The Laois Short Film Bursary award 2022 has been awarded to Songway Films for their short film The Light Within. The film is a supernatural tale set in Rosenallis, Queen’s County, (Co. Laois) in 1780 where Lydia, a teenager must defy her Quaker upbringing to save her ailing younger sister. This is the first film to dramatize Quaker culture in Ireland. Principal Photography commences in the Autumn.

The successful team awarded the bursary consists of writer/director Denis McArdle from Dublin and producer David Butler from Portarlington. Denis McArdle is an award winning director and has experience making TV commercials, documentaries, and corporate work for the European market, and has created several short films funded by Screen Ireland.

Producer, David Butler has a background in animation and worked on the BAFTA award winning Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Most recently, he co-produced the WW1 drama short film The Land, currently in post-production, for Frame It Productions.

Director/Writer Denis McArdle is interested in finding new talents within Laois and the casting process will begin in the first two weeks of September with casting agent, Amy Rowan. Further information on how to get involved will be available on Creative Ireland Laois social media platforms.

The next round of the Laois Short Film Bursary Award will be open to writers, directors and producers early in 2023. 

Please note that the details of events listed above are provided by the relevant Local Authorities.