Festival Docs Podcast

Secret Mall ApartmentThe year is 2003. Eight Americans daringly challenge the newly built Providence Place shopping mall. In the documentary Secret Mall Apartment, produced by Jesse Eisenberg, a group of headstrong artists find a secret space in a bustling shopping mall. They decide to turn it into an apartment, and live there, undiscovered, for four years. What could possibly go wrong, right? Come find out…Jeremy Workman Jeremy Workman is an American documentary filmmaker and editor based in New York City, known for his intimate and character-driven portraits of artists, eccentrics, and outsiders. A graduate of Columbia University with a degree in English Literature, Workman has directed several acclaimed documentaries, including Magical Universe (2014), which explores the world of outsider artist Al Carbee; The World Before Your Feet (2018), following Matt Green’s mission to walk every street in New York City; and Lily Topples the World (2021), which won the Grand Jury Prize for Best Documentary at the SXSW Film Festival. In addition to his directing work, he serves as the Creative Director of Wheelhouse Creative, a boutique agency specializing in marketing and trailer editing for independent and documentary films. Workman is also an active lecturer and speaker on documentary storytelling and film editing.Instagram (@secretmallapartment) or our website (www.secretmallapartment.com)

 CUBA & ALASKATwo female medics in Ukraine's army, whose lives are captured via phone and body cam footage, navigate the chaos of war with bravery, humour and friendship.Codenamed Cuba and Alaska, two field medics serving on the frontlines of the Ukrainian conflict regard the absurdity of war with a combination of grit, humour and hope. Mostly comprising footage from phones and GoPro cameras attached to their helmets and chests, the film offers rare access to the medics’ daily lives, their reliance on each other a testament to the camaraderie required to survive in this world. But when one of them is injured and they are separated, the realisation of how despairing the conflict can become gradually sinks in. A raw and powerful film, Cuba & Alaska is an essential reminder of the importance of human connection, especially at a time when hope in the direst of circumstances feels increasingly elusive.Content Guidance: Film contains scenes of war, bereavement and death.To further support the film and its protagonists, please click here.Yegor Troyanovsky Yegor Troyanovsky is a Ukrainian director, screenwriter, and cinematographer. He has professional experience in the audiovisual sector, working in film production, television programs, advertising, and music videos on Ukrainian and American TV.Since 2019, Troyanovsky has worked for American public broadcaster PBS and its flagship nightly newscast, NewsHour.He is the author and director of his first short documentary films, Rear(participated in the VI Odessa International Film Festival) and Aerodrome. His first full-length documentary film, Demon, participated in the XI Odessa International Film Festival in 2020 and received the FIPRESCI award for Best Film.Troyanovsky is also one of the creators of the critically-acclaimed historical documentary series Collapse: How Ukrainians Destroyed the Evil Empire (2021), award-winning short movie Anna (2019, premiered at the 72nd Cannes Film Festival), In Search of Skovoroda (2022), a documentary that presents the key theses of world-renowned philosopher Hryhoriy Skovoroda, among others.CUBA & ALASKA

Born That Way A documentary film about care. And love. And Patrick Lydon.In a small wooden house in County Kilkenny, Ireland, Patrick Lydon’s life is ebbing away. Throughout his final year he reflects on an extraordinary life that took him from a budding career in rock journalism in America to trailblazing, with his wife, Gladys, the development in Ireland of the radically inclusive Camphill Movement, sharing life in community with people of diverse needs and abilities.At a time when it couldn’t be more needed, Patrick’s story and his unique lens on the world exemplify a meaningful life lived to the full, and ask searching questions about ideas of community and inclusion and shine a special light on the otherness of others in our society.Éamon LittleEamon Little is a screenwriter, film-maker and radio documentary maker.His latest film Born That Way, a documentary on the life and work of social pioneer, Patrick Lydon, launches at the Dublin International Film Festival in February 2025.His recent adaptation of John McGahern's final novel, That They May Face the Rising Sun (co-scripted with director Pat Collins), has played in film festivals all over the world since its release in 2023 and won Best Film at the 2024 IFTAs.His other feature film documentaries include Living Colour (2011), Red Mist (2007 - adapted from Conor O'Callaghan’s eponymous book), and he co-directed An Domhnach in Éireann (2005). Short documentary films include Camphill - The Essence from Within (2009), Nimble Spaces - An Introduction (2013) and Nimble Spaces - Inclusive Neighbourhoods (2016). He has written and directed three short fiction films: quickfix (1996), Nobody Home (2002) and Neighbourhood Watch (2010) and has a number of feature film screenplays and documentary films in development.For radio he has made the documentaries A Backwards Glance at the Ballroom of Romance (RTÉ, 2012), All Those Names for the Mystery of Love (Lyric Feature, 2014), My Mind Was a Stranger (Newstalk, 2016) and his latest documentary, If the Stick Dances, a journey into the life of a violin bow, Lyric Feature, 2016), Out of the River and the Fields (Newstalk, 2018), Abhainn Dú (MidWest Radio, 2020) and No Ordinary Joe (Newstalk, 2020) – all of which can be heard here LittleVision Radio Works.

