WISHING THE FIRST CUT! YOUTH FILM FESTIVAL 2024 THE BEST OF LUCK.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING THE CREATIVITY AND EMERGING TALENT THIS FESTIVAL SHOWCASES.
Welcome to the 15th edition of the First Cut! Youth Film Festival! We are absolutely thrilled to have you join us for this incredible celebration of creativity, talent, and teamwork.
A whole decade ago, First Cut found its forever home in the charming and historic town of Youghal, Co. Cork. This beautiful seaside town is not just a festival venue to us; it’s part of the very fabric of First Cut, with a rich filmmaking history dating back to the earliest days of moving pictures.
Festivals are more than just events, they are a celebration of our humanity, a welcome space in our busy lives where we can step outside the ordinary to discover, create, celebrate, and connect.
This festival is special; it’s a living, breathing showcase of the vibrant creativity of our young filmmakers. It’s a celebration of the hard work and creativity that goes into making these films happen.
At First Cut! It is important to us that this festival serves as a resource for young people, offering opportunities to learn, experience mentorship, and participate in workshops covering various aspects of filmmaking, it is also about bringing together people with a shared interest and passion. Networking and collaboration are at the heart of what we do.
The festival is of course also about watching films and it is about learning, developing, finding your voice, and fostering relationships with other filmmakers, both emerging and professional, with festivals and actors in the film world.
We have an amazing Youth Advisory Council in place, making sure that young voices are not just heard but actively shape the festival. We’re committed to including and involving young people from all backgrounds, especially those who might be at risk of exclusion.
Young people engage with filmmaking in different ways, as individuals or as part of a school or youth group. We hope that our comprehensive six-day programme includes all these different stages from their first film to those launching their careers as film directors!
This wonderful diversity makes for a great programme featuring 12-year-old animators on the inaugural day and culminating with the participation of those aged 20 and above on the verge of entering the film industry on our open day, Saturday 9th and every level in between!
All events on the final day are offered free of charge, with no requirement for prior booking. We extend a warm invitation to all to join us at the exquisite Regal Cinema. Your presence is a really important part of what we do and we look forward to welcoming you.
Mary McGrath Festival Director
A huge thank you to the local businesses in our brochure. You are our besties!
Youghal Rotary Club
Brookes SuperValu
Goodness Me Health Store
Youghal Sports & Leisure Bike Shop
The Walter Raleigh Hotel
Hegarty Properties Midleton
Sage Café and Deli
Cal Flavin Topline
Roma Grill
Ballymaloe
Youghal Pharmacy
The Red Store
Living Youghal
Clockgate Pharmacy
Doyle’s Traditional Takeaway
Murphy Insurances Youghal Ltd
Alan Prim Books
Coleman Footwear
The support of the local business community is very much appreciated.
Without the Youghal business community who support the festival and enable it to grow and thrive, the First Cut! Youth Film Festival would not be possible. To become a friend of the festival, please contact us:
T: +353 86 813 9019 firstcutfilm@gmail.com firstcutfilmfestival.com
Tues 5th Weds 6th Thurs 7th Fri 8th Sat 9th
Mon 4th
SCREEN 1 SCREEN 2 SCREEN 1 SCREEN 1 SCREEN 1 SCREEN 1 SCREEN 1 SCREEN 2 CAFÉ/SCREEN 3
Morning Animania 10am1pm Intinn 10am3pm Animania 10am1pm Schools & Youth Groups 10:301pm Cork Young Filmmakers 10:30am-1pm Cork Young Filmmakers 10:30am-1pm Open Call 1 10:30 am Open Call 2 12pm
Future Lens All day (Regal Café)
Athrú Amháin! & Irish Language Programme 1.15pm-3pm Fusion 2pm Cork International Film Festival 1:30pm3:30pm
Intinn 1:30-3pm
Different Frames 3:40pm
Animania Family Screening 6:30pm -8:30pm Youghal Connections 7pm9pm YMVC 6:30
Awards Presentation 8pm
Reception 8:40 (Screen 3)
Afternoon
Evening
All screenings take place in the Regal Cinema, Youghal except for the First Cut International Programme, which will be available online from Monday March 4th –Sunday March 24th at firstcutfilmfestival.com/first-cut-international/
Saturday March 9th
Open Call – screen 1
10.30 Open Call Screening 1
11.40 – Q&A
12 – Open Call Screening 2
Cork International Film Festival Shorts – screen 2
1.30 – 3:00
Fusion - screen 1
2pm – 3:30
Different Frames: Special Guest Panel Discussion – screen 1
3.40 - 4:40
Spotlight – screen 1
4.45 – 6.20
YMVC – screen 1
6.30 - 7:50
Award Ceremony – screen 1
8:00 - 8:40
Reception – screen 3
8.40
Future Lens
Café – all day
The Youth Advisory Council (YAC) is a group of young people who share a special interest in film and bring their perspectives as young people to advise First Cut on how to improve the festival each year and make it relevant. They are responsible for selecting a Youth Advisory Council Award for a film from the open call programme. They also take on significant roles during the festival itself, feeding into the design and delivery of the programme and the presentation of events. In return, they get to meet like-minded peers and participate in specially designed workshops.
First Cut works to create an innovative, stimulating, and responsive programme that celebrates and connects young people through filmmaking, while constantly adapting to the changing needs of young people in developing their interest in filmmaking. We could not accomplish that without the participation of our amazing YAC!
Heather Barry, Adrian Corzo, Aislinn Cuffe, Mark Delaney, Tara Desmond, Muireann Forde, Orlanne Jallet, Maya Lupton, Thomas McNamara, Liam O’Leary, Kyra Owers, Dylan Sheehan, Dylan Shortt, Nora Twomey
The 18th Century Georgian Walter Raleigh Boutique Hotel is spectacularly located on the sea front promenade in the famous heritage town of Youghal in East Cork. The gateway to Ireland’s Ancient East.
The tranquil setting and beautiful scenery surrounding the Walter Raleigh Hotel offer the perfect backdrop for your wedding day. Youghal’s inviting Green Park with panoramic coastal views provides exciting opportunities for beautiful photographs. From the early stages of planning to the big day, you’ll find that our professional management team is able to offer invaluable advice on all aspects of this memorable occasion, to make your wedding in Youghal and East Cork just perfect.
Saturday 9th March, all day, The Regal Cinema
Each year, a tailor-made workshop is curated exclusively for the Youth Council. In the 2024 edition, artist Andrew McSweeney led an in-person session, delving into the realm of “Future Lens: New Technologies and Immersive Storytelling with Virtual Reality (VR).” When proposed to the 2024 Youth Advisory Council, the participants responded with great enthusiasm to this rare opportunity to engage with cutting-edge image technology.
The workshop provided an overview of new technologies in filmmaking, Visual Effects (VFX), gaming, and VR, promising an exciting culmination of collective efforts in one masterpiece.
