In this podcast in partnership with the Galway Film Fleadh, Gemma Creagh talks to filmmakers Zoe Gibney, winner of this year’s Wild Atlantic Pitching Competition, Trevor Whelan, whose film The Story of Zak Moradi screened at the festival, and Maeve McGrath, the Director of Programming.
Zoe Gibney
Zoë completed her debut short film, I Found A Place, which she wrote and directed, starring Brian Gleeson, Bríd Ní Neactain and Enda Oates. I Found A Place received development funding from Screen Ireland and Virgin Media as part of the Virgin Media Discovers Awards. She had previously made it to the finals in 2021 with Screen Ireland and Virgin Media for her script The Day She Caught The Train.
Zoë grew up immersed in Irish film and theatre communities. With 25 years experience in the film industry, both in front of and behind camera, spending the last 13 years as a makeup and effects artist. Having spent years working with some of the best directors in film, (including Martin Mc Donagh, Tim Mielants, Yorgos Lanthimos, Jim Sheridan & Whit Stillman). Zoë’s education in film, writing and directing has been through on set experience and osmosis! It took the pandemic and a long length away from set for Zoë to eventually start to share her writing.
Trevor Whelan
Trevor is an Irish director, writer and cinematographer with a passion for documentary filmmaking. Having worked in the camera department on numerous films, TV series and commercials, Trevor has learned from some of the world’s best filmmakers.
Trevor focuses on creating compelling and inspirational stories conveying strong messages. With a small, highly skilled crew he succeeds in delivering captivating cinematic work that is outstanding in the global forum.
His previous short documentary films have toured many international film festivals in Los Angeles, Palm Springs, San Diego, Paris, London, Dublin and Cannes. Trevor received nominations at the YDA Cannes, Kinsale Sharks and was an award winner at the 2018 Dublin International Film Festival, receiving the Discovery Award for Directing, 2019 Irish Emerging Director Awards, 2019 Coronado Islands Film Festival Emerald Award and Best film at the 2020 Paris Film Festival.
Maeve McGrath
From Limerick, Maeve is currently the Director of Programming at the Galway Film Fleadh.
Maeve studied Theatre Studies in Trinity College, has a Masters in Media Studies and is Producer/Director at Dromglen Productions. Previous work includes Artistic Director of the Kerry Film Festival, Producer at the Carlow Arts Festival, Short Film Programmer at Dublin International Film Festival, Producer for the Change Makers Conference for the Arts Council of Ireland, Curator of Tiny Little Histories for The GAFF and Project Manager at Creative Communities Midwest.
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