Acclaim for Tipp’s film-makers

Engine Shorts, the Mid-West Short Film Scheme run by Film in Limerick through Innovate Limerick, is currently in production with the six 2023 winning projects, including two from Tipperary.

The film ‘Bog’ is written by Beverly Penn from Thurles based around Littleton Bog. The second film ‘Heart of Stone’ is written by Roseanna Purcell from Littleton and due to be filmed in Clonmel.

The initiative for local emerging film talent is a partnership between the local authorities in Tipperary, Limerick and Clare, and Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board with support from Creative Ireland. The scheme aims to inspire and support up-and-coming writers, directors, producers and crews to create inspiring, engaging, world-class short films that resonate with a wide international audience.

A judging panel consisting of Dublin International Film Festival director, Grainne Humphreys, IFTA winning Director of Photography, Kate McCullough, and Screen International Executive Editor, Fionnuala Halligan, chose this year’s winning projects, awarding €75,000 in production funding across six local projects.

Commenting on this year’s winning projects, Grainne Humphries said: “Almost every day I am reminded of the projects and filmmakers I met at the panel weekend. There was such a wide selection of projects, in both style and subject, and an incredibly diverse range of talent involved. It's a testament to the organisers and the talent in Ireland today that we struggled to get to our final winners, but I cannot wait to see the final films, the future of filmmaking in Ireland is so bright.”

Paul C Ryan from Film in Limerick added: “It's brilliant to see Engine Shorts back for a second edition and to have six more films in production across the region. The sector is rapidly growing in the Mid-West and the Engine Shorts Scheme is an important element in developing home-grown talent, who will progress to making future TV series and feature films locally. We look forward to seeing the new films playing on the big screen internationally and launching the careers of all involved.”

Two films will be produced in each of the three counties in the region.

Tipperary writer Beverley Penn, Producer Ashlee De Costa and Director Lorna Fitzsimons are filming their short film, Bog, a dark fairy-tale about two women, generations apart, finding common ground in the wild and all-consuming beauty of Littleton Bog.

Beverley Penn said: “I was thrilled to be supported by the Engine Shorts Scheme. I want to show the Irish bog in all its guises and delighted with the chance to do that.”

Director Lorna Fitzsimons added: “Delighted to be selected for Engine Shorts and to be telling a story of the Tipperary Bog.

“Myself and Beverley met in the Source Arts Centre and we found a connection over our deep love of this land, from which our dark fairy-tale emerged.”

Also in production in Tipperary are writer Roseanna Purcell, producer Pius McGrath and director Tara Doolin, who have teamed up to make their short, Heart of Stone, which will be filmed in and around the Clonmel area.

Heart of Stone tells the story of Mairead, who has never asked anyone for anything, nor does she want to. Now, under orders from her father, she must reach out to someone for the first time, for the last thing they would ever expect.

Writer Roseanna Purcell commented: “It's a huge honour to be commissioned by Engine with my first venture in screenwriting.

“I've always been passionate about telling stories that bring those in the shadows of society to the fore while showcasing modern rural life in Tipperary in a unique and truthful way, and I feel very lucky that Heart Of Stone has such a brilliant team to bring this vision together.”

Director Tara Doolan said: “Roseanna script immediately caught my attention on my first read. It is a privilege to be working with her and Pius to bring this short film to life. I share Roseanna's passion for telling stories about a modern rural Ireland and the people who inhabit it, particularly those who are not typically represented. Heart of Stone does just that through this quirky and heart wrenching story.”

Filming of the Engine Short Films takes place during September and October, with the completed films delivered in the autumn ready for distribution to film festivals internationally.