One participant remarked, “This was very eyeopening, and we learned a lot about newer methods used in the film industry. We got to film our own short movies using a 360 camera: I absolutely loved the VR side of the workshop; we got to try the VR headset and play around with it, gaining insight into how designs for games and certain films are made. We also got to make our own scans from pictures on an app on our phone. Overall, I think this workshop was really fun and interesting.”
The collective efforts of workshop participants will culminate in one exciting masterpiece! Their creations - 3D models, videos, images, and sound
pieces—will seamlessly blend into an awe-inspiring VR experience.
On Saturday 9th March the festival will showcase this collaborative effort, presenting a mesmerizing piece of storytelling, innovation, and artistic expression.
Andrew McSweeney completed a BA in Fine Art at CIT Crawford College of Art & Design (2015) and an MA in Interdisciplinary Design Practice (2021) from the Limerick School of Art & Design. Recent shows include the group exhibition Data | Art, June (2023) at The Lord Mayor’s Pavilion, Cork, Work | Force | Field at A4 Sounds, Dublin (August 2023), an interactive virtual reality application at the Earth Rising: IMMA Outdoors: Eco Festival (September 2023) at the Irish Museum of Modern Art, Dublin. McSweeney is one of 12 artists who have contributed to the recently published book Digital Art in Ireland: Reflections & Visuals (November 2023) // J O’Sullivan, A.McCarthy) by Blackwater Publishing & Sample-Studios.He was awarded the XaRt commission (2024) in collaboration with the MTU Arts Office CREATE Le Chéile fund and the NExIS research team. He was supported by the Irish Arts Council in 2021/2022 and is a studio member
Animation plays a major part in First Cut! Youth Film Festival because nothing conveys the magic of cinema like animation. That’s why we open the festival every year with a programme dedicated to animation for a local primary and secondary school audience.
This year First Cut! Youth Film Festival provided animation workshops to over 300 young people in thirteen schools in Youghal and Midleton: Bunscoil Mhuire, Gaelscoil Choráin, Kyle National School, Kilcredan National School, Clonpriest National School, South Abbey National School, Inch National School, Pobalscoil na Tríonóide, St. John The Baptist National School, Midleton College, St. Colmans Community College and Midleton Educate Together National School, plus Greywood Arts Youth Club.
In Youghal, working with tutors Lisa McDonald, Bekah Bustos and Shane Joyce the workshops covered all the basic principles of Pixelation animation.
In Midleton, Flip Fest with animator Belinda Walsh enabled participants to create their own hand drawn flip books and optical toys. The resulting short animations get their first screening today!
First Cut! would like to thank all participating schools for their support of these workshops which were made possible through the generous support of The Arts Council, Cork County Council, Youghal Credit Union and the YIFM Network.
Belinda Walsh is a visual artist who graduated from Crawford College of Art and Design. Her special interest is in the use of stop motion animation techniques as a wonderful platform to encourage children and adults to communicate stories, ideas and concepts. She is one of the founders and coordinators of Midleton Arts Festival.
Lisa McDonald is an Irish animator and director. She graduated withis an Irish Animator and Director. She teaches experimental practices and facilitates portfolio evaluation for the Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art and Design. She has spent the past number of years studying both Animation and Fine Art and finds her passion as a Filmmaker in the combination of the two.
Rebekah Bustos is an IAD Design for Stage and Screen graduate working professionally as a Production Designer/Art Director and Visual Artist in Ireland. She works closely with those she collaborates with to create striking sets and designs that accentuate the visuals of a project.
Shane Joyce is an emerging midwest based filmmaker and cinematographer. Having shot and directed multiple award winning short films he has recently finished shooting his first feature length documentary. With hopes to start a production company he is eager to develop his craft, collaborate with new directors and artists to create meaningful projects and relationships.
Wishing First Cut! a Wonderful Festival!
Meet Mary O’Hara! She is a sharp and cheeky 12-year-old Dublin schoolgirl and the Young Chef with Big Dreams!
This beautiful animated film takes us on a heartwarming journey with Mary who has a passion for cooking that’s as big as her dreams! Join her and her super-cool grandmother, Emer, as they cook up a recipe for adventure.
In this enchanting tale, follow four generations of amazing women on a road trip like no other. Imagine midnight car rides, a ghost granny, and mysterious messages!
A Greyhound of a Girl is not just any movie—it’s a winner! It recently scooped up 1st Prize for Best Animated Feature Film at the Chicago International Children’s Film Festival! It has been nominated for even more awards at the European Film Awards! This movie was brought to life by the fantastic teams at JAM Media’s studios in Dublin and Belfast as well as other animation production companies across Europe.
Join the Adventure - You Won’t Want to Miss It!
This is not just a movie; it’s a magical experience for young people of all ages. So, grab your popcorn, gather your friends and family, and be prepared to be whisked away on a journey filled with joy, laughter, and a whole lot of heart!
Wednesday 6th, 10.30am, Regal Screen 1
Wednesday 6th, 10.30am, Regal Screen 1
Secondary schools and youth groups are where many young people get their first chance to make a film. This programme showcases the quality and variety of films made in schools and youth groups throughout Ireland.
Game On (County Wexford Youth Film Project)
The Worst Nightmare (Cathal Landers & Ufuoma Ajakari/Pobalscoil na Tríonóide, Youghal)
Loveblox (Instituto America Larina Isidro Casano, Argentina)
Chrysalis (Coco John-Baptiste & Graziela Goncalves/Octavia Foundation & Base Productions, UK)
Samhain (Amber Hornick/County Wexford Youth Film Project)
Work (Adam Hackett)
3:33 (Instituto America Larina Isidro Casano, Argentina)
Il Monstra Scoula (Coláiste an Phiarsaigh, Cork)
Youghal Youthreach Shows You How (Youghal Youthreach/Catherine Hol)
We’re Here and We’re Free (STEP Cork YMCA Students working with Dervla Baker/Glucksman Gallery)
Amor Fantastico (Ines & Elena/Terence McSwiney College, Cork)
Off the Rails (Youthreach Mahon, Cork/Catherine Hol)
Continuity (Killinarden Community School, Dublin)
Turkey Shoot (Youthreach Dean St, Cork/Catherine Hol)
Silent Night (Sacred Heart Secondary School, Clonakilty)
Vendetta (Instituto America Larina Isidro Casano, Argentina)
Killing Billy (Liam Fitzgerald & James Power/Presentation Brothers College, Cork)
Look@Me - Making Sense (Strawberry Hill National School, Cork/Cork International Film Festival)
This screening will be accompanied by a panel discussion in which young people from Pobalscoil na Tríonóide, Sacred Heart Secondary School, Presentation Brothers College and Step YMCA group. It is moderated by filmmaker Claire Murphy.
