is a music
of the most exciting and video and commercials
prolific Irish directors director from Cork. He
to watch. His early was the 2017 winner
career enjoyed large of YMVC and that
success with his video success propelled him
for Hozier’s Take Me to to win 5 Kinsale Shark
Church (which has since Awards in the next 3
surpassed 700million years, including: Best
views on Youtube along New Director, Best Low
with two MTV VMA Budget Music Video (x2), Best Editing and Best
nominations), since then Brendan has gone on to Cinematography. In 2018, Locky won two Emerging
direct consistently elegant and visually stunning Director Awards, and his video for Daithí received
music videos for top international artists. In 2017 a Vimeo Staff Pick. Another collaboration with
Brendan directed For You (starring Barry Keoghan) Daithí led to a prestigious nomination at the 2019
which went on to win a Kinsale Shark and was UK Music Video Awards. Locky has worked with
nominated for an IFTA. In 2019, Brendan directed a world renowned acts such as Westlife and Keane.
second short film – Christy – funded through Screen Commercially he has directed TV commercials and
Ireland, which he’s currently developing as a feature online content for brands such as Heineken, Toyota,
with BBC Films and Scott Free. Aldi and Sky.
39
39Thank you!
First Cut! Youth Advisory Council
Huge gratitude to the wonderful Youth Advisory Council for their precious time, energy and ideas. The 2021
Council members are: Emma Caplice, Katelynn Cremin, Aislinn Cuffe, Muireann Forde, Charlotte Galvin, Liam
Harte, Michael Keane, Gearóid Murphy, Liam O’Leary, Rosa O Sullivan and Ambrose Wall Thompson.
Thank You
A very special thank you to our main funders The Arts Council of Ireland and Cork County Council, to Cork
Education and Training Board, and to our Animania sponsors Youghal Credit Union.
A huge thank you to our digital festival partner, Cork International Film Festival.
Sincere thanks to everyone who volunteered valuable time and energy to help make First Cut! 2021
happen.
Especially (in alphabetical order): Ayla Amano; Seóna Ni Bhriain (Head of YPC, The Arts Council), Susan
Brophy (Cartoon Saloon); Brendan Canty; Fiona Clarke, Si Edwards & Don O’Mahony (Cork International
Film Festival); Will Collins; Alison Crowley & John Rice (JAM Media); Ray Cuddihy; Bonnie Dempsey; Pádraig
Fagan (Matchbox Mountain Animation); Micheál Fitzgerald; Cllr. Mary Linehan Foley, Mayor of the County
of Cork; Cry Local Radio, Youghal; Megan K Fox; Stevie G; Maurice Galway (Animation Dingle); Anne-Marie
Green; Ruth Griffin (CETB); Kieran Groeger; Jamie Hanrahan (Web Designer); Ruth Hayes; Niamh Herrity
(Pink Kong Studios); Michael Hussey; Ciara Hyland; Sorcha Hyland (National Network and Young Critics Panel
– YIFM); Darren Kelleher (ActorsVision); Camilla Meegan (Póca Productions); Tomm Moore & Ross Stewart
(Wolfwalkers); Dominic Moore; Colm McAuliffe (Make Film History); Crona McCarthy (TY Coordinator,
Pobalscoil na Troinóide); Esther McCarthy; Garry McCarthy (Kabin Studio Coordinator); Cúán Mac Conghail;
John McGrath; Lochlainn McKenna; Dermot McLoughlin (Creative Strategic Solutions); Ian McDonagh (Cork
County Council Arts Officer); Shaun O’Connor; Kieran O’Connor (Graphic Design); Tadhg O’Sullivan; Kieran
Quinn (Youghal Credit Union); Ayoola and Sally Smart; Anne Upton; Karl Wallace (Head of Festivals, The Arts
Council); Belinda Walsh; Ilse De Ziah.
The First Cut! Team
Mary McGrath – Festival Director/Producer; Max Le Cain – Programmer; Jessica Bonenfant Coogan –
Animation Programme Coordinator; Vicky Langan – YMVC Coordinator; Ellen Whelan – Administrator;
Emer Casey – Social Media Manager; Tara Murphy – Festival Strategy Consultant; Ger Browne – Programme
Consultant; Chris Hurley – Technical Consultant.
First Cut! Trustees
Pascal Scott (Festival Patron), Linda Curtin, John McCarthy, Kate O’Connor, Toirdealbhach Ó Lionaird.
First Cut Youth Film Festival is a registered charity CHY No. 20106652
Friends of the Festival
Without the Youghal business community who support the festival and enable it to grow and thrive, the First
Cut! Youth Festival would not be possible. To become a Friend of the Festival, please contact us on:
+353 86 813 9019 - firstcutfilm@gmail.com - firstcutfilmfestival.com
40You can also read
