A programme of inspiring Irish and European shorts curated by Cork International Film Festival and selected from their 2023 festival.

Cork International Film Festival is once again delighted to partner with First Cut! Youth Film Festival to present a special programme of shorts that not only highlight the type of international filmmaking we champion, but also shines a light on some up-and-coming Irish filmmakers, one of whom, we are pleased to know, began their filmmaking journey here at First Cut! – Don O’Mahony, Senior Programmer, CIFF

Canine (Paul Webster) – Ireland, 2023

Conservation has become a war. On one side are the rangers protecting vulnerable wildlife. On the other, ruthless poaching gangs. Half a world away, an elite dog trainer wants to use his skills to help the situation.

Nest (Hlynur Pálmason) – Denmark, 2022

A story of siblings building a treehouse together over the course of a year. We experience the beauty and brutality of the seasons, as we follow them through their struggles and moments of joy.

GHOSTS (LA (HORDE)) – France, 2022

When the Fine Arts Museum closes, figures take over the deserted place.

Cumha (Elena Horgan) – Ireland, 2023

An experimental film/poetic documentary that explores the intersections of language, land, and identity.

The Immeasurable Grief of the Prawn (Elinor O’Donovan) – Ireland, 2023

A cook serves a vegetarian a prawn curry. Three friends discuss the shortcomings of memory. Two squirrels ponder the ethical quandaries of eating a prawn sanga. Meanwhile, on the sea-floor, The Prawn performs a funerary ritual for its brethren.

The screening will be followed by a Q&A moderated by Don O’Mahony with filmmaker Elena Horgan and a key participant in Canine, Rory Hennebry.