Underground Cinema Reel Talk

In this episode, we sit down with composer Natasa Paulberg, nominated for Best Score at the 16th Underground Cinema Film Awards for her work on Remote Strutting.We talk with Natasa about her creative process, the challenges of scoring a story that spans reality and imagination, and how music can give voice to what words and visuals alone cannot.

In this episode, we delve into the haunting world of Ogham — a powerful and atmospheric short film set during the darkest days of the Irish Famine. Joining us are Alan Hopkins, writer and director of the film, and Husni Hafid, producer, as they discuss the creative journey behind this deeply emotional and visually striking story.

In this episode of the Underground Cinema Podcast, we chat with Harvey Harrison Doyle, the writer and director of Nepenthe, a beautifully haunting psychological drama set against the backdrop of the English countryside.The film has been nominated Best Horror Film at the 16th Underground Cinema Film Awards

In this episode, we talk with Rob McCarthy, the writer, director, and lead actor of Civil, joined by Gerry Cannon, who has been nominated for Best Supporting Actor at the 16th Underground Cinema Film Awards. Rob has also received a Rising Star nomination for his debut as a director.Civil is a story about resilience, injustice, and the quiet strength found in ordinary people facing extraordinary circumstances.

In this episode, we sit down with the creative team behind Coming Second, a sharp and heartfelt comedy nominated for Best Comedy at the 16th Underground Cinema Film Awards.Set in small-town Ireland, Coming Second tells the story of Abigail, a young woman from an ultra-religious family who receives shocking news she’s pregnant with the Second Coming of Christ. Torn between faith, family, and her own identity, Abigail’s journey unfolds with humour, warmth, and emotional depth.Joining us are director John Francis Brady, writer and cinematographer Lauren Corlett, production designer Cora Hogan, and cast members Michael Browne and Degnan Geraghty. Together, they share how this student film evolved into a fearless exploration of faith, family, and the search for self all through the lens of darkly funny Irish satire.

Aging rockers, fading dreams, and the beauty of letting go, the team behind Dreamtown joins us to talk truth, music, and redemption.”

In this episode, we speak with writer and producer Dan Burns, whose powerful short film Come Out, Wherever You Are has been nominated for Best International Short Film at the 16th Underground Cinema Film Awards.The film tells the story of Vernon Parrish, a retired mayor seeking peace in rural Montana — until a mysterious global event turns solitude into survival. Described as “Yellowstone meets The Twilight Zone,” the film blends western drama with sci-fi intrigue, exploring our dependence on technology and the fragile nature of human connection.

In this episode, we chat with filmmaker Michael Antonio Keane, writer and director of Into the Silence — a powerful short film nominated for Best Student Film at the 16th Underground Cinema Film Awards.Set against the backdrop of Ireland’s 1990s acid house rave movement, Into the Silence follows a young DJ navigating grief, trauma, and creative rebirth

In this episode we sit down with filmmaker Oisín Moroney to talk about his poignant and beautifully crafted short film Ribbit. The film tells the story of a family whose fragile peace is shattered by a move to a new home. As the young parents grapple with the pressures of change and uncertainty, their son becomes increasingly adrift and isolated — a quiet, heartbreaking exploration of family, disconnection, and the unspoken struggles that lie beneath the surface.Oisín shares insight into the inspiration behind Ribbit, his approach to capturing emotional realism, and how the film’s visual and narrative style reflect the family’s unraveling dynamic.Ribbit has been nominated Best Student Film at the 16th Underground Cinema Film Awards.

In this episode, we sit down with filmmaker Dean, writer, director, and production designer of the haunting period horror The House That Was Not, nominated for Best Production Design at the 16th Underground Cinema Film Awards.Set on the desolate prairies of 1870s Kansas, the film follows an Irish immigrant and her American husband as they confront strange and unsettling forces in their isolated homestead. What begins as a ghost story becomes something deeper, a meditation on grief, trauma, and the lingering shadow of the Irish famine.

In this episode we talk with Deirdre Bolger, the talented production designer behind the haunting and visually striking film Ogham.Set in a world devastated by catastrophe, Ogham follows Eoin, a bereaved father living in isolation on a mountainside after losing his family to the chaos that has consumed the land. When a failed hunt leaves him gravely injured, Eoin is forced to abandon the safety of his cave and confront the harsh, unforgiving world below — a journey that tests the limits of endurance, memory, and survival.Deirdre shares how she helped bring this desolate and emotionally charged landscape to life through production design crafting environments that reflect both Eoin’s inner turmoil and the ruined world he inhabits.

Welcome to the Underground Cinema Podcast, where we shine a light on the incredible filmmakers and storytellers behind this year’s Underground Cinema Film Awards.Joining us today is Luke Corcoran, the creative force behind Matriarch, to talk about his inspiration for the film, his approach to its complex female characters, and his journey as a writer and director. We’re also delighted to welcome Joan Fleetwood, who delivers a commanding performance as the Matriarch and has been nominated for Best Supporting Actress at the 16th Underground Cinema Film Awards.

