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.”
The 2025 Showcase Programme will feature:
Heartsick
- 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
- Director: Nicola Leddy
- Writer: Nicola Leddy
- Producer: Zlata Filipovic
- Cinematographer: Alba Fernandez
- Original Music: Eimear MacCarrick
- Editor: Grainne Creighton
For the Love of Women
- Director: Órla James Morris Toolen
- Writer: Órla James Morris Toolen
- Producer: Claudia McCormick
- Key Cast: Jordanne Jones
Glitch
- Director: Bonnie Dempsey
- Writers: Rodney Lee, Rodney Colin Lee
- Producers: Nuala Carr, David O’Sullivan
- Key Cast: Matilda Gavin, Amy Rose O’Hanlon
- Composer: Sarah Lynch
Shelter
- 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
- 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
- Director: Sophie O’Donovan
- Writer: Sophie O’Donovan
- Producer: Aoibhín Murphy
- Key Cast: Enya Donohue, Jana Mohieden
I See a Voice
- 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
- 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.
*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!
Ticketing: WFT members – ticket details to come very soon, keep an eye out for your exclusive tickets!
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.
For more information, visit www.wft.ie
