Fastnet Short Film Festival » About The Festival

About The Festival

We are an independent festival dedicated to bringing together established and first-time filmmakers in a forum to celebrate the short film. The element of competition is not paramount and while the prizes are significant, it’s the taking part and screening of entrants’ films in a public arena that counts. Our commitment, therefore, is to screen as many of the short films entered into our competitions as possible.

Because we seek to encourage young filmmakers to pick up their cameras for the first time, what we are looking for is imaginative solutions to inevitable production budget limitations. In other words, if you don’t have enough money to hire the latest camera, lighting and sound recording equipment let alone the best actors in the country, then don’t write a script that depends on these factors. As simple as it may sound, a good film always starts with a good script. This year we have a special prize of €2,500 for the best young filmmaker aged 22 years or younger on 1st March 2010. Our main competition, the best of festival, is open to all filmmakers over 18 years on 1st March 2010 and also carries a prize of €2,500. There will be additional cash prizes of €250 for the categories of Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Drama, Best Comedy, Best Documentary, Best Animation, Best Original Music, Best Cinematography and Best Experimental/ Dance.

We would also encourage participants to attend our festival and take part in the workshops and audiences with our guest directors. Last year we had special audiences with Jim Sheridan, Gerard Stembridge, Jack Gold, Kirsten Sheridan and Tony Barry. We will be announcing our full programme before our launch in April 2010.

Despite not having a cinema, Schull has a dream. On 27th May 2010 for four days from the Cinemobile to the Town Hall to the Harbour View Hotel, embracing many outdoor and indoor venues up and down the town, Schull will go short film festival crazy with your short films on show for all to see. Whether you like to make films or watch them, come along, participate and help us to realize our dream.