Women in Film and TV Podcast

What makes a great film? It all starts with the script. It’s the blueprint of your story, a well-mixed cocktail of theme, structure and character. In this panel discussion, which took place this summer, WFT is showcasing the work and careers of three professional screenwriters working across a range of platforms - from soap, to feature writing, to comedy series. Hosted by WFT Chair Dr. Susan Liddy...

The relationship between a director and a cinematographer (DOP) is one of the key creative forces in the process of making a film. For this online workshop, which took place online in 2020, WFT spoke with a working duo, Writer/Director Oonagh Kearney (Five Letters To The Stranger Who Will Dissect My Brain) and DOP Eleanor Bowman (The Girl with the Mechanical Maiden) about their creative process. U...

Do you know that female actors start to slide off our screens when they hit their 40s? Unless your name is Frances, Meryl or Judi chances are you won’t lead a film though you may have a better shot in television. You’ll have less dialogue and the parts you are offered will often be little more than clichés and stereotypes. Small, inconsequential roles. For 2021, WFT is spotlighting this issue. It’...

Screen Ireland’s POV Scheme was established to support women filmmakers, and in 2020 four live-action fiction titles were commissioned with a budget limit of €400,000. In this podcast, which was recorded last April, POV Writer/Directors Kate Dolan and Antonia Campbell-Hughes talk to us about working on their two films You Are Not My Mother and It Is In Us All respectively. This event has been made...

Ever wonder what it’s like to direct on a big-budget production? Last April our Vice Chair Jaro Waldeck was in conversation with international TV Director Hannah Quinn. We spoke with Hannah about her craft, how she got started and her progression from a trainee assistant director to a director on large scale – large ensemble TV series, and her advice when it comes to directing projects with budget...

This June, WFT hosted a dedicated webinar with the Broadcast Authority of Ireland designed to demystify the application process. During this online panel chat, WFT Chair Dr. Susan Liddy and Vice-Chair Jaro Waldeck spoke with the decision makers from the BAI Sound and Vision scheme about this funding process. BAI Managers, Deborah Molloy Bergin, Philip Cooper and Sara McNamara provided us valuable...

How can we support parents and carers in the industry? The 2020 edition of the Cork International Film Festival’s film industry training days were available to filmmakers worldwide to attend and covered topics ranging from the technical to the ethical. In this panel discussion, WFT chair, Dr Susan Liddy (Raising Films Ireland) was in conversation with producer Ailish Bracken (Chair, Raising Films...

When it comes to shooting films, they say never work with children or animals - but what about filming an entire feature around the life of one impressive horse? On Friday 28th May, WFT Board Member Fiona Kinsella was in conversation with fellow producer Tracy O’Riordan about her film Dream Horse. Based on a true story, this warm, wonderful feature, which features Toni Colette and Damien Lewis, is...

What does it take to be an award-winning animator? On Tuesday 30th March WFT Board Member Jaro Waldeck continues the WFT Crew Talks Series, and was in conversation with Oscar-Nominated Animator Daria Kashcheeva. Daria spoke about her inspiration, her creative techniques as well as what it was like attending the Oscars. This event was supported by Screen Skills Ireland, https://wft.ie/

This podcast was recorded in 2017 in Brooks Hotel, at our Writing and Directing Masterclass which took place 29th May. With a room full of WFT members and guests, accomplished filmmaker Aisling Walsh shared her tips, advice, and experience in a dedicated Q&A. About Aisling Walsh Over the last two decades, Walsh has cemented a reputation as one of Ireland’s pre-eminent filmmakers in both feature fi...

When it comes to telling jokes visually, there’s nothing that beats the medium of film. Here at WFT, we were delighted to host a panel for the Dublin International Comedy Film Festival on 4th December last year. This discussion featured some impressive women, both local and international, who are creating content to make people laugh at a time when we need it the most. Panelists included filmmaker...

When it comes to telling jokes visually, there’s nothing that beats the medium of film. Here at WFT, we were delighted to host a panel for the Dublin International Comedy Film Festival on 4th December last year. This discussion featured some impressive women, both local and international, who are creating content to make people laugh at a time when we need it the most. Panelists included filmmaker...

Our latest podcast is the audio from our Legal Clinic event at the Cork Film Festival 2019, where LK Shields media law expert, Jeanne Kelly explains Copyright Law in detail. Just to note this event took place over a year ago; for the most up to date info on Copyright contact LK Shields directly at https://www.lkshields.ie/people/profile/jeanne-kelly About this Event When it comes to copyright law,...

