Acclaim for Nenagh student’s film

Awards and nominations for Niamh's work

A Nenagh third level student has written and directed a film that is receiving great recognition on the national and international film circuit.

Niamh Magee is among a team of film and television students at Dundalk Institute of Technology responsible for the phenomenally successful ‘High Society’, a short film created last year by the third year Film and Television Prodution class at Dundalk Institute of Technology.

The film, made on the students' year-long Film Project module, is doing really well on the film festival circuit at home and abroad after its recent nomination for the Royal Television Society Student Award in the drama section.

The film recently won the Best Cinematography Award at the Best Istanbul Film Festival, along with being nominated for Best Director and Best Music at the Screen Power Film Festival in the UK.

In addition, it was selected as a monthly pick at the Rome Prisma Independent Film Awards and was part of the official selection at the Dublin University Film Festival. It was nominated for Best Film at First Frame Dublin International Film Festival and Best Drama at the Royal Television Society Awards.

Niamh Magee has firm Nenagh connections, being a granddaughter of the late Sean and Una Butler from MacDonagh Street and a daughter of Jacqueline (née Butler) Magee from Coille Bheithe.

Niamh, whose late American-born father John Magee was also a writer, scripted and directed the film which was shot over six days in multiple locations across County Louth under strict Covid filming protocols in spring 2021.

The students overcame huge challenges through the film's production, as all development and pre-production was carried out remotely whilst post-production was completed with a mix of on-campus and remote activity.

‘High Society’ follows the character, Leah, who feeds viewers her inner poetic thoughts as they follow her story of being spiked to subsequently causing her girlfriend to seek revenge on the dealer that started this turmoil.

The film has been described as a shocking drama that depicts the lives of young people living borderless lives and dealing with themes of love and immaturity.

This is Niamh's directorial debut and it's hardly a coincidence that as the scriptwriter she happens to be following her late father's footsteps as a writer. Taking inspiration from Gaspar Noé and Nick Cave, she aimed to create a surreal and atmospheric world told through rhythmical narrations that exposes modern day self destruction.

“Inspired by cinematographer Marcell Rév, we aimed to create something visually intriguing working with what we hadon our low budget,” Niamh revealed.

She added: “As a team we found the perfect dynamic working together as we all put so much effort into it... our work ethic never seemed to dwindle.”

On behalf of the film crew, Niamh thanked everyone who donated to help fund the film and the lectures at DkIT, Eamonn Crudden and Sarah McCann, who offered guidance along the way.

Since completion, Niamh has gone on to write and direct a student pilot for a television series, titled ‘Benighted Entries’.

This works focuses on a mysterious burrow at the base of a Hawthorn Tree. After years of locals suffering delusions after crawling into it, a military team is sent to investigate this paranormal outcome.