A murder mystery, dramas about trafficking and trans rights, and the story of a woman with an addiction to mustard are among the eight projects that have been selected to be developed for RTÉ and Screen Ireland's Storyland short film competition.
Of the eight dramas developed, three 25-minute films will be commissioned for production before being aired on RTÉ2 and the RTÉ Player.
Storyland has been going for 10 years and has acted as a springboard for Irish film and television talent in that time. RTÉ and Screen Ireland announced additional funding for this year's competition, which received more than 200 entries.
"It’s brilliant to bring commissioned drama back to RTÉ2 in the shape of a new supersized Storyland with three new single dramas for the autumn," David Crean, acting head of drama at RTÉ, said.
"It was an extremely hard decision to select the eight teams to go into development, but we are very excited by the unique voices and the wide range of stories coming through this year. And Screen Ireland are fantastic partners as we focus on talent and development to bring amazing Irish drama to audiences in the years to come."
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"We are delighted to invest in Storyland and are thrilled with the calibre of talent and stories received through the submission process," Andrew Byrne, Screen Ireland television project manager, added.
"We look forward to working closely with the RTÉ team on the next stages of development, investing in emerging diverse voices and ultimately delivering three high-quality productions to our screens later in the year.”
Details of the eight selected projects can be seen below.
Blor Hall by Rioghnach Ni Ghrioghair
Producer: Deirdre Levins, Fantastic Films
You are cordially invited to Balor Hall… Murder is on the menu. This is a Knifes Out/Succession whodunnit around a family land grab set in a large country house.
Blood and Water by Nessa Wrafter
Producer: Rebecca O’Flanagan, Treasure Entertainment
A woman's peaceful life is disrupted by the return of her long lost sister, and everyone expects her to be happy about it. Joy and pain come hand in hand as the siblings try to rebuild their relationship.
Every Five Miles by Sinéad Collopy
Producers: Colmán Mac Cionnaith & Cormac Fox, Vico Films
In sight but out of mind; a young petrol station attendant is drawn into the harsh world of a trafficked immigrant car washer, torn between speaking out at the risk of losing everything.
Fixation by Joy Buckle
Producer: Stephen McCormack, Reflektor Media
A woman is cyber stalked and is terrified. The stalker ends up being her new partner. A story about surveillance, stalking and entrapment.
Goodnight Girl by Hiram Harrington
Producer: Maggie Ryan, Escape Pod Media
Four queer friends attend the funeral of their trans friend, only to find her conservative family is burying her under her dead name and denying her true gender. The friends band together to carry out her last wishes: steal her ashes, and have their own funeral for her.
Mustard by Eva O’Connor
Producer: Jason Forde, Four Quadrant Films
Eilis is addicted to mustard. When she falls madly in love, she’s sure her demons are finally banished, but when the relationship breaks down her shameful addiction to the yellow stuff returns with a vengeance.
Small Fish by Simon Delaney
Producer: Owen McCardle, Oddboy Media
A self-employed everyman is on the brink, as he struggles with the loss of his father, his family home and the love and respect of those close to him. As he continues to run out of options, one looms large, but could the death of a local politician provide a way out?
Ward-7 by Jonathan Hughes
Producers: Ali Doyle & Trish Ryan for Savage Productions
The Ward family are in a race against time to get to hospital as one of their youngest is about to give birth.
Photo: Mustard creator Eve O'Connor. (Pic: RTE)
