Director Shimmy Marcus’s latest short film ‘Hannah Cohen’s Holy Communion’ has picked up five international awards in the last three weeks for Best Short at The Door County, CineGael Montreal, Washington Jewish, and the Chicago Irish film festival.
The film has also been named a finalist in the Robinson’s International Short Film Competition with $10,000 on offer to the winner. Marcus who is being flown out to Pittsburgh for the final is thrilled with the film’s success: “That audiences are responding so warmly is especially gratifying. It is also great that the film is connecting so well with international audiences.”
Set in Dublin in the 1970’s the film tells the story of a spirited young girl desperate to make her Holy Communion. The only problem is she’s Jewish. ‘Hannah Cohen’s Holy Communion’ stars Lucy Sky Dunne as the title character Hannah Cohen, Elaine Cassidy (The Others), and Jim Sheridan (In America).
The short was financed by The Pears Foundation Short Film Fund at UK Jewish Films and the balance of the budget was raised through Crowdfunding. Written by fellow Dubliner Lana Citron, Marcus produced with Rachel Lysaght of Underground Films, with Cathal Watters on camera and Lee Hickey editing at Windmill Lane who handled all post production duties. Golden Globe nominated composer Brian Byrne provided the score.
Marcus, who has also just completed a new 1 hour arts documentary for TV3 called ‘A Disconnected Rhythm’ with John Kelleher Media, is currently in development on a new feature film. He is also gearing up for production on 5 Cornerstone Promos in conjunction with The Programme for Screen Acting at The Factory where he is Creative Director.
‘Hannah Cohen’s Holy Communion’ airs on RTE 2 on May 5th as part of the Shortscreen series.
A trailer for the film can be viewed below:
