Projects in genres: Woman Director

Synopsis

In 1960 a young Irish woman named Edna O'Brien wrote a sexually frank debut novel, 'The Country Girls'. She became a literary sensation, writing for The New Yorker, delivering provocative interviews, and authoring screenplays. Her success enraged her writer husband and made her a pariah in her native Ireland, where her books were banned and burned. She would make her home in London, where she conducted numerous love affairs, hosted star-studded parties, and made and lost a fortune. In July 2024, Edna passed away and this film provides a final testimony from her, aged 93, as she reflects upon her extraordinary life for filmmaker Sinéad O'Shea's camera. Granting the director access to her personal journals (made public for the first time), which are read aloud by Irish actress Jessie Buckley. With additional perspectives offered from Gabriel Byrne, Walter Mosley and an array of renowned writers, Edna does not shy from any subject.
Official Selection Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) 2024 - World premiere
Official Selection Cork International Film Festival 2024 - European premiere
Official Selection CPH:DOX 2025

Synopsis

Aurora, a Portuguese worker in a Scottish warehouse, is navigating loneliness and alienation in an algorithm-driven gig economy as she seeks meaning and connection amidst solitude and workplace confines.
Official Selection Toronto International Film Festival 2024 - World premiere
Official Selection San Sebastian Film Festival 2024 - European premiere
San Sebastian Film Festival 2024 - Winner - Silver Seashell for Best Director
Official Selection BFI London Film Festival 2024 - First Feature Competition
BFI London Film Festival 2024 - Winner - Sutherland Award for Best First Feature
Official Selection International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) 2025

Synopsis

An emotional documentary that looks at the lives of three Ukrainian refugees who now live in the UK, Brazil and Germany respectively. Each share their stories of escape from Russian occupation, and the hardships they've experienced whilst assimilating to new cultures as they rebuild their lives.

Synopsis

A journey of a woman overcoming fear of not being accepted: from her desire to correspond to societal standards to finally accepting that she is ‘not normal’ and that the only acceptance she needs is the self-acceptance.

Synopsis

During the 1950s, Ireland had the highest rate of psychiatric hospital use globally. Using archival documents, filmmakers Cáit McClay and Éiméar McClay look critically at the evolution of Irish psychiatric institutions across the 20th century, examining the confluence of carceral, therapeutic and socioeconomic incentives that determined their influence.
Official Selection Rotterdam International Film Festival (IFFR) 2025 - World premiere

Synopsis

After preparing for her first night of motherhood in the postnatal ward bathroom, Thea rushes to soothe her crying baby. But when Mother interrupts Thea’s moment of maternal bliss and claims that the baby latched onto her breast is her own, Thea is forced to admit her mistake.

Synopsis

A frustrated couple in their 50s resorts to employing a sex robot as a final attempt to salvage their crumbling marriage, unwittingly uncovering the very fractures that damaged it in the first place.

Synopsis

Are scientists doing enough to sound the alarm about climate breakdown?
When the UK government pledges to "max out" oil and gas extraction, the lives of psychology professor Colin, microbiologist Abi and ecologist Aaron collide outside the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), where they and six others are arrested for causing alleged criminal damage. But who are the real climate criminals? As restrictions on protest tighten, will scientists retreat to their laboratories or will more stand up than ever before?
A window into the world of reluctant activism, PLAN Z explores the moral power of protest when established routes of influence fail.

Synopsis

This film captures a day-in-the-life of a spear fisherman. Set against the vibrant canvas of daily life in St.George's, Grenada, starting in Melville Street Fish Market, and ending at the Carenage before sunset. Fisherman Ryan Andrews explains recent changes and challenges to the fishing industry as Grenada's environment evolves, gently reminding us of the delicate balance between industry and nature.

Synopsis

When meteor storms bring a new life form to earth, global authorities implement emergency controls as they move in secret to attack and eliminate the predators. A group of friends defy confinement, risking everything to survive as they come face to face with the monster.
Official Selection FrightFest 2024 - World premiere

Synopsis

The story of Scottish pop music from the 1960s onwards told by the visionary women who got on stage and made music together. We discover the little-known role that women played in Scotland's emerging music scenes through interviewing those who tried to break the glass ceiling, from the vocal harmony groups of the sixties to DIY indie-fanzine-inspired groups of the 90s, as well as activists, artists, and experts. Weaving together personal anecdotes with a scrapbook audio-visual aesthetic, as the film takes us through each decade, a colourful mixtape is formed spanning multiple musical genres.
Narrated by award-winning musician Carla J. Easton, a former member of the girl band Teen Canteen, the film takes a critical look at the barriers women have faced making music in the past, and still face today. It asks how we can inspire young women to make music, if those who do so are continuously erased from our cultural history.
Official Selection Edinburgh International Film Festival 2024 - World premiere

Synopsis

An animated documentary, telling the story of Katie who found empowerment, friendship, and healing by plunging into into frigid waters of the North Sea. Addressing themes of isolation and connection, mental health, wellbeing, and climate change, Katie's story relates the physical and mental benefits of cold-water swimming.
Official Selection Edinburgh International Film Festival 2024 - World premiere