First Cut’s first filmmaking through Irish competition, returns followed by a diverse programme of shorts in Irish from the First Cut Open Call. The event is rounded out with a special screening of Irish language films from the production company Nemeton.
Tá áthas ar First Cut! a fhógairt go bhfuil an chlár scannánaíochta trí Ghaeilge Athrú Amháin ar ais. Tionscnamh atá sa chomórtas seo do scannánóirí óga chun scannáin a dhéanamh i nGaeilge a théann i ngleic le hábhar an athraithe aeráide.
First Cut! is delighted to announce the return of its filmmaking through Irish programme Athrú Amháin. This competition is an initiative for young filmmakers to make films in the Irish language that tackle the urgent topic of climate change. This year we opened this unique competition to two age groups: 12 to 14 and 15 to 18, working individually or in groups. They were invited to make and submit their one-minute-long films in the Irish language that explore environmental issues and how to make our world a more sustainable place. Any approach to this theme was welcome.
All films made as part of Athrú Amháin are screened today, the competition winners will be announced. In addition, this year, we piloted four in-person workshops with Coláiste Ghobnatan - Baile Mhic Íre, Coláiste an Phiarsaigh - Glanmire, Pobalscoil na Tríonóide - Youghal and Gaelscoil an Ghoirt Álainn - Mayfield. These workshops were led by filmmakers Seamus O Suilleabháin and Máire Ní Dhuinnín, working with Lisa Mc Donald and Chris Hurley, Cork Film Centre
Is scannánóir il-ghradam é Seamus O Suilleabháin. Rugadh agus tógadh sé i gCúil Aodha i nGaeltacht Mhúscraí, ceantar atá préamhaithe sa chultúr, sa cheol, sa tsean-nós agus sa Ghaoluinn. Taréis do an Ard Teist a bhaint amach chaitheas bliain in Arm Cosanta na hÉireann, agus ina dhiaidh san thugas a aghaidh ar shlí beatha a bhaint amach i réimse na teilefíse. Leis an dtaithí agus na scileanna a bhaineas amach i UCC agus OEG fé’m ghlaic fuaireas a chéad post ag obair le Telegael sa Spidéal, comhlucht léirithe fiséain d’ardcháil agus cliú go bhfuil gradam Emmy baint amach acu. As san thugas a aghaidh ar Nemeton atá lonnaithe i nGaeltacht na nDéise a soláthraíonn réimse leathan cláracha do TG4 agus RTÉ.
Seamus is an award-winning Irish filmmaker. Born in gCúil Aodha, Seamus works within the Irish language to produce his work, constantly working to promote and preserve its usage. He now works in close relationship with Nemeton, producing programs for TG4 and RTÉ.
Ina theannta sin, cuirfear ceardlanna gearrscannán saor in aisce ar fáil ó Arann Bradstock do gach duine óg agus grúpaí atá ag glacadh páirt. Tabharfaidh na gearrscannán iad trí na céimeanna chun a gcuid scannán aon nóiméad féin a dhíríonn ar réitigh ar athrú aeráide a cruthú. Is féidir scannáin a cruthú trí úsáid a bhaint as cibé trealamh a bhfuil ag rannpháirtithe, fóin chliste san áireamh, mar sin ní bac í an teicneolaíocht. Ni caithfear aon taithí scannánaíochta roimh ré.
In addition, free on-demand and specially made short filmmaking workshops, from Arran Bradstock were made available to all participating young people and groups. Arran is a Cork filmmaker and musician. He completed an MA in Experimental Sound Practice at UCC and is currently working on a practice-based PhD in Composition where his focus is producing experimental films.
First Cut’s celebration of the popularity of Irish language filmmaking continues with a diverse programme of shorts in Irish from the First Cut Open Call and special presentation of films from the Nemeton training course. The First Cut 2024 Award for Best Irish Language Film will be presented.
Gnó an Rí (Malachaí Ó Ciardhubháin)
Comhaontú (Mary O’Leary)
Homofónia (Luke K. Murphy)
An Bhabóg Bheo (The Living Doll) (Katie McElligott Ryan) Numb (Reuben Armstrong
Nemeton is a production company with a difference. Their HQ is in Waterford and their Scottish base is in Glasgow. Their collective Celtic spirit makes them an unconventional blend of passionate creatives, savvy techies and confident dealmakers. They produce great content for TV and the web, deliver content via satellite & streaming and we train and educate people in all of this. Filmmaker Lia Nic Craith will introduce this programme.
Coimhlint Chroí (Fiona Ni Chiadhra)
Ultra (Lia Nic Craith)
Siondróm Sonas (Seán Dowd)
Fri April 23rd, 8pm
Thursday 7th, 6.30pm, The Regal Cinema
Thursday March 7th, 6.30pm, The Regal Cinema
An evening out at the cinema for all the family!
This programme is an exciting opportunity for our youngest animators to proudly share their very first short films with family and friends at the beautiful Regal Cinema. Their shorts are followed by the animated feature A Greyhound of a Girl. This is not just a movie; it’s a magical experience for young people of all ages.
The event is free, but because places are strictly limited - booking in advance is essential to avoid disappointment. We expect that places will fill up fast!
Book here: https://firstcutfilmfestival.com/first-cutfamily-screening/
For the past seventeen years, the Cork Young Filmmakers (CYF) programme has been bringing hands-on filmmaking workshops annually to hundreds of young people throughout County Cork. This screening showcases films made in schools during 2023/24 by the creative young people participating in these workshops, which give them a first-hand opportunity to express themselves through film.
Locker 402 (Carrignafoy Community College, Cobh)
Ghosted (Coláiste na Toirbhirte, Bandon)
Knock, Knock, Knock (Coláiste Muire, Crosshaven)
Dead Write (Coláiste Muire, Crosshaven)
WazzApp? (Kinsale Community School)
Wizard of Disappearance (Kinsale Community School)
Broken Reflection (McEgan College, Macroom)
Flora & Fauna (McEgan College, Macroom)
Shadow Play (Millstreet Community School)
Circle of Friends (Mount St. Michael’s Secondary School, Rosscarbery)
Hollow Hallways (Patrician Academy, Mallow)
Missing (Presentation Secondary School, Mitchelstown)
Booked (Coláiste Fionnchua, Mitchelstown)
Crazy Test (Clonakilty Community College)
Killer Piano (Clonakilty Community College)
Amharclann na dTaibhsí (Coláiste Ghobnatan, Baile Mhic Ire)
Pendemonium (Coláiste Muire, Crosshaven)
Nut Job (Coláiste Treasa, Kanturk)
Book Club (Midleton CBS Secondary School)
Buttons (Pobalscoil na Tríonóide, Youghal)
Spíodóirí? (Scoil Muire, Ballingeary)
Time Lapse (St. Brogan’s College, Bandon)
Do It Now! (St. Colman’s Community College, Midleton)
CYF is a Cork County Youth Arts Training Programme managed by Cork Film Centre. The programme receives funding from Cork County Council, The Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíon and is supported by SECAD, Cork ETB and Creative Ireland. Summer Filmmaking Programmes are supported by the Cork County Council Community Fund and the Local Creative Youth Partnership, (LCYP). This programme will be accompanied by an inspiring selection of short films from throughout the festival Panel
The screening will be followed by a panel discussion in which workshop participants discuss their films and their experiences of making them.
