Ardmore Studios set to join Wicklow Stories Film Festival

The Wicklow Stories Film Festival remains the only independent film festival in the county, with support coming from The Whale Theatre and Rise at the Cove Cafe. It is independently organised by Marlena Murphy and Ronika Merl, who have been collaborating on the project since 2022.

Ardmore Studios has been the base for many successful Irish and international productions and the festival organisers are thrilled to be working with this Bray-based institution with such rich heritage and strong ties with local people.

"This is a very special collaboration based on a belief that Wicklow stories and the filmmakers are important ones to be heard and seen. Wicklow is often used, to pretend to be other locations, we want to celebrate Wicklow for what it is, its beauty, its people and its stories," they said.

This year the festival is introducing a very special Ardmore Studio Recognition Award, which will be announced and presented by Ardmore Studios managing director Elaine Geraghty, , during the evening show on Saturday, October 12 in the Whale Theatre.

"Ardmore Studios has been a resident of Wicklow since 1958. We have a proud history of being part of the community since the gates opened and have seen generations of local families, crew, film and TV productions over the years, and to this day," Ms Geraghty said.

"Ardmore was very pleased to be invited to partner with the Wicklow Film Festival and together we will recognise and showcase the depth of local talent and creativity that we have on our doorstep. We hope that we will see some, or all, of these talented filmmakers bring their work to Ardmore in the future," she continued.

"The fact that submissions rate soared by 300pc on last year's numbers, surpassed our wildest expectations. It also reassured us in our initial, strong belief from three years ago, that there is a bigger need than ever for an independent Wicklow film festival to showcase these films, that perhaps otherwise would never get a chance to be appreciated by local audiences.

"These stories are extraordinary and we have an incredible lineup for you this year. The standard of submissions was extremely high and we are already thinking about expanding the festival next year to accommodate the growing amount of brilliant entries."

The selected short movies for this year's festival, are: NEXT, directed by Gerard Walsh, Wicklow - A Symphony of Light, directed by Rafal Rozalski, Where It All Began, directed by Alan Dunne, Alive Again, directed by Seán Treacy, Mourning, directed by Jackie Walsh, Take Care Now, directed by Richard Childs, Sonoma, directed by Brian Brennan, Ó Lá Go Lá, directed by Stu Teehan, Shiv. The Seanchaí of Greystones, directed by Tim Taylor

For tickets, go to: whaletheatre.ie