Jimmy Smallhorne is a writer, director and actor, particularly renowned for THE MIRACLE CLUB, 2BY4, LOVE/HATE, TAKEN DOWN, CARDBOARD GANGSTERS, DARKLANDS, and DEAD STILL. In addition to this he was the co-founder of the legendary Bronx Irish Theatre Company.
Category: – Directors
Thomas Ryan
An accomplished, innovative and collaborate director, best known for his critically acclaimed feature films TWICE SHY and TRAMPOLINE, as well as his award-winning short comedy POGNOPHOBIA.
Thomas recently became one of the first filmmakers in Ireland to work with virtual stage production, the same technology used on ‘The Mandalorian’.
With years of industry experience, Thomas has directed TV and commercial content alongside his feature projects. He has also directed animated content for both broadcast TV and commercials and has written and directed an Irish language educational series for the BBC.
In addition to his creative work, Thomas has worked with a variety of corporate clients, including The White House, Speedo, Amazon, Canterbury, Unreal, Adobe, DK, Scholastic, and NASA.
With a unique perspective on the filmmaking process and a proven track record of success, Thomas is sure to continue making waves in the industry for years to come.
Maurice Sweeney
Award winning director as comfortable producing full scale drama as he is creating intelligent and innovative documentary. He has a number of large-scale credits in which he has a developed a proven ear for story and emotion. Over his twenty year career, Maurice has worked on numerous international co -productions, and has credits with HISTORY US, BBC, Channel 4, ZDF, ARTE, FIVE and RTE. Maurice has won 5 Irish Film and Television Awards (IFTAs) and was awarded Best Director at the London Independent Film Festival 2013.
Most recent work includes in 2022: CONFIDENTIAL for the Irish Government. 2020: Directed the three -part drama PENANCE for Channel 5/Westroad Pictures which was one of the channel’s highest viewed dramas of 2020; SAVING THE TITANIC for Tile Films; COLD CASE COLLINS for Big Fellow Productions; Lead Director on BLOOD – Season 1 & 2 for Channel 5/Westroad Pictures which made Empire Magazine’s best TV of 2020 list. 2018: Directed and co-wrote the critically acclaimed and award winning Feature Documentary I DOLOURS for Screen Ireland/New Decade Films – released in cinemas and then acquired by Netflix.
Sam Atwell
Sam has produced the six-part drama NORTHERN LIGHTS for Lionsgate and Deadpan and was then Head of Development for Deadpan. Prior to this he was the Drama Development Executive for RTÉ where he worked on HIDDEN ASSETS, SMOTHER and NORTH SEA CONNECTION as well as their development and production slate. He Executive Produced the three storyland titles, MUSTARD, EVERY FIVE MILES and BALOR HALL and the short films, PICTURE DAY, FOREVER HOLD YOUR PEACE and THE WALL. Has been the inhouse story-editor for animation company, JAM Media and Script Producer for RTÉ’s, FAIR CITY where he directed multiple blocks. He has written, directed and script edited for ATN Seven’s HOME AND AWAY in Sydney and currently has multiple shows in development.
Tom Sullivan
Tom Sullivan is an award-winning writer and director who was born in Dublin and studied Earth Science at University College Galway. After graduating in 1995, he began acting and has worked consistently in film and television since then. In 2010, Tom began writing and directing short films. His first short, ASAL(2011), premiered at the 2011 Galway Film Festival where it won the Tiernan McBride Award for Best Short Drama. Tom has consistently created award-winning content since then, including his debut feature film ARRACHT (2019) which was nominated for 11 IFTAs (and won two), won The Critics Circle Award Virgin Dublin Film Festival, Audience award at Glasgow Int. Film Festival, Best Film at Kimolos Int. Film Festival and was chosen to represent Ireland in the Best International Feature Film category at the Academy awards 2021.
Michael Kinirons
Award-winning Irish screenwriter and director. He studied English and Philosophy at Trinity College Dublin and went on to study directing at the prestigious National Film and Television School, (NFTS) London. He has had projects selected for the Torino Film Lab, the Britlist, eQuinoxe, EAVE and is a Berlinale Talent Campus alumni. Michael’s first produced feature as screenwriter, STRANGERLAND, an Australian set mystery drama starring Nicole Kidman, Hugo Weaving and Joe Fiennes, had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, 2015. THE SPARROW, Michael’s feature film debut as writer/director, premiered at the Galway Film Fleadh 2022 where it won Best First Irish Feature. Subsequently, it won the meeting point audience award at Valladolid Film Festival and has been nominated for two Irish Film and Television Awards.