Friday March 8th, 7pm, The Regal Cinema
An evening of inspiring short films followed by a thought-provoking Q&A with the filmmakers.
Youghal Connections brings together wonderful stories firmly rooted in Ireland. Linked together by the seaside town of Youghal, its beautiful beaches, nearby forests and its growing filmmaking community, we are proud to showcase a mix of shorts and documentaries by outstanding local talent. Most of the films were shot locally, and two were even long-listed for an Academy Award.
A departure from our youth programming, First Cut! invites an adult audience to come and enjoy this carefully curated selection of short films. Like always, entry is free of charge, no booking necessary.
The Story of the Horgan Brothers (Darina Clancy)
This is the story of the Horgan Brothers from Youghal, who worked in step with the Lumiere brothers of France to produce one of the most important collections in the Irish Film archive. Pioneers of Irish cinema, their story has never been told on screen until now.
Two for the Road (Lochlainn McKenna)
Amidst spontaneous travels around 1990s Ireland, Oscar finds himself navigating the true essence of adventure and chaos with his father, one spirited weekend away at a time.
Lamb (Sinead O’Laughlin)
An ordinary day takes a sinister turn for a woman and her young child when a stranger walks into their isolated rural home.
Coillte (Irene Tanner)
This cinematic exploration of conifer plantations, narrated by the filmmaker in Irish, is a personal lament for Ireland’s lost cultural and natural heritage.
Yellow Belt (Allyn Quigly)
As his parents separate, a young boy on the cusp of adolescence develops an unrealistic crush on an older teenage girl in his Taekwondo class but soon finds out that no matter what age you are, love can sometimes hurt.
Friday March 8th, 7pm, The Regal Cinema
Darina Clancy is a Producer Director at Cormorant Films, with almost 30 years experience in production across many disciplines. In 2023 her series Cois Moire, a 4 hour travel series along the stunning Blackwater river in Munster, was nominated for best factual series at the RTS awards. She has also been nominated for 2 IFTAS in 2013 and 2015. Her 2020 documentary on Irish Fishing, Gafa Sna Lionta, was the most watched factual documentary on the TG4 player. She also Produced and Directed the Irish Coast Guard documentary that year An Garda Cósta - Ar nInsint Féin, which covered the aftermath of the loss of 5 crew from the organisation including the crash of R116 rescue helicopter.
Aisling Malone (Producer, Yellow Belt)
Aisling Malone is creative producer based in Cork and Dublin. Her filmography includes music videos and award-winning short films. Her notable recent shorts are ‘Findlater’ and ‘Yellow Belt.’ Funded by Screen Ireland, ‘Yellow Belt’ premiered at the Cork International Film Festival, where it earned the Best Director Award. In 2023 Aisling was nominated in the Producer category at the 2023 Emerging Directors Award. She has a background in social justice and a masters in Gender Studies. Recently, she joined Raising Films Ireland, managing a pilot return to work scheme aimed at supporting individuals to re-enter the screen industry after taking a caring break.
Allyn Quigley is an Irish filmmaker based between Cork and Dublin. Since graduating from The National Film School in 2009,Allyn has directed a number of commercials, music videos and award winning short films that have screened at festivals around the world. In addition to this,Allyn has worked as editor on a number of high profile Irish independent films. The most recent being ‘Lakelands’, winner of Best Irish Film at the Galway Film Fleadh. In 2018 Allyn r eturned to The National Film School for an MA in Screenwriting, supported by a scholarship from the Warner Bros Creative Talent Programme. In 2019 Allyn directed ‘Moth’ which went on to win Best Irish Short Film at the Kinsale Shark Awards and earned him a nomination for the Virgin Media Discovery Award at the 2020 Dublin International Film Festival.Allyn’s most recent short film ‘Yellow Belt’ was funded as part of Screen Ireland’s Focus Shorts programme and premiered at the Cork International Film Festival where it received the award for Best Director.
Irene Tanner is a bilingual film artist with a background in advocacy. She works with moving image, archive material and sound to create socially and environmentally conscious films. Her work includes documentaries, poetry films, video instillations and advocacy video. Her most short film, ‘Coillte’ was funded by the Arts Council and premiered at IMMA’s Earth Rising Eco Festival in 2023.
Lochlainn McKenna is a director and writer from Cork City, Ireland, currently living and working out of London. McKenna works predominantly in advertising and has directed TV ads for brands such as Specsavers, Tesco, Guinness and Sky. He has shot in several countries across the world including Ethiopia and Ukraine and has directed commercials for the US, UK and Irish markets. He’s also directed music videos for the likes of Westlife and Keane and his music video work for Daithí was nominated for a UKMVA as well as winning him the ‘Best New Director’ Award at the prestigious Kinsale Shark Awards. Two For The Road, his 3rd short film, is based on his own tumultuous weekends as a child with his alcoholic, vagabond father. Initially a short story entitled Guinness & Coke, which was nominated for the 2020 RTÉ Francis McManus Short Story competition, he is currently developing that story into a book and, furthermore, a feature film.
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First Cut welcomes short films of every genre from young people of every background. The skill and imagination of young filmmakers shines through in the diverse and entertaining films that make up these programmes.
Programme 1
Saturday 9th, 10.30, Regal Screen 1
Disintegrate – The Cranked Amps (Kyra Owers)
Embankment (Sasha Greaves)
The Money Shot (Liam O’Leary)
Summer (Ellen McSweeney)
T&C’S (Aroush Imran)
Tendons to Trees (Ellen McSweeney & Abbi Henderson)
Devil May Care (Nora Twomey)
luv (Thomas McNamara)
Mopsie Eats a Suspicious Pill (Emmett O’Donovan)
New Year, New Me (Mark Delaney)
I Think (Rachel Griffin)
Programme 2
Saturday 9th, 12.00, Regal Screen 1
Embracing (Patrick O’Connor-Mason)
Spacepub (Young Irish Filmmakers (YIFM))
The Beautiful Earth (Eve Cullen)
Don’t Make a Sound (Gavin Gilligan & Sarah Walsh)
The Big Dentist (Padraig Fagin/Matchbox Mountain for New Horizon Athlone & Gateway Project)
Tomorrow (Áine Fahy)
Reminisce (Cian Conachy)
Are These Insects Happy? (Aoife Rees)
Under Your Wing (Alisha Shiels/Kildare Young Filmmakers)
Atlas (Max Hendrickson)
Ivy (Fiachra Cotter)
Panel Discussion:
Aroush Imran, Ellen McSweeney, Áine Fahy and Fiachra Cotter will discuss their work in a Q&A moderated by Pete Moles of Emerging Limerick Filmmakers.
