Women in Film & Television Ireland (WFT Ireland), in partnership with the Irish Film Institute (IFI) and supported by Coimisiún na Meán and Screen Ireland, is proud to present IFI Brief Encounters: The WFT Ireland 2025 Members Short Film Showcase on Monday, 8 December at the IFI.
Now in its 8th year, the Showcase celebrates the diverse and dynamic work being created by women filmmakers in Ireland today. This year’s programme features nine short films, highlighting the breadth and strength of work being made by both new and established women filmmakers in and from Ireland.
Chair of WFT Ireland and President of WIFTI, Dr Susan Liddy, reflects on another great year for submissions:
“Once again, we were thrilled to receive so many submissions for the WFT Short Film Showcase. The talent in our membership is hugely impressive and reaches new heights every year. Thank you all so much for entrusting your work to us. Know that it was a very difficult task to select just a handful of films for the programme. Hard choices had to be made and the overall coherence of the programme was, of necessity, to the fore in the final selection. We wish you well and encourage you to keep going. We’re here to support you whatever way we can on your journey.”
Showcase Tickets: WFT members – check your emails for ticket details or email info@wft.ie to secure your ticket today!
The 2025 Showcase Programme will feature:
Heartsick
Following the end of a significant relationship, Jess is left reeling. In order to put shape on her slowly spiralling life, Jess decides to pen an email to her former person detailing just how fine she is. HEARTSICK is a bittersweet break-up story with a twist.
- Director: MK Quane
- Writer: MK Quane
- Producers: Aisling Malone, Lorraine Higgins
- DOP: Sean Doupe
- Key Cast: Heather O’Sullivan, Lauren O’Leary, John Doran
- Editor: Laura Briggs
Boobs
After years of therapy confronting her struggles with body image, Irish artist Geraldine Carton embarks on a bold project – to paint 100 nude breast portraits from the female perspective — embracing the spectrum of race, gender identity, disability, age and sexual orientation. This is a radical step in a country which has had a long history of conservative attitudes towards women’s bodies. Through the honest stories of the women who step forward to be painted, Boobs becomes more than a documentary—it’s a call for visibility, a platform for resilience, and an uprising for radical self-love.
- Director: Nicola Leddy
- Writer: Nicola Leddy
- Producer: Zlata Filipovic, Anna Rodgers
- Cinematographer: Alba Fernandez
- Original Music: Eimear MacCarrick
- Editor: Grainne Creighton
For the Love of Women
A young woman’s walk home turns into a tense psychological journey as she navigates the instinctive fears all women carry in the presence of an unknown man. Familiar fear, unfamiliar face – every woman knows this.
- Director: Órla James Morris Toolen
- Writer: Órla James Morris Toolen
- Producer: Claudia McCormick
- Key Cast: Jordanne Jones
Glitch
A comedy adventure story for young children about an isolated girl who spends every day staring at her tablet. But when the girl next door gets taken over by a friendly alien, she goes on an adventure and discovers the thrills, fun and wonder that the real world has to offer.
- Director: Bonnie Dempsey
- Writers: Rodney Lee
- Producers: Nuala Carr
- Key Cast: Matilda Gavin, Amy Rose O’Hanlon
- Composer: Sarah Lynch
- Director of Photography: Tom Comerford
Shelter
Three women thrown together by world events forge a meaningful connection. Forced beyond the spoken word through the unifying lens of a child, they find shared humanity, resilience and strength.
- Directors: Leah Egan, Sara Ryan
- Writer: Leah Egan
- Producers: Leah Egan, Louise Richardson
- Key Cast: Leah Egan, Marta Karelina, Maria Tropnikova
- Director of Photography: Jaro Waldeck
- Composer: Eimear MacCarrick
- Editor: Luke Garnham
Brown Bread
Aine’s return to her rural Irish hometown from New York sparks a poignant reflection on ambition, love, guilt, family tensions and the price we pay for success.
- Director: Shaunagh Connaire
- Writer: Shaunagh Connaire
- Producer: Julie Ryan
- Key Cast: Fionnula Flanagan, Katie McGrath, Dermot Crowley
- Director of Photography: Carol Tormey
Would You Rather
After recovering from a mental breakdown, a young woman shows up uninvited to a friend’s gathering, where a game of Would You Rather threatens to push her over the edge.
- Director: Sophie O’Donovan
- Writer: Sophie O’Donovan
- Producer: Aoibhín Murphy
- Key Cast: Enya Donohue, Jana Mohieden
I See a Voice
A Deaf woman struggles in the aftermath of her father’s passing. Friendship, an unexpected turn of events and a simple moment of connection are her salvation.
- Director: Leah Egan
- Writer: Leah Egan
- Producers: Leah Egan, Aaron Eccles, Drawn in Pen Productions
- Key Cast: Lisa Kelly, Emma Barrow, Ann Marie Horan, Keira O’Connell, Steven White
- Director of Photography: Jass Foley
Nicknames Dublin
Everybody has nicknames and experiences with nicknames. This short documentary explores nicknames of people on the streets of Dublin, shining light on nicknames in different cultures, back stories behind given nicknames and people’s opinions on nicknames.
- Director: Jo Lane
- Writer: Jo Lane
The screening will be followed by an awards ceremony, with prizes for:
Best Writing, Best Actor, Best Documentary, Best Cinematography and Best Film.
Showcase Tickets: WFT members – check your emails for ticket details or email info@wft.ie to secure your ticket today!
Drinks & Networking
Following the screenings and awards ceremony, all WFT Ireland members are warmly invited to join us for a networking reception with drinks at the IFI. This annual gathering is a highlight of the Showcase, offering a relaxed opportunity to connect with fellow filmmakers, celebrate the finalists and meet collaborators from across the industry. We encourage all members to come along, support the filmmakers and enjoy an evening of community and conversation!
WFT Ireland is a membership-based organisation advocating for gender equity and supporting women working across the screen industries. Through regular workshops, panels, training sessions, and member-led events, WFT strives to uplift and spotlight the achievements of women and non-binary creators at every stage of their careers.
WFT Ireland Chair Dr Susan Liddy also serves as President of WIFT International, strengthening global connections between Irish filmmakers and international partners such as IMDbPro, The Writers Lab and Content London.
