The NTA reflects on a successful Galway Film Fleadh last month!
We extend our heartfelt thanks to all our participants, partners, and esteemed guests for their support, time, knowledge, and keen insight. We would like to express special gratitude to the speakers and featured filmmakers of the ‘Spotlight on Shadowing and Mentoring’ event and the ‘Short Film Exchange’.
‘Spotlight on Shadowing and Mentoring’
A standout moment was our 'Spotlight on Shadowing and Mentoring' event, chaired by the writer Jennifer Davidson.
Our distinguished panelists included: Shaun O’Connor- Shadow Director (Whitetail), Shannon Welby- Shadow Director (The Gone), Alex DeValera- Sustainability Mentor, Daragh Goan- Sustainability Mentee, JJ Rolfe- DOP and Alba Fernandez- Shadow DOP (The Hardacres)
In collaboration with the Galway Film Fleadh and Fair we proudly hosted fifteen exceptional writers and producer/production companies at the Short Film Exchange. This exclusive opportunity allowed talents to connect through one-on-one meetings.
The writers and their projects included:
- Aoife Bradshaw (Master of Puppets)
- Barra Convery (Divil)
- Daragh Goan (Memoryhole)
- Gavin O'Herlihy (To Be a Bird)
- Gemma Creagh (Of Honour)
- Grattan Aikins (Slice)
- Jonathan Hughes (Yes Chef)
- Laoisa Sexton (Little Bitch)
- Niamh Sauter-Cooke (Bedsheets)
- Pippa Molony (Lifeboy)
- Sara Sulej (How to Stay)
- Seán Connolly (The Cure)
- Seán Treacy (Save Me from Heaven)
- Valerie Ni Loinsigh (Listen to The Tick Talk)
- Van Poynton (You Two)
The producers & production companies included:
- David Deignan
- Eamon Hughes (Samson Films)
- Freddie O'Donoghue (Wild Atlantic Pictures)
- Jack Hickey (Copper Alley Productions)
- Kat Green & Ciara Costello (Wonderfly Films)
- Lin Hong & Cashell Horgan (Made Image Films)
- Meredith Riley Stewart & Tara L. Craig (Halcyon Content)
- Oonagh Quinn
- Philip Emo & Killian Casey (All My Friends)
- Richard Keane (Out Left Productions)
- Eamon Keane (Maglite Films)
- Stacey Burns
- Steve Sheehy (Taller Stories)
- Tilly Towler
- Tom Hopkins (Seeone)
Equally, we were honored to contribute to several panels and discussions across the festival:
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Lorraine Higgins of Crew West at Screen Ireland’s Fleadh Forum, discussing 'Donegal as a Sustainable Filmmaking Hub.'
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Jade Travers of Crew East, participating in 'The Work-Life Balance' panel hosted by Screen Producer Ireland & Screen Guilds.
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NTA VFX supporting 'The VFX Sector in Ireland – Now & Next' panel.
Beyond panels and sessions, we hosted two vibrant networking opportunities and event:
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A Networking Coffee Morning for Film & TV Drama, Crew, Animation, and the newly announced Academy for VFX.
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A post-Short Film Exchange networking reception exclusively for Shorts filmmakers, hosted by NTA Film & TV Drama.
We extend our deepest gratitude to the Galway Film Fleadh and Galway Film Fair for their support and for hosting us. This year's festival was a phenomenal platform for fostering talent and creativity in the film industry. Congratulations to the Fleadh and to all involved.
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For any questions, please email filmandtv@nationaltalentacademies.ie
The National Talent Academies are an initiative of Screen Ireland/Fís Éireann