Film Ireland Podcast

Shorts Focus: Imbolg Filmmakers Nadia Moosa, Vanessa Gildea, Marjo Viitala & Margaret Kane-Rowe

Taking place on 30th - 31st January at Griffith College Dublin, the Imbolg Women Who Terrify Film Festival celebrates women who terrify, both on screen and behind the camera. In today's podcast we catch up four of the wonderful filmmakers whose work is screening at the festival. Marjo Viitala, I Remember You - Strand A Margaret Kane-Rowe, ShadowFable - Strand A Nadia Moosa, In the Season Thereof - Strand C Vanessa Gildea, on leaving you - Strand C Listen now on SoundCloud, Apple, Spotify, Acast and Amazon, or subscribe to Film Ireland wherever you get your podcasts. As winter draws to a close, this coven of creatives and connoisseurs will gather to mark the Celtic festival of Imbolg. In partnership with Film Ireland and Griffith College, join us for this jam-packed line up! The programme features Women Who Terrify Shorts (Strands A, B and C), alongside the Goth Film Club: Irish Network for Gothic and Horror Studies talk on horror film selection, appreciation and critique. Also included are Faoin Talamh (AV Experience), In Conversation with Filmmaker Laura Moss, and a screening of birth / rebirth, introduced by director and co-writer Laura Moss. Read more about the festival here: https://www.filmireland.net/imbolg-women-who-terrify-film-festival/ Read more about the filmmakers here: https://www.filmireland.net/podcast-imbolg-filmmakers-vanessa-gildea-marjo-viitala-nadia-moosa-vanessa-gildea

Presents: Daniel Draper Director of 'Iron Ladies'

In this podcast - which was recorded last year - academic and journalist Naemi Victoria chats with filmmaker Daniel Draper about his documentary Iron Ladies, which will screen in the Nerve Centre on 30th January 2026. Iron Ladies tells the story of the working-class women who became the backbone of the 1984–85 Miners' Strike. From Scotland to Kent, women from coalfield communities share their experiences of the year-long struggle, and how their actions reshaped political activism for working-class women. The film shines a spotlight on voices that have too often been overlooked. Featuring Heather Wood, Lorraine Stansbie, Rose Hunter, Kate Alvey, Betty Cook, Aggie Currie, and many more, Iron Ladies is both a vital historical record and a celebration of solidarity, resilience, and determination. The screening of Iron ladies will take place at 7pm on 30th January and is followed by a post-screening discussion with Daniel and contributor to the film, Rose Hunter. Get your tickets at NerveCentre.org.--- Daniel Draper Daniel is a Liverpool-based filmmaker. His debut film, Nature of the Beast was released across UK cinemas in 2017. Since, Daniel has produced and directed an additional three feature documentaries and continues to explore place, identity, class and politics through his current and forthcoming work. Listen now on SoundCloud, Apple, Spotify, Acast and Amazon, or subscribe to Film Ireland wherever you get your podcasts.

Presents: Simon Killick, Actor, Writer, Director

In this podcast, we catch up with actor, writer and director Simon Killick, who plays sketchy landlord Rick in the comedian-laden, zany sci-fi Time Travel Is Dangerous. Now based in Ireland, Simon chats about his craft, career and his fantastic slate of upcoming creative projects. Listen now on SoundCloud, Apple, Spotify and Amazon, or subscribe to Film Ireland wherever you get your podcasts. As mentioned during the discussion, here are the links to: Life On Wheels - Original Comedy Pilot  www.youtube.com/@lifeonwheels-footballcomedy Simon's Average Joe & The PRO YouTube Golf Channel https://www.youtube.com/@averagejoeANDthepro Simon Killick Simon has recently starred in the new British comedy feature film Time Travel Is Dangerous which was released in Cinemas all over the UK & Ireland in August 2025 after gaining a prestigious 4 star review in the Guardian. It then went on to win Best Comedy Film at the National Film Awards. Simon Played Rick the Landlord along side Sophie Thompson, Jonny Vegas and Jane Horrocks. It is now available on Apple TV, Amazon Prime and Virgin Media TV. In late 2023 Simon completed his first lead role in a feature called Little Girl. A horror/thriller following Lucas (a truck driver who tragically lost his daughter). Simon is also a credited comedy writer. Reaching the shortlist for the British Comedy Guide Talent Awards for his episode Celebrity Disorder, from web series Fame Disease Created by Nessa Wrafter. He co-owns the multi award winning TV/Film Production Company Klick Productions where they have two feature films in development and pre-production.  www.filmireland.net/podcast-simon-killick-actor-writerr-director