In this episode, we sit down with Conor Slattery, the multi-award-winning director, DOP, and editor of Small Mercies, and Sinéad Monaghan, the film’s producer and lead actress, who has been nominated for Best Actress at the 16th Underground Cinema Film Awards.Small Mercies is a raw and intimate two-hander that delves into the emotional wreckage left behind after tragedy fractures a once-loving relationship. Balancing anger, humor, and heartbreak, the film captures the painful yet deeply human aftermath of love lost with a quiet honesty that lingers long after the credits roll.

An interview with director Zoe Kavanagh whose film Demon Hunter: Time 2 Kill has been nominated for Best Horror Film and Best Editor at the 16th Underground Cinema Film Awards

An interview with Pádraig J Dunne whose film Dance with the Cranes has been nominated for four awards at the 16th Underground Cinema Film Awards. best Short Iris hFilm, Best Director, Best Screenplay and Best ensemble Cast.

An interview with director Thomas McQuillan whose film The Pursuit Of Forgiveness has been nominated for a Best Actress Award for Niamh Loiuse McGuigan

In this episode, we sit down with Arthur Lopes, director of Freya: Beyond The Mat, and Alberto Rocha, the film’s producer, to discuss their beautifully crafted documentary about one young athlete’s extraordinary journey through the world of competitive jiu-jitsu.Freya: Beyond The Mat follows a ten-year-old girl whose quiet strength, relentless determination, and boundless family support carry her across continents in pursuit of her dream. What begins as a portrait of a promising young athlete grows into an intimate exploration of resilience, identity, family, and the sacrifices that shape who we become.

An interview with Mahée Merica who's film Ariane's Baby won Best Horror Film at the 15th Underground Cinema Film Awards

An interview with Zoe Carlin, who's film A Quare Racket was nominated Best Comedy at the 15th Underground Cinema Film Awards

An interview with Jonathan C. Creasy, producer and write of the short film Trouble which has been nominated in the Best Costume Category at the 15th Underground Cinema Awards

An interview with Ellen Costa who's film Jasmine has been nominated Best International Film at the 15th Underground Cinema Awards. Ellen has also been nominated Best Actress for her performance in the short film Haptic directed by Baz Black

An Interview With Audrey Bridgeman & John Bermingham who's music video Come Away With Me has been nominated Best Music Video at the 15th Underground Cinema Film Awards

An interview with Chris Lennon who's film Fómhar picked up the Best Editor Award at the 15th Underground Cinema Film Awards

An interview with Ciara Kelleher who's film What Makes Great Sex? has been nominated Best Documentary at the 15th Underground Cinema Film Awards

An interview with director Anton Rivas Pertile about his short film In The Old Green Wood. Anoto has been nomiated in the Rising Star category this year and his brother who edited the film is up for Best Editor at the 15th Underground Cinema Film Awards

An interview with Richie McWilliams and Fiona O'Carroll who star in the new short film They Can't Know About Me directed by Michael Carolan. Richie has been nominated Best Actor and Fiona have been nominated Best Supporting Actress at the 15th Underground Cinema Film Awards. Nominations for this years awards: Best Actor - Richard McWilliams Best Supporting Actress - Fiona O'Carroll Best Screenplay Michael Carolan 1st AD Award - Barry Spillane

An interview with film director Denis McArdle, Producer David Butler and Actress Eliza Rae Butler about their new film The Light Within:An Irish Quaker Story. The film has been nominated for five awards at the 15th Underground Cinema Film Awards. Best Actress - Finnuala Gillen Best Supporting Actress - Eliza Rae Butler Best Score - Michael Fleming Best Production Design - Eamonn Elders Best Costume Design - Shiela Rebollo

An interview with Jack Olohan about his short film What Now? Jack has been nominated in the Rising Star category at the 15th Underground Cinema Awards

An interview with film director Baz Woods who's feature film Long Term Affects has been nominated best Independent Feature Film at the 15th Underground Cinema Film Awards

An interview with Daniel Butler who's short film Bean Feasa has been nominated for four awards at the 15th Underground Cinema Film Awards. Best Short Film - Maggie Ryan Best Director - Daniel Butler Best Cinematography - Philip Blake Best Score - Liam McCabe

An interview with Niamh McAllister about her short film Dead On Arrival which has been nominated Best Comedy at the 15th Underground Cinema Film Awards. On top of that Niamh has received a Rising Star nomination also

An Interview With Ciarán Casey & Maksims Baranovskis who's documentary Hectic has been nominated Best Documentary at the 15th Underground Cinema Film Awards

An Interview With Ciarán Hickey who's film Callus has been nominated for 6 awards at the 15th Underground Cinema Film Awards. Best Short Film - Finbar Crotty Best Director - Ciarán Hickey Best Supporting Actor - John Quinn Best Supporting Actress - Clare J Loy 1st AD Award - Jack O'Higgins Best Sound Design - Rob Flynn

An interview with director Sean Breathnach about his new short film The Summoning which has been nominated Best Horror Film at the 15th Underground Cinema Film Award

An interview with Randal Plunkett who's film Marauders has been nominated for four awards at the 15th Underground Cinema Film Awards. Best Supporting Actor - Paul Butler Lennox Best Cinematographer - Randal Plunkett Best Production Design - David Costello Best Costume Design - Carlos Garica & Stephanie Rosebud