On Thursday, December 3rd WFT Chair Dr. Susan Liddy was in conversation with the CEO of the Swedish Film Institute, the legendary Anna Serner. Since her appointment in 2011, Serner has delivered 5050 in Sweden and has become one of the most influential figures in the international industry. Earlier this year she announced, “I’m not afraid to give bigger budgets to only women for one year.” Serner...

On the 9th November, WFT hosted the live ‘In Her Own Voice’ | Women talk film panel at the Cork International Film Festival's Industry Days event. Presented in partnership with CIFF with support from the BAI, this session celebrated the recent successes and accomplishments of three Irish female filmmakers, and the positive initiatives and structural changes that have occurred in the industry in th...

From how to avoid those 'Sainsbury moments' to finding the truth in a scene, on Monday 5th October 2020, WFT member, writer, filmmaker and performer Mo O’Connell was chatting about all things acting with Line of Duty‘s Rochenda Sandall about her impressive career to date. About Rochenda Sandall Having grown up in the village of Goxill, nearby Grimsby, Rochenda Sandall studied acting at the Royal A...

Are you thinking about becoming a composer? On Tuesday, 30th June 2020, WFT Board Member Jaro Waldeck spoke with award-winning composer Natasa Paulberg about her musical career, her experience working in the industry and her tips on how she approaches a project. About Natasa Paulberg Natasa is an award-winning Australian/Irish composer, performer and conductor who writes music for film, gaming, tr...

On Tuesday 23rd June 2020, WFT Vice-Chair Vanessa Gildea was in conversation with award-winning director Dearbhla Walsh about her directing career to date. The pair of filmmakers spoke about filming techniques, working in the industry and personal experiences - as well as taking questions from our WFT members and supporters. About Dearbhla Walsh: Dearbhla Walsh is from Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo. She...

WFT in association with the 28th Galway Film Fleadh presented a special panel on creating a stronger voice for women – when writing, casting and auditioning – on the Saturday, July 9th of the 2016 edition of the festival. Panelists included International and Irish talent Screenwriter Kirsten Smith who co-wrote Legally Blonde, 10 Things I Hate About You and Ella Enchanted, casting supremo Louise Ki...

As part of the 63rd Cork International Film Festival on the 15th November 2018, Vanessa Gildea, the Vice-Chair of Women in Film and TV, took part in a very special screening of Pat Murphy's Maeve, which was followed by an intimate Q&A where Pat discussed her work and experiences working in the industry. Pat Murphy, Film Artist in Residence at UCC and one of Ireland’s most radical filmmakers, best...

WFT Podcast Panel: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Crowd-Funding! As a special treat, for this month's WFT Podcast, we've delved deep into the archives. On Tuesday 17th November 2015, WFT held a very special event in O’Callaghan Hotel, St Stephens Green where Kathryn Kennedy, Katie Holly, Frankie Fenton and Aoife Kelly shared their crowdfunding advice and experiences with our members. Cro...

On Wednesday, 19th December 2018, Oscar-nominated writer Kirsten Sheridan delivered a focussed masterclass on the art of writing for screen for our Women in Film and TV Ireland members. This panel discussion took place in Brooks Hotel and was facilitated by the WFT Co-Chair at the time, screenwriter, Lauren Mackenzie. About Kirsten: Kirsten Sheridan is an accomplished Irish film director and scree...

In this podcast, Aideen Burke from leading Irish Corporate and Commercial law firm LK Shields breaks down Section 481. What does changing legislation mean for the industry? How can filmmakers avail of Section 481 to get their films across the line? WFT Ireland, in conjunction with the Cork Film Festival, hosted a special legal event for filmmakers on Thursday, 14th November 2019. The day saw a pre...

When it comes to finding success - what can make an actor stand out from the crowd? In this podcast, actress and director Aoife Nic Ardghail has an in-depth chat with casting director Ali Coffey about the industry and her very varied career to date. About Ali Coffey Ali is known for her high energy and quick wit, but beneath the great jokes told badly and unforgettable red hair is a casting direct...

Is 5050×2020 a real possibility or an empty slogan? This panel discussion on the ongoing work for gender equality in the Irish film/TV industry took place at the Galway Film Fleadh 2019. This event was organised jointly by the Equality Action Committee (EAC) of the Writers Guild & Screen Directors Guild and Women in Film and Television Ireland. The Panel included Stephanie Comey, Dr. Annie  Doona,...