Screen Sessions: Annie Atkins (The Grand Budapest Hotel) & Jill Beecher (Babylon) on Design - Live

Last year, Film Ireland presented Screen Sessions Live, an afternoon of in-depth conversations on craft, career and creativity between talent from the Irish screen industries - made possible with the support of Screen Ireland and hosted by our partners Griffith College. In this special live podcast recording, graphic artist Annie Atkins (The Grand Budapest Hotel, The French Dispatch, Bridge of Spies) is in conversation with production designer, art director, and concept illustrator Jill Beecher (Babylon, Elvis, The Revenant). Both creatives are key voices in the art department on some of Hollywood’s most ambitious and visually distinctive films. In this discussion, Annie and Jill explore the creative realities of working behind the scenes - from collaboration and artistry to problem-solving on set - and discuss how design shapes the stories we see on screen. Visit Film Ireland here to check out the images mentioned during the discussion: https://www.filmireland.net/screen-sessions-live-podcast-on-design-with-annie-atkins-the-grand-budapest-hotel-jill-beecher-babylon Annie Atkins Annie Atkins has created graphic props and set pieces for multiple Oscar-nominated and winning movies such as Wes Anderson’s The Grand Budapest Hotel, Isle of Dogs, and The French Dispatch; Spielberg’s Bridge of Spies and West Side Story; and the map for the latest Indiana Jones movie, The Dial of Destiny. Her first book, Fake Love Letters, Forged Telegrams, and Prison Escape Maps, was published by Phaidon and drew critical acclaim as a behind-the-scenes look at film design, winning accolades from Jeff Goldblum, among others: “Annie makes the unreal seem hyperreal, and the real more supremely alive and utterly magical...” Her latest book, Letters from the North Pole, is a children's picture book and is available now. Jill Beecher Jill was born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1984. She is a production designer, art director, and concept illustrator who has worked across Hollywood productions and local Irish projects (Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood, The Revenant, Alien: Covenant, Babylon, Elvis). Jill is now represented by William Morris Endeavour and is a member of the British and American Art Directors Guilds. She is also a visual artist who has exhibited in Europe, America, and Australia. Subscribe now on SoundCloud, Apple, Spotify and Amazon, or subscribe to Film Ireland wherever you get your podcasts.

Presents: Hugh O'Conor, Actor, Writer & Filmmaker of 'Showkids'

In this podcast, we catch up once again with actor, writer and filmmaker Hugh O’Conor, whose quasi-autobiographical comedy series Showkids - co-written with Amy Stephenson and Shane Langan - is available to watch on RTÉ. We talk with Hugh about his expansive career, from performance and working with the greats at a young age, to training at NYU, and his move into directing features, animation, and now this witty and heartfelt show. Showkids is set around a very special after-school drama class for talented kids, run by the brilliant but super-intimidating Miss Bethany Jessop (Amy De Bhrún). The show is seen through the eyes of 12-year-old Sam Curtain (Flynn Gray), whose constant daydreaming has begun to cause mayhem in his life. When his parents, Sally & Con (Philippa Dunne & Killian Sundermann), stumble across Miss Jessop’s, they wonder if drama might be the perfect way to harness Sam’s overly active imagination? An initially reluctant Sam soon realises he’s discovered his tribe – other kids with equally vivid imaginations, inspired by Miss Jessop to use drama to help solve the problems they’re going through in their own lives. As well as experiencing his first, terrifying taste of showbiz, Sam has finally found somewhere he is free to let his cares and dreams run wild – but this time, with a purpose! Showkids is available to watch now on the RTÉ Player. Read more about this episode here: www.filmireland.net/podcast-hugh-oconor-actor-writer-filmmaker-on-showkids