Short films The Invitation, produced and starred in by WFT members Sharon Lawless and Clare Monnelly, and Departure Time, produced by WFT Board member Fiona Kinsella, have been awarded funding under the dlr First Frames Scheme 2023/24. The films are due for completion in Autumn 2024.
In THE INVITATION, when a socially challenged teen gets an invite to his first party, his over-protective parents go to huge lengths to prepare him for what might happen next. Written by Niamh O’Connor, a crime journalist turned screenwriter, it will be directed by Sinéad O’Brien and produced by WFT member Sharon Lawless.
WFT Member Sharon Lawless is an award-winning producer, director and writer who has captivated audiences with hit series like The Killing Of Fr Niall Molloy, Inside the Hospice, Adoption Stories, and projects with RTÉ, Virgin Media, Screen Ireland and Coimisiún na Meán. Her books on the subjects of adoption, and the Fr. Molloy case, are bestsellers.
Actor Clare Monnelly (Moone Boy, Departure, The Gone), a WFT member herself, will also be involved in the project, saying: ‘I am so excited to get to work with an all-female team with Producer Sharon Lawless and Director Sinéad O’Brien.’
DEPARTURE TIME is set against the backdrop of modern Dublin and follows two despondent characters as they discover friendship and hope on the worst day of their lives. It is written and directed by Nicholl semi-finalist Neil Saul and produced by WFT Board member Fiona Kinsella and Megan Kelly for Tile Media. It is a dark comedy about coffee, connections and death.
WFT Board member Fiona Kinsella is a graduate of UCC, UCD and TU Dublin with over twenty-five years’ experience in the Irish and International Film and Television Industry producing commercials for brands like Carlsberg, O2 and Jameson as well as working on large international productions like Saving Private Ryan. She has been working as Head of Production for Tile Media since 2021.
Cathaoirleach of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Cllr. Denis O’Callaghan stated:
“DLR First Frames supports the emerging talent in filmmaking in the County – several of the previously funded shorts have gone on to win awards and screen in international festivals. We’re really pleased to include an Irish language short for the first time too.”
Chief Executive of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Frank Curran added:
“This Scheme is fully funded by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council’s Arts Office and Economic Development Unit and managed by IADT. Mentoring support and additional equipment and facilities is provided by the National Film School, IADT; this is a great example of ongoing successful collaboration between the two institutions to support emerging filmmakers at this crucial stage of their careers.”
dlr First Frames is fully funded by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council’s Arts Office and Economic Development Unit and managed by IADT. Mentoring support as well as additional equipment and facilities will be provided by the National Film School, IADT.
