Irish Shorts 3: Pure Cork (In Competition)

A selection of Cork, Cork-based, and Cork-visiting talent, viewing Cork and the world through their eyes with compassion and humour. All shorts in this programme are eligible for Best Cork Short Award.

HEAD FIRST - Sean Breathnach, Matt Sullivan

At a rural Irish wake, a widow’s grief collides with superstition when her husband’s coffin is carried out head first, breaking tradition. This leads to a chilling encounter, forcing her to confront enemies both real and supernatural.

ARE YOU THERE? - James O'Callaghan

Set in an isolated parish, 'Are You There?' follows two priests as they navigate quiet rituals, unspoken struggles, and the haunting absence of answers from above. With intimacy and restraint, the film captures the fragile humanity beneath the cloth.

MOAN - Neil O'Driscoll, Róisín O'Donovan

A lens into the heart of film making: long nights, overstretched actors, exhausted crew and a director pushing through. But here, in rehearsal, time and space is sacred. Intimate. And our director - needs to get this right.

CHATTER - Stephen Canty

2 employees in mind-numbing, routine office jobs dream of worlds beyond the white plaster walls, all narrated by their inner monologues. They seem made for each other, but can life be that simple? Escapism, jealousy and Business Cards all play a part.

CULCHIE - Richard Lennon [RU]

When Luke and his girlfriend get some big news about their future, he faces the ultimate challenge: breaking the news to his farmer dad that he’s ditching the cows, leaving West Cork forever, and never taking over the family farm.

FÁINLEÓGA - Luke O'Donoghue [D]

Cape Clear Island is one of the oldest Gaeltacht islands that survives to this day, however years of neglect and depopulation have left the island on the brink, will the slew of new inhabitants from across the world be enough to preserve the island life?

GLEN FOLK - Annie Mar Forrester, Aaron Ross [D]

Glen Folk tells five stories about the Glen River Park, a space abundant with nature and wildness. Each one is told by a local of the park, offering a glimpse into the layers of history that make up the place.

THROUGH YOUR EYES - Yelyzaveta Zvarych [RU]

(2024) A guy shows a girl around his city. She has been forced to flee her own country and is looking for a place where she can feel at home. Their conversation leads to questions and reflections on identity and language

Films in competition are eligible for the Grand Prix Prix Documentary Short Award [D], Redbreast UNHIDDEN Short Award [RU] where stated, all films are eligible for the Pure Cork Award. All films 2025, except where indicated.

Awards presentation supported by Murphy’s.