DFFF2019 is proud once again to present a selection of short films directed by women from around the world. In keeping with this year’s theme, we have included several Irish shorts, but we’ve also chosen to use this programme to maintain our historical focus on international filmmaking.
The Beekeeper (2019) Ireland (6.29)
Dir. Robyn Conroy
Deep in the heart of a bamboo forest, a paternal bear watches over Mae, a spirited young girl that he is raising. Sustained by the collection of beehives that the bear tends to, the two live together in peaceful harmony. However, in order to continue this peaceful way of life there is one rule that Mae cannot break - she must never enter the bee yard where the bees are kept. Everything must change for the two when she does.
Moon Rabbit (2018) Japan (14.25)
Dir. Kae Ho
During a visit to her grandparents in Japan, everything changes for 7-year-old Rio, who is obsessed with the Japanese folklore, Moon Rabbit. She observes the beauty and unfamiliarity of the household, sensing a distance between her American family and the Japanese relatives. When her mother, Seiko, reveals an open secret, the children are excused from the room and something happens behind closed doors.
Tra na mban / Ladies Beach (2019) Mexico (6.36)
Dir. Carmen Garcia Gonzalez
In the west coast of Ireland, a group of Irish women 40 to 80 years old swim every morning in the Atlantic cold waters come rain or shine. Martell, who hasn’t missed a day in 10 years now, let us know how is it for her and the swimmers to meet at the Ladies Beach in Galway, vent together under the cold water and share a hot coffee and a warm chat afterwards. A tight-knit bunch brought together by their love to the sea.
Driving Lessons (2019) Iran (12.48)
Dir. Marziyeh Riahi
According to the laws of Iran, Bahareh must have her traditional, chauvinistic husband accompany her to driving lessons so she and her instructor will not be alone.
Clay Project (2017) Ireland (4.50)
Dir. Kathy Raftery
Clay Project is a short documentary about the visual artist Vanessa Donoso López. Originally from Barcelona she currently resides in Dublin. This short documentary follows her on a journey to her home country and takes a closer look at her work process whilst on a residency in the town of Alanis near Seville in Spain. Her work focuses on the idea of identity and cross culture. She deals directly with clay and the idea that when you remove land from a particular place you are dealing with that place as directly as possible. Whilst you are handling this material you are dealing with the unique historical, biological, climatological and cultural data from the place it was sourced.
Early Days (2018) UK (12.00)
Dir. Nessa Wrafter
EARLY DAYS is a short drama about a new mother, Kate, (Maimie McCoy). In the days following her return from hospital, she’s rocked by finding her world altered beyond recognition.
Her partner Steve, (Adrian Bower), is aware of her precarious mental state — but his delight at their newborn makes it hard for them to connect. Though Kate knows she’s lucky to have become a mother, and her instincts toward her baby are fiercely protective, post-natal trauma and hallucinations make the world increasingly hard to bear. Can anything pull her back to reality — before it’s too late?”
Mother (2018) Ireland (9.24)
Dir. Natasha Waugh
They said there’s no replacement for a mother’s love...
Followed by a discussion with some of the filmmakers and awards ceremony.
THANK YOU TO OUR PRIZE SPONSORS MediaDrives.ie and Camerakit.ie
