OSCAILT opens up Irish language at film festival

The latest shorts commissioned under the OSCAILT short film scheme, jointly funded by Bord Scannán na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board and TG4, will premiere at the Cork Film Festival on Saturday.

The Oscailt scheme has produced a number of award-winning short films and showcases the wealth of Irish film talent working in the Irish language.

Included in this years line-up is Fluent Dysphas. Scripted and directed by one of Ireland’s hottest emerging directors Daniel O’Hara, Fluent Dysphas is a humorous story starring Stephen Rea, who wakes one day, mysteriously speaking perfect Irish, which he never could before, and having forgotten how to speak English.

O’Hara’s previous short Yu Ming is anim dom continues to scoop a host of prestigious awards around the globe.

Other Oscailt shorts include An Díog is faide, produced by Karen Edmonds, producer/director of RTE’s Prime Time series. An Díog is faide is currently screening in cinemas nationwide with Irish feature Man About Dog.

It was written and directed by Hugh Farley.

The other shows in the OSCAILT series include producer Hilary O’Donovan teaming up with Mary Crumlish, for her directorial debut with Idir An Dhá Chomairle, scripted and starring Anne Learmont from Ros na Rún.

The last of the Oscailt’s to premiere this year comes from the Cartoon Saloon team and is an animated piece entitled Cuillín Dualach, scripted by Jackie Mac Donnacha and directed by Nora Twomey.

"The Oscailt short film scheme is very important as it provides the opportunity for Irish filmmakers to tell Irish stories in our native language," said Moira Horgan of BSE/IFB.

This is the seventh season of Oscailt at Cork.