The Creative Ireland Laois, Short Film Bursary award 2023 has been awarded to Laois born creatives, Aisling Conroy and Dr Yvonne Hennessy for Thresholds.
Thresholds is an evocative and contemplative short documentary that delves into the lives of an Undertaker and a Midwife, exploring their unique perspectives and the intricate relationship between life and death.
These are the people that guide us into the living world, and through to our demise; from the cradle to the grave.
Through their personal stories, the film seeks to unravel the profound mysteries and interconnectedness of these two fundamental aspects of human existence.
The successful team who has been awarded the bursary consists of writer/director, Aisling Conroy from Portlaoise. and producer, Dr Yvonne Hennessy from Ballyroan.
Aisling Conroy is a multidisciplinary fine artist and film director.
She is the Writer, Director and Co-Art Director of the award winning animated short film BARDO (2021) produced by the animation studio and maps and plans.
BARDO won Best Debut Short Animation at the Galway Film Fleadh 2021, Best Short Film at the Dublin Animation Film Festival, and Best Art Direction and Design at the Irish Animation Awards 2023.
BARDO was also nominated for the Irish Film and Television Academy Awards (IFTA) and had its US Premiere at Tribeca both in 2022.
Aisling is currently working with elk Studios as their Development Director and Episodic Director, as well as having directed their most recent short film The Last Set (2023) which had its World Premiere at the 35th Galway Film Fleadh in July this year and is now on its way to doing the National and International festival circuit.
Thresholds will be Aisling’s directorial debut in documentary filmmaking.
“We are very excited to be awarded the Laois Film Bursary 2023,” Aisling said.
“It is an incredible opportunity to make this documentary in Laois, and deal with subject matters that are dear to both me and Yvonne’s hearts.
“Thank you to Laois Arts Office and Creative Laois, we’re very much looking forward to making this project and contributing to the already growing film culture in our home county.”
Dr Yvonne Hennessy has 20 years’ film and animation industry experience
She has produced international television series and feature films for cinematic release in several artistic roles as well as in supervisory and managerial positions.
Yvonne publishes written work annually in academic journals and delivers at conferences that promote film and animation studies.
She is currently working on several book chapters for international publishers and is writing a history of Irish animation which will be the first written history of animation in Ireland spanning over 100 years.
Yvonne is a lecturer at the Technological University of the Shannon – Athlone Campus where she is the Programme Leader on the BA (Hons) in Animation and Illustration.
Filming commences in late 2023 and it is anticipated that Thresholds will be completed by April 2024 for the Irish and international film festival circuit.
The award winners will be seeking Laois-based candidates to take part in the documentary and will be sourcing local film crew to facilitate the production.
Dr Yvonne Hennessy said: “I am delighted to have been awarded the Laois Film Bursary 2023 along with Aisling.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for us as the creative team, but also for filmmaking in Laois and the visibility that this bursary gives to future film-making activities in the county.”
The panel members Arthur Lappin and Michael-David Mc Kernan were very impressed by the range and ambition of the entries for 2023 Laois Short Film Bursary.
The next round of the Laois Short Film Bursary Award will be open to writers, directors, and producers early in 2024.
Further details from Muireann Ní Chonaill, Arts Officer, Laois County Council, Portlaoise, Co Laois. artsoff@laoiscoco.ie
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