In this Film Ireland podcast, Gemma Creagh talks to 3 filmmakers whose films are screening at the Cork International Film Festival: Julia Wysocka (Skirmish), Freddie Leyden (Farmers!?) and Sam Ahern (Night Glances).
Gemma also catches up with the Festival’s new director of programming, Aurélie Godet, to introduce this year’s programme.
The Cork International Film Festival runs 7-17 November 2024.
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Skirmish (Julia Wysocka)
Annie, a young woman living in a quaint Irish town, finds herself in a dead-end job, with the lingering pain of her failed relationship. Annie decides to attend a western-themed night in her local bar she knows her ex-girlfriend Clara will be there…and so will she.
Skirmish screens as part of Irish Shorts 1: In Competition on 9th November, 18:00 at The Arc Cinema – Screen 2.
Farmers!? (Freddie Leyden)
A farmer in the west of Ireland tries to connect with a local young man over their shared artistic interests. When he is rebuffed, it devastates him. In his anguish, he returns home and performs a song in his office, ending with an explosive emotional outburst, and his death. Later, a group of his farmer friends gather at the auction of his estate. These men find themselves completely unable to connect or express their grief. Intense repression leads to further explosions, and the emotional release they desperately need finally comes through ceremonial dance and primal screams, conjured by the ghost of their deceased friend.
Farmers!? screens as part of Irish Shorts 1: In Competition on 9th November, 18:00 at The Arc Cinema – Screen 2.
Night Glances (Sam Ahern)
Romantic realisations between two best friends are made awkward, when classmates and crushes call over to an end-of-school party. Internal social pressures break down barriers, before the chaos of misunderstanding leads to a hazy truth.
Night Glances screens as part of Irish Shorts 4: Out of Competition on 11th November, 13:00 at The Arc Cinema – Screen 4.
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Meet The Filmakers
Julia Wysocka
Julia Wysocka is a Polish-born filmmaker raised in Dublin, with a recent degree in Film Directing from the National Film School at IADT. Known for her character-driven storytelling, Julia’s films explore vulnerability and human connection, often set against distinctly Irish backdrops. Her portfolio includes Good Grief, showcased at various festivals, and her graduate film, Skirmish, premiering at the Cork International Film Festival. Julia’s work reflects her unique perspective and a commitment to creating meaningful, relatable narratives that resonate with audiences.
Freddie Leyden
From Ennis County Clare, Freddie has spent the last 10 years honing his craft in London. His unique and exciting style of filmmaking is steeped in artistic and historical visual references. His films, which both reference art and are artworks in themselves, have made him internationally sought after. He has made films for the biggest brand names in the art world and beyond. His groundbreaking new narrative short film FARMERS!? was shot in Ireland in 2023 and is currently in the festival circuit. In 2024, Freddie began a collaboration with the Mercury Music Prize-nominated artist Bat For Lashes, directing the accompanying film to her new album, The Dream of Delphi: A New Transmission, which has entered the festival circuit. His accolades include Vimeo Staff Pick, Best of the Year; Kinsale Sharks 2023, Gold, Best Direction; Cannes Lions 2023, Film Craft, Direction; Telly Awards 2023, Gold, Best Direction; Young Arrows 2023, Finalist, Best New Director; and Shiny Awards 2022, Best Emerging Director.
Sam Ahern
Sam’s latest film NIGHT GLANCES, played at the 2024 Galway Film Fleadh, Cork International Film Festival and Belfast Film Festival. A follow-on from their successful writing/directing debut LATE BLOOMERS, which was selected for the Belfast Film Festival 2023, Gaze Film Festival 2023, and aGLIFF in Austin, TX. Both of these films were made with Komo Collective, led by Sam and Kieran (Sherry) Sheridan, and are both heartfelt, queer coming-of-age stories.
Sam wrote the short film SAFE AS HOUSES (Screen Ireland’s Focus Shorts) which screened at Slamdance Film Festival and 50 film festivals internationally, winning many awards. SAFE AS HOUSES received development funding from Screen Ireland to turn the world of the short into a TV series on which Sam is the lead writer. Sam’s writing work has focused on social realism and long-form community research in the last 3 years.
Sam is the proud new festival manager for GAZE Film Festival and watches shorts for the Tribeca Film Festival annually, co-programming the 2023 shorts Pride programme with Alice Shone. Sam previously worked at Copper Alley Productions with Lara Hickey and Jack Hickey for two years as the production and development executive, working across a slate of successful projects. From 2014-2018 Sam worked at DIFF as the projects manager. Over the last year, Sam has been selected for the Screen Ireland Mentorship Programme with writer Malcolm Campbell, a Tyrone Gutherie Residency, and X-Pollinator 2024. Sam was also an assistant producer on LESBIAN LINES, the new film by Cara Holmes, produced by Evan Horan from Keeper Pictures. Sam holds an MA in Screenwriting from the National Film School at IADT, a BDes in Visual Communication from NCAD, is a 2019 Warner Bros. Creative Talent alumni and a full member of the Writer’s Guild of Ireland.
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