Conor McMahon
2022: NO WORRIES IF NOT –TV sketch series for RTÉ Television; 2021: LET THE WRONG ONE IN – Comedy Horror Feature Film starring Anthony Head; Winner of Jury Prize at Screamfest 2021; Nominated for Best Director and Best Screenplay at the Irish Film and Television Academy Awards 2023; 2019: DARKLANDS – two episodes of TV crime series produced by Parallel Films for Virgin Media; 2014: FROM THE DARK – Horror Feature Film Starring Niamh Algar; premiered at Fantastic Fest 2014; 2012: STITCHES – Comedy Horror Feature Film starring Ross Noble; Winner of the Carmel Jove Jury Award at Sitges 2012; 2009: THE DISTURBED – Horror Feature Film starring Carla McGlynn; premiered at Galway Film Fleadh 2009; 2004; DEAD MEAT – Comedy Horror Feature Film starring Marian Araujo.
Conor McMahon
Ben Conway
2023: In development SOMEWHERE IN NORWAY – Take Ten Productions. 2022: ONE WAY – Feature Film directed by Andrew Baird and starring Kevin Bacon and Travis Fimmel. International Sales by Highland Film Group. 2021: NIGHTRIDE – Feature Film directed by Stephen Fingleton and starring Moe Dunford. Winner of Best Actor Award (Moe Dunford) at Irish Film and Television Awards 2022); 2022: SIMON – Short Film written and directed by Ben Conway and Peter J McCarthy and starring Aaron Monaghan – premiered at Galway Film Fleadh 2022 – won Best Drama and Best Irish Film at Fastnet Film Festival 2023; ; 2021: BUGALOO – Short Film written and directed by Ben Conway and Peter J MCarthy and starring Moe Dunford; premiered at Galway Film Fleadh 2021.
Sinead O’Loughlin
2022: LAMB – Screen Ireland Focus Short; Winner of the Audience Award for Best Short Film at the Cork International Film Festival 2022; Official Selection at Tribeca Film Festival 2022; Nominated for 2023 IFTA Award for Best Short Film; 2016: HOMECOMING – Winner of Best Narrative Short Film at Kerry International Film Festival 2016. 2023: VOCATION – Feature Film Screenplay in development with Screen Ireland and Coper Alley Productions.
Maureen O’Connell
A graduate of RADA, with a BA in Acting and a Film Production Diploma from Ballyfermot College, Maureen (Mo) O’Connell has made several award-winning shorts and an award-winning, micro-budget, slacker comedy feature film, SPA WEEKEND. Some credits include – 2022: HAVEN (multi-award-winning) – Semi-Finalist Flickers Rhode Island Intl Film Fest 2023 and Best Short Film B3 Biennale 2023; 2022: BRUISE (multi-award-winning) – Official Selection Galway Film Fleadh 2022 and Best Arthouse Fastnet Film Festival 2023; HUM (multi-award-winning) – Winner of the Audience Award for Best Short Film at the Emerging Lens Film Festival 2021; 2019: SPA WEEKEND (multi-award-winning feature) – Winner of Best International Feature at Polish International Film Festival 2020 and Winner of SHE IS ON FIRE Award Berlin Female Filmmakers Film Fest 2019.
Mark O’Connor
Mark O’ Connor is an Irish writer/director. 2009/10: His debut feature film BETWEEN THE CANALS was released theatrically throughout Ireland and the UK; 2011/13: feature film KING OF THE TRAVELLERS was released in 150 territories worldwide on VOD; 2013: STALKER feature film featuring the first lead role of acclaimed actor Barry Keoghan; 2016: IFTA award-winning CARDBOARD GANGSTERS, which won 8 awards on the international festival circuit before worldwide rights to the film were sold to Netflix; 2023: Mark wrote and directed the six-part IFTA-nominated crime drama DARKLANDS for Virgin Media. 2020 to now CELTS Creator/Writer/Director TV show currently in development with support from EU, Creative Media and Screen Ireland and produced by Samson Films; 2022 to 2023: OUI CANNES Writer/Director – currently filming; 2023: THE DUBLINERS Creator/Writer/Director – Five-part television show in early-stage development.
