First Take

Panel discussions with special guests from the international film industry, sharing their invaluable insight into current trends in the sector.

Presented in partnership with our Official Industry Partner

Supported by Coimisiún na Meán

FIRST TAKE (Thursday 14th November) 

Triskel Christchurch, 11:00 – 17:00

First Take is a training and development platform for newly established film professionals, film and media students and the wider film industry, which comprises case studies, presentations and panel discussions. Its intention is to promote fresh thinking amongst emerging and working filmmakers, inspiring them to be proactive in creating and promoting their own film work.

SESSIONS INCLUDE:

1. Exploring career opportunities in the Irish Animation industry

Speakers:

• Deirdre Barry – Programme Director, National Talent Academy for Animation
• Moe Honan – Producer, Moetion Film’s / Chair, Animation Ireland

Host: Dr Susan Liddy – Chair WFT Ireland and President Women in Film and Television International

Presented in partnership with Women in Film & Television Ireland

2. Neurodivergent Voices in the Screen Industries

Centring the experiences of neurodivergent filmmakers and professional in the Irish screen industry, this session will explore their individual experiences and paths into film and how they navigated the screen industry as a neurodivergent individual, examining best practice and strategies to encourage neurodivergent voices to enter, and sustain a career in, filmmaking.

Speakers: 

• Georgia Kumari Bradburn – Co-director, The Stimming Pool
• Olaya Chesneau – Camera Department / Colourist
• Shannon Haly – Actor / Writer / Producer

Host: Eleanor McSherry – Programme Coordinator, Adult and Continuing Education (ACE), University College Cork

Presented in partnership with the National Talent Academies

3. Spotlight on Writers | Stage to Screen

Spotlight is Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland’s flagship scheme for new screenwriters, aimed at discovering and developing fresh and original new voices. In collaboration with Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland, First Take will invite a cohort of writers from their recent stage-to-screen edition of the programme, to discuss the initiative, their individual writing processes, the creative and practical mechanisms they implement in their writing, and tips for emerging screenwriters entering the industry.

Speakers: 

• Federico Julian Gonzalez
• Jonathan Hughes
• Esosa Ighodaro
• Janet Moran 

Host: Frank Berry – Writer/Director, Michael Inside, Aisha

4. September Says | A Focus on Debut Feature Development

September Says is the highly acclaimed feature film debut of French filmmaker Ariane Labed, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival this year. Developed by the accomplished team at Element Pictures with BBC Film, this session will chart the development journey of the film including working with a first time feature maker and the script development process, and then moving into the production process, looking at casting, co-production financing and shooting in Ireland with an emerging creative team.

Speakers:

• Lara Hickey – Producer, September Says
• Chelsea Morgan Hoffmann – Producer, September Says

5. Fréwacka | Folk Horror Production Case Study

This session will dissect the making of Fréwaka, the sophomore feature from Northern Ireland based director Aislinn Clarke – an Irish folk horror about a care worker, Shoo, is sent to a remote village to care for an agoraphobic woman who fears the neighbours.

The session will explore the writing, development and production of Fréwaka, as well as delivering into Aislinn’s wider career trajectory and her focus on the craft of genre filmmaking.

Speaker: Aislinn Clarke – Director, Fréwaka

Host: Rory Cashin – Entertainment & Culture Journalist

A networking reception, co-supported by the National Talent Academies, will conclude the event from 17:00 to 18:00

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The networking receptions are sponsored by our Sponsor & Drinks Partner Murphy’s. (Enjoy responsibly)