Ten young filmmakers got the opportunity of a lifetime on Monday when they were given the chance to talk filmmaking with Mike Cahill, director of the upcoming TV series Nightflyers based in Limerick’s Troy Studios.
The talk, which took place in Engine Limerick, saw Cahill speak to young filmmakers from the Limerick region, including ten finalists in Ireland’s Young Filmmaker of the Year 2018. The talk took place as part of Troy Studios initiative entitled ‘Troy Talks’.
Young filmmaker Turlough Ó Cinnéide, aged 18, who was attending the event said, “it’s amazing that Mike Cahill wants to meet young filmmakers based in Limerick or around Limerick to see what stage they’re at and where they’re future is going”.
Young filmmaker Luke Culhane, aged 15, added, “I learned so much at this event. It was like my first taste of real film school. It has clarified for me what I want to do with the rest of my life.”
Nightflyers began filming recently at Troy Studios after a straight-to-series pickup. The series is a production of NBC Universal and Universal Cable Productions and is adapted from the 1987 George RR Martin novella of the same name. Netflix will co-produce the series and will have first-run rights to the series outside of the US. It is due to air on the Syfy Channel in the US and on Netflix worldwide. Many well-known names are included in the cast for the much-anticipated series, including Ireland’s Eoin Mackin, as Karl D’Branin and Brian F O’Byrne as Auggie. International stars will also be joining the team, such as David Ajala (Fast & Furious 6) and Gretchen Mol (Boardwalk Empire).
Ireland’s Young Filmmaker of the Year 2018 announced it's Senior winners at the Fresh Film Festival 2018 in Limerick on Thursday, March 22nd. The competition, which received a record of almost 1,500 entries this year, announced the winners at the Odeon Castletroy.
17-year-old John Farrelly from Warrenpoint, Down, took home the title of Ireland’s Young Senior Filmmaker of the year 2018 for his short film Choice, a boy suspects there is something not quite right with his life. Speaking about his win, said, “I’m so glad I won Ireland’s Young Filmmaker of the Year 2018. I worked really hard and the hard work paid off. I would encourage anyone interested in film to enter next year as it’s a great opportunity and encourages young people to make films”.
Sean Treacy, aged 13 from Ashford, Wicklow was the second place winner for his film Brother, in which two kids become unlikely friends after they forced to spend time together. Melanie O’Donnell, aged 18 from Adare, Limerick took home third place for her film Catharsis, in which a young patient purges her mind through art with the help of her psychiatrist.
Waterford’s SWAY Project won Best Group at Ireland’s Young Filmmaker of the Year 2018 for their films Useless and DUFF, with the latter also taking home the Audience Award on the day. Speaking about their win, Youth Worker Eoin Dalton said, “We are delighted to win. They are a great bunch of young people and they put so much work into their films and took their responsibilities as filmmakers very seriously”.