Éadaoin Fox
Eadaoin Fox is a female director from Cork who is interested in how theatre can present multiple perspectives of one historical event. She has been awarded the 2021 ALISON HODGE DIRECTING PRIZE FOR EXCELLENCE IN THEATRE MAKINGas well as BEST DIRECTOR for DISCO PIGS (Granary Theatre) at the National Irish Student Drama Awards (ISDA’s) 2019 alongside several others. In 2022, she shadowed Margaret Perry’s PARADISE NOW at The Bush Theatre, London. FILM SHORTS: SMELL PVC (Writer & Director), produced by Mank Productions and selected for the Lift Off Global Film Festival 2022 & the Berlin Indie Film Festival 2022. ELECTRA Adaptation (Writer & Director) The Kinko Theatre. Commissioned, produced & funded by The Half Moon Festival, Cork Opera House. PIT (Director) produced & funded by Mank Productions selected for the 21 Islands International Film Festival. STRAIN (Director) produced by Loom Theatre Company and funded by the Cork County Council and The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gealteacht, Sport and Media. A GIRL IS A HALF FORMED THING by Eimear McBride, Adaptation (Writer & Director) The Caryl Churchill Theatre. EARWIG (Director) The Roundy, Mank Productions. THE CHILDREN’S HOUR (Director) Granary Theatre, Mank Productions.
Dave Tynan
Dave is an award-winning director/writer who has directed over a dozen short films and one feature film, DUBLIN OLDSCHOOL. His feature premiered at the BFI London Film Festival in 2018 and enjoyed nationwide cinema distribution. Notable shorts include JUST SAYING, ROCKMOUNT, THE CHERISHING, WE FACE THIS LAND, HEARTBREAK and A CONCRETE SONG. Many of these have received critical acclaim – including two IFTAs and two selections for The Nuits En Or tour, The Best Worldwide Short Films as chosen by L’Académie des Arts et Techniques du Cinéma – as well as viral success, with total views in the millions.
Janna Kemperman
Janna Kemperman is an award winning filmmaker with 10 years experience working in Film & TV in Ireland, UK & Germany. She has 4 short films under her belt. Her latest Screen Ireland supported short film, SHADOW, premiered at the Galway Film Fleadh. It won the Special Mention Award at the Dublin Film Festival 2023 and Best Cinematography at FastNet Film Festival in 2023. It has gone on to screen nationally and internationally winning multiple awards.
Janna has a unique and multidisciplinary vision through having worked in film, photography, theatre and dance. This has allowed her to easily move through genres and styles. Using these techniques she works in Short Films, Music Videos, and promotional films for Ireland’s biggest music festivals Body & Soul and Electric Picnic. She is currently a multi-camera director on RTÉ’s longest-running TV series FAIR CITY and BBC’s EASTENDERS.
Siobhán McMahon
Siobhán is a Director as well as guest Lecturer in Writing and Directing in LIT, Department of Animation and Motion Design.
2018: TAKING STOCK – Short film winner at Carlow International and Newport Beach Film Festival; 2015: THE SECRET DIARY OF FRANCIS NOONE – shortlisted for Best Director for the Galway Film Centre/RTE Short Film Award; 2013: A PLACE AT MY TABLE – shortlisted for Best Director for the Galway Film Centre/RTE Short Film Award, 2011: THE CONSOLATION OF ORION – short film which won the Filmbase/RTE Short Film Award Scheme.
Laura Way
Laura Way is an award winning director who received acclaim for the EastEnders ‘Consent’ episode she directed, which was nominated for Best Single Episode at the British Soap Awards.
Currently: SERIAL KILLERS WIVES – Clapperboard/Black and Box/Paramount+. 2022: MAXINE – Clapperboard/Viacom. 2021/2020: THE HOLIDAY – All3 Media. 2019: BLOOD II – Company Pictures/West Road Pictures. 2018-19: EASTENDERS – BBC. 2016-17: RED ROCK – Company Pictures/Element Pictures. Theatre credits include: THE KILL GOD – Wexford National Opera House; ORANGE FLOWER WATER – Mill Theatre.