FRESH30 Omniplex Cinemas: Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick Saturday 06 December 12-1.30pm; Admission €5; PG Tickets from omniplex.ie (Search ‘fresh30’)
13 Award Winning Short Film by Ireland’s Young Filmmakers, screening at Omniplex Cinemas in Dublin, Cork, Galway and Limerick on Saturday December 6th at 12 noon. A brilliant and inspiring programme of films made by young people, for young people, in their own words.
In celebration of 30 years of Fresh Film, Ireland’s leading young people’s film organisation, Omniplex Cinemas will host a 90 minute programme of award winning short films made by young Irish filmmakers on Saturday December 6th. This exciting film event for all ages will take place from 12 noon at Omniplex Cinemas in Dublin, Cork, Galway and Limerick. The programme will feature a brilliant and entertaining selection of 13 films made by young people between 2015 and 2024, ranging from explosive live action to intricate animation, emotional dramas, hilarious comedic turns and deeply personal stories. As official cinema partner to Ireland’s Young Filmmaker of the Year Awards, Omniplex Cinemas are proud to partner with Fresh Film to showcase future generations of Irish filmmakers. The programme is PG and tickets are just €5 and available to purchase at omniplex.ie (search fresh30)
Films being screened will include Rue by Sean Tracey, Ireland’s Young Filmmaker of the Year 2019, who has gone on to work as a TV presenter, podcaster and filmmaker; Max Hendrickson’s The Tell-Tale Heart, which garnered Max the title of Ireland’s Young Filmmaker of the Year 2023, adding to his accolade of Ireland’s Junior Filmmaker of the Year in 201X when he was just 12 years old. Also screening is Carl Arnold O’Driscoll’s Pirates, for which he was crowned Ireland’s Young Filmmaker of the Year 2019. Carl has since gone on to forge a hugely successful TV and stage acting career and most recently starred in Lord of the Flies on London’s West End. The Seraph by Erin Geraghty winner of the RTÉ 60 Award in 2023, and Charlie by the TY Students of St. James CBS, Dublin, winner of Best School at Ireland’s Young Filmmaker of the Year Awards 2023 will also appear on the bill.
Fresh Film: Nurturing Future Filmmakers
Founded in 1996 as the Irish School’s Video Competition, Fresh Film was originally a school based filmmaking initiative for secondary students. Over three decades it has grown into an award winning, internationally recognised organisation focused on inspiring, nurturing and celebrating excellence in young people’s filmmaking. In May 2024 at the Cannes Film Festival, Fresh Film won the Community Impact Award at the Screen International Global Production Awards, recognising the organisation’s work in supporting and empowering young filmmakers.
Along with creating and delivering numerous film programmes and initiatives throughout the year, Fresh Film also presents the annual Fresh International Film Festival, Ireland’s longest running and largest film festival for young people. The organisation also produces Ireland’s Young Filmmaker of the Year Awards, whose alumni include Oscar nominated directors, TV and film personalities, broadcasters, and many of Ireland’s leading film, TV, advertising and content creators and crews. Fresh Film believes in the potential of film as a tool for expression, education, inclusion, and personal development. The organisation strives to empower Ireland’s young people to become the nation’s filmmakers of tomorrow.
Fresh Film is made possible by the generous funding and support of many partners including The Arts Council, Screen Ireland, Omniplex Cinemas, RTÉ, Coimisiún na Meán, Limerick City and County Council, The Radharc Trust, Screen Producers Ireland, Animation Ireland, Bowe Street and many more. freshfilm.ie
Screening Programme Details
FRESH30 Omniplex Cinemas: Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick Saturday 06 December
Good List
Mia Donnelly
Made as part of Fresh Film HotHouse Programme 2024
A grown man with an unwavering belief in the magic of Christmas confronts his office’s Santa Claus in an attempt to get himself back onto the good list.
Live and Let Live
Transition Year, Bishopstown Community School, Cork
Nominated for Best School 2022
Young people need the space and respect to grow into the unique adult they are meant to be. This film explores how in including and accepting others you allow for emancipation of yourself and others.
Pirates
Cal Arnold O’Driscoll,
Winner of Ireland’s Young Filmmaker of the Year 2019
In 1980s Ireland, three friends set up a pirate radio station in an attempt to beat the bullies and get the girls.
In My Own Words
Karl Reddy, Aoife Durkin, Holly McDermott, James Matthews, Sinead Giblin.
TY, St Colmcille’s Community School, Dublin 2015
A teenage boy tells the story of how he has not allowed his speech and language difficulties to define him as a person. This is Karl Reddy’s true story.
How to construct an Albatross
Liam Murphy, Cork
2021
After crash-landing on an island, a lone pilot uses remnants from the wreckage to escape. isolation. Inspired by Louise Greig’s poem ‘How to Construct an Albatross’
RUE
Seán Treacy, Wicklow
Winner Ireland’s Young Filmmaker of the Year 2019
The story of a conflict between two friends unfolds. Words that can’t be taken back and bridges all too quickly burnt. Can they find a way to repair the relationship before it’s too late?
Mute
Hugo Fearon, Belfast
Nominated for Animation Ireland Award 2023
Mutual tolerance and understanding are reached after the obstacle of a haunted key is overcome.
Feels Like Home
Neasa O’Brien, Dublin
Hothouse 2023
On the eve of her eighteenth birthday, Saoirse abandoned at twelve and forced to grow up too soon discovers that the key to surviving life and love might lie in a mysterious power she never knew she had.
The Tell-Tale Heart
Max Hendrickson, Dublin
Winner Ireland’s Young Filmmaker of the Year 2023
A re-telling of the Edgar Allen Poe short story, a man is slowly driven mad by the pale blue eye of his older companion.
Anna McGee’s Wild Ride
Ava Bounds, United Kingdom
Winner International Young Filmmaker of the Year 2023
A teenager on the cusp of adulthood flies through her entire future while stuck in a traffic jam.
Charlie
TY, St James CBS, Dublin
Winner Best School 2023
A boy must come to terms with difficult change
The Seraph
Erin Geraghty
Winner RTÉ 60 Award 2023
A young girl becomes more aware of a presence that lingers nearby.
Ivy
Fiachra Cotter O’Culachain
Winner Ireland’s Young Filmmaker of the Year 2023
This coming-of-age film follows Hugh, a teen facing the struggles of life. Life for Hugh is pretty good, but it becomes that much better when he meets Ivy, the new girl next door. As he embarks on another summer of fun with his friends. Fantastic cinematography and performance for this young ensemble cast
About Fresh Film
Fresh Film, established in 1997, is an Irish organization passionately committed to fostering youth engagement with cinema. It is the driving force behind the Fresh International Film Festival, which holds the title of Ireland’s longest-running and largest film festival dedicated to young people. Beyond the festival, Fresh Film runs developmental programs like HotHouse, actively encouraging the next generation to voice their ideas and narratives through the medium of film. Their core belief is in the power of cinema as a vital instrument for expression, education, and personal growth, ultimately aiming to empower young people to become the filmmakers of tomorrow.