Saturday 9th, 1.30pm, Regal Cinema 2
Saturday 9th, 1.30pm, Regal Cinema 2
Cork International Film Festival is once again delighted to partner with First Cut! Youth Film Festival to present a special programme of shorts that not only highlight the type of international filmmaking we champion, but also shines a light on some up-and-coming Irish filmmakers, one of whom, we are pleased to know, began their filmmaking journey here at First Cut! – Don O’Mahony, Senior Programmer, CIFF.
Canine (Paul Webster) - Ireland, 2023
Conservation has become a war. On one side are the rangers protecting vulnerable wildlife. On the other, ruthless poaching gangs. Half a world away, an elite dog trainer wants to use his skills to help the situation.
Nest (Hlynur Pálmason) - Denmark, 2022
A story of siblings building a treehouse together over the course of a year. We experience the beauty and brutality of the seasons, as we follow them through their struggles and moments of joy.
GHOSTS (LA (HORDE)) - France, 2022
When the Fine Arts Museum closes, figures take over the deserted place.
Cumha (Elena Horgan) - Ireland, 2023
An experimental film/poetic documentary that explores the intersections of language, land, and identity.
The Immeasurable Grief of the Prawn (Elinor O’Donovan) - Ireland, 2023
A cook serves a vegetarian a prawn curry. Three friends discuss the shortcomings of memory. Two squirrels ponder the ethical quandaries of eating a prawn sanga. Meanwhile, on the sea-floor, The Prawn performs a funerary ritual for its brethren.
The screening will be followed by a Q&A moderated by Don O’Mahony with filmmaker Elena Horgan and a key participant in Canine, Rory Hennebry
Meaning ‘mind’ or ‘way of thinking’ Intinn is a film and mental health programme offering Transition Year students the opportunity to explore mental health, personal well-being and strategies of resilience through film, and well-being workshops led by youth mental health specialists.
Supported by the Community Foundation Ireland through the RTÉ Toy Show Appeal, and developed by our partners at Cork International Film Festival in
Intinn Facilitator
Dr Johnny Goodwin has been working with Cork International Film Festival on the development of the Intinn programme since its inception in 2018. Dr Goodwin is a lecturer in mental health nursing in the School of Nursing and Midwifery, UCC. He holds an M.A in Film Studies. His PhD research focused on young people’s perceptions of mental health services. Johnny’s interests also include the use of the arts and creativity in mental health, young people & mental health, and mental health stigma.
An online Intinn package will also be available nationwide from Monday 11th March to Friday, 19th April. You can book access to the digital version of Intinn by contacting intinn@firstcutfestival.com
Emma Foley || Ireland || 2023 || 15 mins
After her attempted suicide, Hannah must face her emotionally repressed family. Believing that her relationship ending is the root cause of her recent struggles, they avoid talking about the “incident” at all costs.
The following workshop will give an overview on the topic of suicide in young people, the risk factors, things to look out for.
collaboration with University College Cork and supported by ESB Energy for Generations Fund, we are proud to present a new Intinn programme as part of the First Cut! Youth Film Festival programme for the first time.
Four in-person Intinn sessions will take place for schools. Each session will consist of a short-film screenings and related wellbeing workshop led by Dr. John Goodwin, Lecturer in Mental Health Nursing in the School of Nursing and Midwifery, UCC.
Following the film screenings, a workshop led by mental health professional Dr Johnny Goodwin, will address the themes of the chosen film, including practical tips about how to build resilience and enhance wellbeing.
Topics covered will also include the importance of authentic discussions about mental health, and appropriate supports. The workshops will help students to explore different mental health experiences, and to understand their own wellbeing and ways of developing personal coping and resilience skills.
Daniel John Harris || USA || 2023 || 8 mins
Finding himself bound, alone, and desperate to escape the waking nightmare surrounding him, Jared is forced to confront himself on an otherwise perfectly normal day. The workshop will give an overview of depression in young people, myths, the risk factors, signs and symptoms.
Saturday 9th, 2pm, Regal Cinema 1
Fusion is a diverse screening of short films made in youth programmes from across the country. Three of these are among the most established youth film organisations in Ireland: Cork Young Filmmakers (CYF), Wexford Youth Film Project and Kildare Young Filmmakers.
CYF offers week-long and two-day handson film workshops across Cork County each year. The resulting films are screened at Cork County Hall at an annual Gala event. Behind Closed Eyes and Tim Machine both received awards at last year’s Gala. The other CYF films in Fusion represent some of the diverse communities that CYF is proud to engage with. Both Wexford Youth Film Project and Kildare Young Filmmakers are veritable hothouses of youth filmmaking which produce a slate of wonderfully engaging films each year.
First Cut is committed to hearing the voices of young people of every background. A New Community was made in Clonakilty with young people from the Ukrainian community who reflect on their experiences of moving to Ireland. To round out Fusion, Rialto Youth Project offers a horror story guaranteed to provide a shiver!
A New Community (SECAD Sustainable Communities Training Programme)
Samhain (Amber Hornick/County Wexford Youth Film Project)
Game On (County Wexford Youth Film Project)
I Turn My Camera On (County Wexford Youth Film Project)
Freak (Rialto Youth Project)
Behind Closed Eyes (Bandon Week-long CYF Workshop)
Tim Machine (Cobh Week-long CYF Workshop)
Strictly Come Scaring (Midleton CYF Two-day Workshop)
The Convent (Beara UBU Foróige & Beara Community School Two-Day)
One Last Shot (Goleen Foróige Club with Ballydehob/Schull Foroige Club CYF Workshop)
Standoff (Greywood Arts Youth Club CYF Workshop)
Library Blues (Sean Colreavy Donnelly/Kildare Young Filmmakers)
Different Frames brings together a distinguished panel of filmmakers and curators to explore the boundless possibilities of alternative forms of filmmaking from distinctive points of view. Outside of the usual patterns of film storytelling there dwells a vast cinematic palette that falls under the loose category of ‘experimental’. This can include anything from artist films to music videos, the visionary to the intimate, the poetically personal to the radically political. Experimental film is currently enjoying an upsurge in both production and audience interest in Ireland. This eye-opening panel featuring visual artist Asha Murray, filmmakers Bob Gallagher and Maximilian Le Cain, and curator Daniel Fitzpatrick, will provide four inspiring insights into what film can be when seen through a different frame.
