Self-Distribution Masterclass – Get Your Films on the Big Screen
Inspired by the independent journey of their feature Swing Bout—which premiered at the Dublin International Film Festival and recently made its streaming debut on Apple TV+—writer/director Maurice O'Carroll and producer/actor Sinéad O'Riordan will demystify the process of self-distribution and getting your film onto the big screen. They will share key insights and practical tips to benefit all independent filmmakers.
This is a free event, but booking is recommended.
Speakers
Maurice O’Carroll
Maurice is a writer, director, editor, and producer from Tralee, County Kerry, and an alumnus of Screen Ireland’s Advanced Producing programme. He has created several award-winning films, the cult web series Sucking Diesel, and the indie feature Dead Along The Way. His most recent feature, Swing Bout, premiered at the Dublin International Film Festival before a four-week cinema run in Ireland and a subsequent streaming release. Made on a low budget and outside the traditional funding system, the film employed a resource-driven production model with minimal unit moves and 360-degree lighting setups. Maurice is currently developing two new television drama projects alongside his film work.
Sinéad O’Riordan
Sinéad is an award-winning Irish actress, producer, and founder of ORion Productions. She holds degrees in engineering and producing, along with a LAMDA diploma, and is PRO of Screen Cork.
She stars as a scheming boxing coach in Swing Bout—her first feature lead and producer credit—which earned her a DIFF 2024 Discovery Award nomination. The film premiered at DIFF, won Best Picture at the Paladino d’Oro Sports Film Festival, ran for four weeks in Irish cinemas, and is now streaming on Apple TV, Prime Video, and YouTube.
Her screen credits include The Dry (Element Pictures), The Curers (BFI/NI Screen), MÍR, Conversations with My Dead Father, Sucking Diesel (Prime), Killers Within, and Dead Along the Way. She recently starred in The Forest Dreams of the Past (dir. Fiona Aryan).
As a producer, Sinéad co-produced the Puttnam Award-winning short Wireless and the Screen Ireland–funded Conversations with My Dead Father. She has also worked as an EPK Producer on major Netflix and Apple TV projects including Lift and Swagger.
Key Dates and Duration:
Venue: ANAM Arts and Cultural Centre, Killarney, Co. Kerry, V93 D628
Date: October 16, 2025
Time: 1:30–2:30 PM
This is a free event, but booking is recommended. Tickets can be booked HERE.
Please note: places are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Additional Industry Sessions on October 16
Workshop: Resilience & Self-Management for Freelancers in Film – 2:45 PM
The film industry and the creative sector in general can be a challenging career path for freelancers. In this workshop, Brian O'Regan will offer practical advice and insights to help freelancers navigate the industry and find their own path. This workshop is held in collaboration with Minding Creative Minds.
The Road to Completion – How an Independent Feature Gets Made – 4:00 PM
A real-world case study from co-directors Adam O’Keefe and Edwin Mullane, along with co-producer Mo O’Connell, who will break down the development and funding journey of their project. This event is kindly supported by Screen Ireland.
Sessions are free, but booking is recommended. Tickets can be booked HERE.
About Kerry International Film Festival
Kerry International Film Festival (KIFF) is an annual film festival held in the picturesque town of Killarney, Kerry. Led by a small but mighty team of staff and volunteers, KIFF champions diverse and unique storytelling through a compelling programme of Irish and international features, documentaries, and short films.
KIFF is proudly supported by its Headline Sponsor Kerry Airport, alongside principal funders The Arts Council of Ireland and Kerry County Council, industry partners Screen Ireland and National Talent Academies, and in association with Fáilte Ireland and Wild Atlantic Way.
KIFF 2025 runs from 16–19 October. Tickets for KIFF 2025 will be available HERE on Tuesday 23rd September.
Further Information
Please address any questions to – filmandtv@nationaltalentacademies.ie
The National Talent Academy for Film and TV is an initiative of Screen Ireland managed by Ardán.
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