Kerry filmmaker head over heels to be Oscar nominee

Head Over Heels is the name of the film that could bring her Oscar glory but it also describes how a young Co Kerry filmmaker feels about being nominated for the industry’s biggest awards.

“We’re over the moon,” said Fodhla Cronin O’Reilly of finding herself in contention for a statuette in the best animated short film category. “It’s amazing. It hasn’t really sunk in.”

Producer Fodhla, 26, from the village of Cromane near Killorglin, Co Kerry, shares the nomination with the film’s director, New York-based Tim Reckart, who was her classmate at the National School of Film and Television in England where Head Over Heels was made as a student project.

The pair knew they were in with a chance when they made the Oscars shortlist last November, but there was a nerve-wracking wait this week to see if they’d made the final cut.

“Myself and Tim were on Skype waiting to hear the announcement so we were able to keep each other calm. But it just went a bit crazy then. We spent all afternoon taking calls. Everyone from home has been on. It’s been non-stop.

“We are absolutely overwhelmed and excited all at the once. What a huge honour,” she added.

Luckily, Fodhla has understanding employers. She recently started work in London for Parallel Films, the Irish-British company behind movies like Breakfast on Pluto, Intermission and more recently, Albert Nobbs.

But then her bosses know the value of having a potential Oscar winner in their stable, as Nobbs was nominated for three Oscars last year.

Fodhla says, however, she hasn’t had time to think of what the exposure could do for her career.

In fact, she hasn’t even had time to consider what is arguably the most pressing issue for nominees — what to wear on the red carpet. “I know nothing about that world. I have friends in that world so they can give me some advice,” she said.

Back home in Cromane where her parents, Patrick and Irene, four sisters and one brother were leading the local celebrations, her wardrobe was already being taken care of.

Patrick said he had received numerous calls from dress designers asking to dress his daughter for the awards and if nothing suited, he threatened she might just don a Kerry jersey.

The proud father said he had always known his eldest child was destined for great things. “Fodhla has always followed her dreams. But this thing did not come in with the tide or in with the wind — she has worked incredibly hard,” he said.

With such praise, Patrick makes himself a contender for the coveted guest ticket to the Feb 24 ceremony, but mum Irene is first in the queue.

“The arrangements have to be confirmed yet but the whole crew of the film — and really it’s their nomination too — are going to come over so we’ll have plenty of support,” said Fodhla.

The talented producer spent a year studying film at St John’s Central College in Cork before heading to Britain to further her studies.

The whimsical Head Over Heels tells of a “marriage [literally] turned upside down” when a couple drift apart, one half living on the floor of their house and the other on the ceiling. It has been on the festival circuit but it will be put on the market for bids by broadcasters later this year.

Minister for Arts Jimmy Deenihan congratulated Fodhla on what he said was a “wonderful achievement”.