*Cian Hughes.
A short film shot in Ennis and Shannon last year is being screened to audiences across the United States of America this week with early reviews of the performance of a Clare actor in his first role described as highly positive.
An eight day special screening to celebrate Europe Day sees the Irish Consulate in New York and Irish Screen America present PADDY to US audiences.
Directed by Roisin Kearney, PADDY was produced by Maeve McGrath and Keith Bogue with Sinead Collopy the writer behind the short film. It was funded by Creative Ireland, Clare Arts Office and Clare County Council.
Ennis actor Cian Hughes stars in what is his first role. The teenager is currently filming a role for the second series of Smother and will sit his Leaving Certificate next month.
Since its world premier at The Galway Film Fleadh, PADDY has been shown all over America and Europe. It was broadcast at this year’s Virgin Media Dublin International Film Festival, the Kerry International Film Festival and the Waterford Film Festival. It won Best Irish Short at the Catalyst International Film Festival.
PADDY had a special screening at the St Patrick’s Film Festival in London this year. This week, it is to be shown as part of the Toronto Irish Film Festival. It will also feature in Sweden, Turin and across Italy, later this month it will form part of the Fastnet Film Festival and the Carlow Arts Festival before going to Bulgaria then back to Toronto in July.
Moloney’s Bar on O’Connell St in Ennis and the street itself was the base for a vast amount of the filming which took place over a weekend before Christmas.
Producer Keith Bogue told The Clare Echo that the assistance of Ann Moloney and her family was integral to the short film running smoothly. “We’ve been trying to get back to thank Ann and hopefully we’ll get there when the lockdown is over,” he outlined.
Keith predicted that Cian will be one to watch in the acting sphere judging by the reaction to his on-screen debut. “The feedback we have been getting from film festivals across the world about him has been amazing,” he admitted.