Asha Murray, born in 2001, is an Irish Artist. Asha graduated from The Limerick School of Art & Design in 2023 with BFA in Sculpture and Combined Media. As a multidisciplinary artist Asha creates experimental films in tandem with textile work of wool tufted collages. Mixing the two mediums have created a form of non-linear and non-conventional, experimental storytelling. Asha explores concepts surrounding Identity, memory, the internal conscious stream and emotions in relation to temporality. These ideas prompt her to experiment with narrative, through visual rhythmic collages of sounds and moving images and textiles.
Daniel Fitzpatrick is co-director of aemi. aemi is a Dublin-based initiative that supports and regularly exhibits moving image works by artists and experimental filmmakers. Since its formation in 2016 aemi’s key objective has been to provide support for artists working with the moving image in order to contribute to a developing infrastructure around these practices in Ireland. aemi is dedicated to expanding audiences for this material through regular curated programmes of Irish and international work with the intention of enriching the critical discourse that surrounds the wide range of activity in this area.
Bob Gallagher is an award-winning filmmaker declared a ‘good soldier of cinema’ by Werner Herzog and described by Totally Dublin as ‘one of the nation’s premiere creative forces in the visual arts’. Gallagher came to prominence as the creator of some of the most iconoclastic music videos to emerge from Ireland in recent years, collaborating with acts such as Gilla Band, Lankum and Villagers. His music videos have received international attention, and multiple awards. With a darkly experimental aesthetic, his work explores the psychological impacts of juxtaposing music and image, often in collaboration with artists from other disciplines. He is currently in pre-production on his debut feature drama ‘The Song Collector’.
Maximilian Le Cain has created a prolific body of experimental moving image work including features, shorts, installations and film-related performances which, according to VAI, “expand the expressive palette of Irish cinema”. He was the Arts Council/UCC Film Artist in Residence 2023. His most recent feature Solitaire (2023) premiered at Cork International Film Festival 2023 and recently played at the IFI. His filmmaking proposes a personal relationship with cinema as a site of haunting. He is affiliated with Experimental Film Society (EFS), an influential Dublin-based company dedicated to the production and distribution of experimental cinema. He is also a film programmer and critic. He currently co-curates CineSalon, a regular Corkbased experimental film evening.
Saturday 9th, 4.45pm, Regal Cinema 1
Saturday 9th, 4.45pm, Regal Cinema 1
Spotlight is First Cut’s Open Call programme celebrating the vision of emerging filmmakers of third level age. Some are in film courses, some are working independently, but all are significant upcoming talents to watch out for in the future.
Unseen Riders (George Lynch & Kristína Nebylová)
Dear Ishan (Ashish Prasai)
Did You Miss It? (Lawrence Cook)
Saint Death (Dara McManus)
Eilid (Naomi Elizabeth Hanlon)
Rationed (Wiktoria Weintritt)
Homofónia (Luke K. Murphy)
Rat King (Róisín Leahy-Sahin)
Lawrence Cook, Rat King writer Nina Devine, Homofónia producer/co-writer Alana Daly Mulligan and Naomi Elizabeth Hanlon will discuss their work in a panel moderated by producer Aisling Malone.
Saturday 9th, 6.30pm, Regal Cinema 1
First Cut continues to partner with award-winning director Brendan Canty for the eighth annual YMVC, a unique professional mentorship programme, which hothouses young film talent. A group of outstanding young filmmakers were selected in 2023 by directors Brendan Canty and Bob Gallagher for the opportunity to make a music video. These videos were then mentored by four of Ireland’s top directors: Brendan Canty, Bob Gallagher, Kate Dolan and Tara O’Callaghan. Each finalist was matched with a track from an up and coming Irish act. Thanks to the support of an Arts Council YPCE Project Award, YMVC 2023 offered participants stipends of €1000, and the winner of YMVC video will receive a €5000 bursary to kickstart their career!
At this event, we are delighted to welcome the filmmakers to the festival and share their videos with a live cinema audience. The 2023 YMVC award will be announced followed by a panel discussion with filmmakers and mentors, moderated by Max Le Cain, the YMVC coordinator.
Ankil - Absolute Decimation
Abreain Blake is a 23-year-old film graduate and creative based in Cork. Blake has experience in a multitude of art forms. She is a member of the band, Pretty Happy, & founded Angry Mom Collective in 2019. AMC was a collective that came together in an effort to raise awareness of the gender divide in the Irish Arts industry. She cares deeply about activism and creativity and tries to blend the two when making art
KHAKIKID - Lemon Baguette
Willow Kennedy is a whimsical music video and film director from Dublin, Ireland. With five years of experience, he has established himself as a creative force in the industry with his visually imaginative and playfully charged works. Willow’s unique approach to storytelling has caught the attention of both top and local musicians.
Wiktoria Weintritt is a Polish filmmaker and photographer currently studying at IADT. In 2020 she was awarded Best Director at First Cut for her first short film Brainboxed and a finalist at HER International Film Festival. Her next project Only If You Knew was a finalist at the 2021 Fresh Film Festival. Though she enjoys working in all fields of film her main areas of interest are cinematography, directing and editing.
The Scratch – Banshee
Ruairi is a director born and raised in Belfast. When he was 16, he was accepted into the NFTS residential in Beaconsfield under the mentorship of Brian Tufano and Lesley Manning. He moved to Dublin, where he co-founded 46A Productions. He has worked across various mediums with the likes of Kojaque, Jafaris and Volleyball. The Volleyball campaign was shortlisted for a Kinsale Shark award. Ruairi co-produced the short film Sons of Roisin. He is studying at the National Film School.
Niamh Regan – Belly
Étáin is a Dublin-based filmmaker from West Cork. She graduated from IADT in 2020. Her graduate film Sisters was selected for numerous festivals including the prestigious Camerimage and was shortlisted for best student film at the Richard Harris International Film Festival. Her most recent piece of directing work is a music video for the band Les SalAmandas. Étáin works in the film industry in the AD and production departments.
Ailbhe Reddy – Inhaling
Originally from Monaghan and based in Dublin, Colin studied at DCU. His debut short, So Say All of Us, was awarded ‘Best Quarantine Short Film’ at the Desert of the Light Film Festival. This propelled him to create three more narrative shorts screened at festivals including the Richard Harris Film Festival, Still Voices, and LIFF. In 2023, Colin directed the music video for We Are One by Wild Youth, Ireland’s entry for Eurovision, amassing over a million views on YouTube.
Kynsy – Thumb Wars
Benedict is a writer/director based in Belfast. Ben has been learning filmmaking under many talented directors while working as a script supervisor. During this time, he uncovered a deep love of genre filmmaking and its ability to explore complex themes. Sam is a writer/director with a Masters’ degree in film from Queen’s University Belfast, where he worked within an array of disciplines and explored his interest in the conflict between social realism and surrealism.
