The 16th annual Film Fest Petaluma in California will showcase a diverse selection of short films from 14 countries, including Ireland. One of the standout entries from over 1,000 submissions is the Irish language short film ‘Scríofa sna Réaltaí / Written in the Stars’, directed by Vincent Gallagher and produced by Sin É Films.
This heartfelt film follows the inspiring journey of Seán, a nine-year-old neurodivergent boy, who dreams of acting despite the challenges he faces. With unwavering determination and the support of his family, Seán decides to audition for his school play in this uplifting tale about defying the odds and overcoming one’s limitations.
“We are absolutely thrilled to represent Ireland at Film Fest Petaluma and to share ‘Scríofa sna Réaltaí’ with audiences alongside films from 14 countries in total,” said Sinéad Ní Loideáin, the film’s producer.
The festival’s diverse line-up highlights the global reach and universal appeal of short filmmaking, with ‘Scríofa sna Réaltaí’ serving as a shining example of Irish language storytelling. The film was shot in Connemara, Co. Galway and features a talented cast including Lochlann Ó Mearáin, Tara Breathnach, Ruarc Ó Confhaola, and Grace Ridge, with a creative team led by director Vincent Gallagher, DOP Tomás Mac Donnacha, and writer Seán Ó Caollaí.
Vincent Gallagher, the IFTA award winning director, expressed his excitement about ‘’Scríofa sna Réaltaí’’ being chosen for the international film festival; “We are delighted to have been selected for the festival and look forward to seeing the film on the big screen with an international audience.”
Máire Uí Choisdealbha, Commissioning Editor at TG4, said; “We wish ‘Scríofa sna Réaltaí’ every success on its road through the film festivals. The film was commissioned by TG4 as part of the Eurovision Children’s Drama Series 2023 - EBU (European Broadcasting Union ) initiative - and we eagerly anticipate broadcasting this inspiring film on TG4 soon.”