An interview with director Craig Moore who's film Barry V's The Binman has been nominated for 6 awards at the 15th Underground Cinema Film Awards. Best Comedy - Craig Moore Best Supporting Actor - John Connors Best Editor - Rossa O'Dowd and Craig Moore 1st AD Award - John Anderson Jnr. Best Sound Design - Colin McKenna Best Score - Padraig Ryan

An interview with Richie Duhig who's film We Swallow The Ocean has been nominated Best Documentary at the 15th Underground Cinema Film Awards

An Interview with Film Director Luke Walters about his new short film, I Made The Time Machine which has been nominated in the Best International Film category at the 15th Underground Cinema Film Awards

An interview with award winning director Alan Dunne whose film Where It All Began has been nomianted in 5 different categories at the 15th Underground Cinema Awards. Best Short Film - Lee-Loi Chieng, Eoin Quinn, Jayne Delahunt & Alan Dunne Best Director - Alan Dunne Best Actor - Lalor Roddy Best Actress - Laylah Beattie Best Screenplay - Alan Dunne

An interview with Maria McLeod who's debut film has been nominated Best Independent Feature Film at the 15th Underground Cinema Film Awards

An interview with filmmaker Thomas Wallace whose ilm Where Eagle Scouts Dare has been nominated for Best Student Film at the 15th Underground Cinema Film Awards

An interview with Peter J McCarthy & Ben Conway about thei award winning short film Simon. Simon has been nomianted for Best Short Film - Rob Earley & Mark Griffin, Best Director - PeterJ McCarthy & Ben Conway, Best Actor - Aaron Monaghan, Best Screenplay - Ben Conway, Best Sound Design - Colm O'Rourke, Andrew Kirwan, Ciara Walsh, Best Cinematographer - Burschi Wojnar and Best Production Design - Micheál Fitzgerald

An interview with director Jason Figgis and actor Steven Jess on the new indie feature The House At The End Of The Lane starring Patrick Bergin, Sharon McCoy & Steven Jess. The film has been nominated Best Independent Feature Film at the 15th Underground Cinema Film Awards.

Part of our series of online interviews in the run up to the 15th Underground Cinema Awards, Dave Byrne interviews Tony Kelly who has been nominated for a Rising Star Award. His feature film Gar Campion: A Hurlers Tale has also been nominated for Best Independent Feature Film

An interview with director Luke Walters on his film I Made War of the Worlds which won the Best International Film at the 14th Underground Cinema Awards Film Synopsis After a down-and-out podcaster is fired due to a rapid decline in ratings, he turns his attention to the mass hysteria myth of the 1938 radio drama "The War of the Worlds" to get his career back on track. With the help of his more successful yet reluctant friend, and a naive waitress/wannabe actress with dreams of grandeur, the trio set out to recreate a hoax alien invasion to cause chaos, go viral, and bring them the fame and fortune they desire.

An interview with award winning director Cathal Boland on his short film Who Shot Sergeant Kirwan. Film Synopsis The film is based on material taken from original witness statements, now held in the Military History Archives. These statements are made by those who took part in these events, and locals and family members who had knowledge about an event which took place in Ballyboghil, a small rural agricultural village located in Fingal, North County Dublin during the Irish War of Independence. During Spring in 1921, talks of a truce between Britain and Ireland were in the air. Terrible months from the Autumn of 1920 had left the people hurt and bruised, yet determined to fight on to victory. Like in all such wars, life went on, an attack here, an attack there, and so it was on this Spring April day. What happened has left lasting memories. This film shares that village story with a wider audience

An interview with Underground Cinema Award winner Johnny French and Underground Cinema Nominee Sean Deery about thei award winning film The Rock In The Sea Film Synopsis "A Monk living in 9th century Ireland must contend with grief, despair, isolation and his own identity, on a far-off desolate rock." Set against the backdrop of the viking expansion era in the late 9th century. An Irish Monk living on a remote island rock must confront grief and contend with despair as his hope falls into decay. It becomes a question of his own morality, as he endures a life of complete solitude. Being torn between defeat and finding a path for resolve.

An interview with Underground Cinema Rising Star Winner, Adam Cahill about his feature film Follow The Dead Film Synopsis As viral videos seem to evidence the fall of Dublin at the hands of the undead, four Millennials in rural Ireland can’t discern fake news from real. Has a dependent lifestyle left them too naive to weather their fate?

An interview with Joe Rooney who stars in the fantastic short film Dead Dog, nomianed for three Underground Cinema Film Awards in 2002. Film Synopsis An out of work comedian sees his luck change after making a social media post about his dying pet.

An interview with the team behind the award winning 'The Tale Of Billy OC'. Film Synopsis The Tale of Billy O'C is an Irish crime thriller strongly focused on an unpredicatble plot with twists, keeping the audience wanting to know what happens next. It's a story of vilification, family dedication, redemption and a desire for peace. Set in a small village in Count Kilkenny, Ireland in 1975, it unfolds with a backdrop of an IRA safe house and small-town politics.