Sonny Casey – The Garden
Barra was first creatively infatuated by music composition and theatre, training and performing with MACNAS, Galway. He studied Film in GTI before graduating from Brighton Screen and Film School in 2020. He found his cinematic eye through the adaptation of poetry and theatrical pieces, including the Arts Council funded poetry film Finding Mothers. Daniel is a cinematographer based in Clifden, Galway. He graduated from Atlantic Technical University in Film Production in 2021. His includes commercial work for Fáilte Ireland and multiple award-winning shorts. He is currently working at Fíbín Teo as a camera assistant.
Pacino Brady - Acceptance
Alex Brady was born and raised in the north side of Cork City. Alex developed a passion for music and film at a young age. After completing his studies at UCC, Alex graduated with a BA Degree in Film and Screen Media. His hard work and dedication were recognised when he was awarded the prestigious Puttnam Scholarship. Sean Downey is a young and talented video creator who is passionate about using his skills to make a difference in the world. At the age of 23, Sean has already established himself as a go-to filmmaker for youth projects in his city. His work is characterized by a fast-paced and dynamic style, capturing the energy and excitement of the projects he works on.
Best Wishes for a successful First Cut!
Youth Film Festival 2024
Brendan Canty has forged his way as one of the most exciting and prolific Irish directors to watch. His early career enjoyed large success with his video for Hozier’s Take Me to Church (which has since surpassed 700 million views on Youtube along with two MTV VMA nominations), since then Brendan has gone on to direct consistently elegant and visually stunning music videos for top international artists. In 2017 Brendan directed For You (starring Barry Keoghan) which went on to win a Kinsale Shark and was nominated for an IFTA. In 2019, Brendan directed a second short film – Christy – funded through Screen Ireland, which has since been developed into a feature.
Bob Gallagher is an award-winning filmmaker declared a ‘good soldier of cinema’ by Werner Herzog and described by Totally Dublin as ‘one of the nation’s premiere creative forces in the visual arts’. Gallagher came to prominence as the creator of some of the most iconoclastic music videos to emerge from Ireland in recent years, collaborating with acts such as Gilla Band, Lankum and Villagers. His music videos have received international attention, and multiple awards. With a darkly experimental aesthetic, his work explores the psychological impacts of juxtaposing music and image, often in collaboration with artists from other disciplines. He is currently in preproduction on his debut feature drama The Song Collector.
Kate graduated from the National Film School, IADT in 2012. Her graduate short Breathe In was selected for a number of Irish and international film festivals. In 2014, Kate attended Berlinale Talents to develop a short called Little Doll. The short then premiered at Berlinale 2016. In 2017, she was funded by Screen Ireland to make Catcalls, an irreverent Horror about a sexual predator who gets what’s coming to him. The film won Best Short Film at the YDA Ireland in 2018 and has played at many festivals all over the world. In 2019 Kate was selected by Screen Ireland to take part in their inaugural POV scheme with a feature script she wrote entitled You Are Not My Mother, which was shot in November 2020. It premiered at TIFF in 2021 and won the Jury Prize at the Festival de Gérardmer 2022, the Discovery Award at the Virgin Media Dublin International Film Festival 2022 and went on to be nominated for six IFTAs included Best Director, Best Writer and Kate was nominated for the Rising Star Award. Since then Kate has directed two episodes of AMC / RTE TV production KIN.
Tara combines surrealism with expressionistic editing for a unique feeling. Her style cuts through narrative to reveal the underlying emotional core. Her work has been described as dynamic, experimental and non-linear. Tara’s film Call Me Mommy won Best Short Documentary at this year’s Galway Film Fleadh. She is a member of Motherland creative production company and true post facility.
Saturday 9th, 8pm Regal
The 2024 First Cut! Youth Film Festival Awards will be announced!
Winning filmmakers receive a beautiful award statuette designed and created by Paddy McCormack.
The Award Categories are:
First Cut! Youth Film Festival Best Film 2024
First Cut! Youth Council Award 2024
First Cut! Youth Film Festival Best Director 2024
First Cut! Youth Film Festival Spotlight Award 2024
First Cut! Youth Film Festival Best YMVC –Youth Music Video Competition Award 2024
First Cut! Youth Film Festival 2024 Cork International Film Festival Award
First Cut! Youth Film Festival Best Animation 2024
First Cut! Youth Film Festival Best Music Video 2024
First Cut! Youth Film Festival Best Documentary 2024
First Cut! Youth Film Festival Best Irish
First Cut! Youth Film Festival Best International Film 2024
First Cut! Youth Film Festival Best Experimental Film 2024
First Cut! Youth Film Festival Best Schools Film 2024
First Cut! Youth Film Festival Best Youth Project Film 2024
First Cut! Youth Film Festival Athrú Amháin 2024 Junior
First Cut! Youth Film Festival Athrú Amháin 2024 Senior
First Cut! Youth Film Festival Best Cork Young Filmmakers Film 2024
First Cut! Youth Film Festival Best Cork Young Filmmakers Schools Film 2024
Monday March 4th – Sunday March 24th
Online at firstcutfilmfestival.com/first-cut-international/
First Cut International, an online platform that offers online screenings showcasing the best short films by young filmmakers from all over the world.
The three First Cut International programmes can be streamed free of charge from our website concurrently with First Cut 2024 and will remain available for two weeks after the physical festival.
Goal Hangin (Sam Heath Maxwell, UK)
Julie (Anabelle Corneau, USA)
Do Not Imagine (Vasilisa Matveeva Pavlovna, Russian Federation)
An Experience of Shooting a Film in the Basement (Wang Yuan Hao, China)
Feet (Nianyu Zhong, China)
Swaddle (Pepi Eirew, USA)
Advena (Nelly Lena Schmidtlein, Germany)
Animal (Daniel Candamil, Colombia)
No One in the Mirror (Huang Zheng, China)
Monday 4th - Sunday 24th March
Blowing Off Steam (Nora Fossan, Norway)
Mom! (Arsenty Nyankin, Russia)
To Bet One’s Boot (Cadence Barreda, USA)
For the Birds (Eva Sykes, UK)
Olas de Amor (Beatrice Fernandes De Sousa, Italy)
Death of Logic (C’Ceshire Sedney, Holland)
Prometheus (Ekshan Paul, India)
The Wind Brings Songs from the Tropic (Wil Paucar Calle, Ecuador)
Echo Sonata (Vlad Matei Sandor, Romania)
Parkland (Julian Hamman, Australia)
Make a God (Wan-Yu Hong & Jia-Zhen Jian, Taiwan)
Wipe Your Tears on My Ears (Imogen Graham, UK)
Glass Delusion (Mikołaj Mirzewski, Poland)
To Love and Be Loved (John Payne & Hannah Kent, US)
frominside (Harry Bayley, UK)
Love Me Forever (Ava Vinton)
Terpsicore (Jacqueline González & Azul Ponce)
Chimera (Aiswarya Thankachan, India)
Summer Night Wind (Chuan Zhi Liu, China)
Heart Stopping Train (Lucas Gomes da Silveira, Brazil)
Claire Murphy is a filmmaker and visual artist based in Cork. After completing her degree in Fine Art Painting at NCAD in 2009 she went on to do a masters in film making specialising in cinematography at Napier University Edinburgh in 2017. As a cinematographer and filmmaker many of her films have screened at festivals worldwide. In 2020 she had her first solo exhibition Here Is Where I Am at South Tipperary Arts Centre. Her film An Grainstad was selected for a number of film festivals including IndieCork Film Festival in 2022 and the film To Be What We Are was selected for the Cork International Film Festival 2023.
