Six Irish shorts have been selected for the 21st Annual Palm Springs International Shortfest – which will run from 16-22 June 2015.
‘Cutting Grass’, ‘The Morrigan’, ‘Personal Development’, ‘Rip It Up & Start Again’, ‘Tea With The Dead’ and ‘The Struggle of Libations’ have all been chosen to screen at the AMPAS, BAFTA and BIFA affiliated festival this year, which has been described as one of the most acclaimed short film showcases in the world.
Written and directed by John Kennedy and Ruairi O’Brien and produced by Laura McNicholas, ‘Cutting Grass’ tells the story of two bothersome kids who carry on a campaign of harassment against a lonely homeowner in hopes of getting money in return, setting the stage for an unexpected resolution with damning consequences.
16 minute horror thriller ‘The Morrigan’ is about a young couple on a getaway to their remote holiday cottage in Ireland who take in a young girl they find unconscious outside their cottage one night. But after calling the police, things start to go very wrong. The film is written and directed by Colum Eastwood and produced by Benedict Turnbull and Iain Simpson.
Also screening this year is ‘The Struggle of Libations’ which was written, produced and directed by Erin Mullally. The eight minute drama is about a working stiff heading for the neighborhood pub for his nightly afterwork quaff, but tonight, something is different: a mysterious young woman seems to take a keen interest in him, inviting him back to her place…
‘Personal Development’ follows Fintan - a bit adrift after his divorce - not knowing how to relate to his two girls who seem to be turning into women right before his eyes. A weekend alone with his younger daughter brings an opportunity for them to get back to comfortable closeness, if they can get over their embarrassment first. The film is directed by Tom Sullivan, written by Muirinn Lane Kelly and produced by Alan Keane.
Seven minute dramedy ‘Rip It Up & Start Again’ is written and directed by Stephen Ryan and produced by Stephen Ryan and Richard Bolger. A postman's dog watches as he strains over writing a letter, which he eventually tries to deliver. But to reach the object of his desire he must first get past her pint-sized guard dog, which is easier said than done.
Also on the slate this year is ‘Tea With The Dead’ which is about an undertaker having a cup of tea with a client after preparing her for her funeral. The short is written and directed by Gary Gill and produced by Susan Broe.
The Palm Springs International Shortfest will run from 16-22 June 2015.