Pete Moles is Artistic Director of ELF (Emerging Limerick Filmmakers). He is a filmmaker, film festival programmer and has had the privilege of working with many inspiring young filmmakers over the years. He believes in the power of storytelling, the value of a well written callsheet and the need to throw everything you can into a film production.
Senior Programmer with Cork International Film Festival,Don OMahony became involved with the festival when he became part of the selection committee in 1999. He has been in charge of the festivals experimental programme, Free Radicals since 2004, which has since broadened into the Parallax section. And he has been in charge of the festivals short film programming since 2016.
Aisling Malone is creative producer based in Cork and Dublin. Her filmography includes music videos and award-winning short films. Her notable recent shorts are Findlater and Yellow Belt. Funded by Screen Ireland, Yellow Belt premiered at the Cork International Film Festival, where it earned the Best Director Award. In 2023 Aisling was nominated in the Producer category at the 2023 Emerging Directors Award. She has a background in social justice and a masters in Gender Studies. Recently, she joined Raising Films Ireland, managing a pilot return to work scheme aimed at supporting individuals to re-enter the screen industry after taking a caring break. Raising Films Ireland focuses on supporting and advocating for parents and carers in the screen industry.
In September 2024 young people aged 12-18 from County Cork will be invited to create short films that highlight projects supported by their local Cork Credit Union and capture their impact. Free hands-on workshops will be provided by Cork Credit Unions to facilitate the development of technical filmmaking and interpersonal skills among young people, promoting teamwork and leadership and it will actively involve them in their own communities..
The resulting short films will not only showcase the success stories but also capture the essence of community collaboration and resilience.
To participate contact firstcutfestinfo@gmail.com
Mary McGrath – Festival Director
Max Le Cain – Programme Manager / YMVC Coordinator
Jessica Bonenfant – Assistant Director
A sincere thanks from the First Cut team to our volunteers, great partners, passionate filmmakers, sponsors and to everyone who came to see these amazing films.
Jamie Hanrahan - Website Design
Gerry O’Mahony - Festival Photographer
Kara Sweeney - Festival Video Documentation
Kieran O Connor – Graphic Design
Mary Cashman – Administrator / Intinn Coordinator
Megan Cronin – Social Media Manager
Lisa Mc Donald – Animania & Athrú Amháin Coordinator
Tara Murphy – Festival Strategy & Policy Consultant & Volunteer Support
Chris Hurley – Cork Film Centre: Technical Consultant/ Cork Young Filmmakers Programme
Aisling Malone – Festival Open Day Manager
Eimear O’Brien – Lunasa PR
Festival Trustees & Patrons
Ayoola Smart
John McCarthy
Kate O’Connor
Linda Curtin
Toirdealbhach Ó Lionáird
A very special thank you to our main funders The Arts Council of Ireland and Cork County Council, to all the organisations who provide support to our programmes and workshops; CETB, (Cork Education and Training Board), The Community Foundation of Ireland, CLYP (Cork Local Creative Youth Partnership), Cork Credit Unions, Screen Ireland, SECAD, YIFM, RTE Supporting the Arts and more.
Special thanks to our Animania sponsor Youghal Credit Union, to Pobalscoil na Trionóide students and teachers Cork International Film Festival who are also our festival partner again this year.
A huge thank you to everyone who volunteered valuable time and energy to help make First Cut! 2024 happen. We thank sincerely all of the exceptionally talented and successful filmmakers who have joined us this year to offer their support to young filmmakers.
We are very fortunate to have the support of the local business sponsors in Youghal and surrounding areas and to have both The Mall Arts Centre and The Regal Cinema in the heart of Youghal town. They provide us with generous support and large spacious auditoriums allowing ample room for us to welcome everyone with state-of-the-art cinema screens.
Special Thanks to
Aileen Loughrey (Irish Language Officer Cork County Council)
Alison Crowley, Jam Media
Aisling Malone
Allyn Quigley
An Dr Moira Sweeney, Nemeton
Andrew Mc Sweeney
Asha Murray
Ayoola Smart
Belinda Walsh
Bob Gallagher
Brendan Canty
Claire Murphy
Cry Local Radio, Youghal
Críona Sexton (Screen Ireland)
Darina Clancy
Daniel Fitzpatrick (aemi)
Don O’Mahony and Deirdre Mc Carthy (Cork International Film Festival)
Fiona Clarke (Cork International Film
Festival)
Anna Garcea (CIFF)
Eimear Harte The Arts Council YPCE
Eimear O Brien (Lunasa PR)
Fiona Quinn (Cork Local Creative Youth Partnership, CLYP)
Garry McHugh (YIFM Coordinator)
Áine O Donovan (TY Coordinator, Pobalscoil na Trionóide)
Grace Mitchell (Creative Ireland Cork County Council)
Ian McDonagh (Cork County Council Arts Officer)
Joe McCarthy (Municipal District Officer)
Killian Daly, (The Regal Cinema)
Karl Wallace (Head of Festivals, The Arts Council)
Kate Dolan
Kieran Quinn (Youghal Credit Union)
Lochlainn McKenna
Máire Ní Dhuinnín
Mick Finn, Abina Curtin and Gillian Beasley (CETB)
Pete Moles, ELF Emerging Limerick Filmmakers
Rebekah Bustos
Seamus Ó Suilleabháin
Seóna Ni Bhriain (Head of YPCE, The Arts Council)
Shane Joyce
Tadgh Crowley (The Glucksman, University College Cork)
Tara O’Callaghan
Therese Dalton (County Wexford
Youth Film Project)
Thank you all so much for helping to make the First Cut! Youth Film Festival 2024 a success, by coming to Youghal to our events, taking part in workshops, tuning in, and being part of our virtual audience.
Without the Youghal business community who support the festival and enable it to grow and thrive, the First Cut! Youth Festival would not be possible. To become a festival friend contact us at:
+353 86 813 9019 - firstcutfilm@gmail.com - firstcutfilmfestival.com
First Cut Youth Film Festival is a registered charity CHY No. 20106652
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