David Keenan - Words on Canvas | Focla Ar ChanbhásFour years after the breakthrough success of his debut album Beginner’s Guide to Bravery, Dundalk songwriter, musician, and composer, David Keenan, is at a crossroads. After touring extensively and building a reputation as one of Ireland’s leading live performers, he returns to the studio to record new music. “Anger is easy to portray, it’s the hurt that’s hard”, he says, as we explore David’s wordsmithing over the course of 500 days.This is a portrait of one artist as a young man, which in turn is a portrait of every musical artist as they endeavour to stand out in a world of “algorithm and blues”, and remain authentically and powerfully true to themselves.Ceithre bliana i ndiaidh dó a chéad albam Beginner’s Guide to Bravery a eisiúint, tá an t-amhránaí, ceoltóir agus cumadóir ó Dhún Dealgan, David Keenan, ag crosbhóthar. Tar éis dó camchuairt fhairsing a dhéanamh agus cáil a bhaint amach mar dhuine de na taibheoirí beo is spéisiúla in Éirinn, filleann sé anois ar an stiúideo chun ceol nua a thaifeadadh. “Is furasta fearg a léiriú, is é an ghortú atá deacair”, a deir sé, agus muid ag scagadh cumadóireacht David thar thréimhse 500 lá.Portráid í seo d’ealaíontóir amháin agus é ina fhear óg, ach is portráid í seo de chuile ealaíontóir ceoil agus iad ar a ndícheall seasamh amach in aghaidh na halgartam, agus fanacht dílis dóibh féin agus dá ngairm ar bhealach cumhachtach.David Keenan David Keenan wrote the ode to his hometown of Dundalk on the Irish border “El Paso” at 14. Self educated and guided by his grandfather’s storytelling gift songwriting has always been a full time vocation. After a number of self released EPs his first album “A Beginner's Guide to Bravery" (2020) reached number 1 in the Irish indie Charts and was followed by the critically acclaimed second "WHAT THEN?" a year later. Other works include live album/concert film "Alchemy & Prose” and the d.i.y “CRUDE” records. With a reputation as a uniquely poetic singer-songwriter/storyteller and relentless live performer he has toured consistently from a young age across Ireland, the UK, Europe, North America and Australia with events including two headline nights in Dublin's Olympia theatre, the main stage of Electric Picnic, appearances at Lowlands, SXSW, Sydney Fest, Folk Alliance, Eurosonic, Glastonbury and Celtic Connections, residencies in Paris and New York's Irish Arts Centres & a recent headline show in Ireland’s National Concert Hall.Paddy Hayes Paddy Hayes is one of Ireland's leading drama and documentary filmmakers based in Galway, on the West Coast of Ireland. His editorial line is simple - he makes documentaries that are dramatic, and dramas that have something to say.With 25 years of experience in the entertainment industry, Paddy Hayes is a leading Irish drama producer currently executive producing the second season of Hulu's Obituary, starring Siobhán Cullen and Máiréad Tyers.He initiated and produced the show's successful first season in 2023. Hayes also produced the award-winning feature film Foscadh, which represented Ireland in the Best International Feature Film category at the 2022 Academy Awards.His past drama credits include the teen comedy EIPIC and the IFTA award-winning Corp & Anam, starring Maria Doyle Kennedy, a series that earned significant acclaim on VoD platforms in the US and Europe. Hayes is the author of the non-fiction book Breakout, published by O’Brien Press.

BlinkWhen three of their four children are diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, a rare and incurable disease that leads to severe visual impairment, the Pelletier family’s world changes forever. In the face of this life-altering news, Edith Lemay, Sébastien Pelletier and their children set out on a trip around the world to experience all its beauty while they still can. As they fill their memories with breathtaking destinations and once-in-a-lifetime encounters, the family’s love, resilience and unshakeable sense of wonder ensure that their uncertain future does not define their present.DANIEL ROHER DIRECTORDaniel Roher is a filmmaker from Toronto, Canada. His first film, “Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson and the Band,” was a music documentary executive produced by Martin Scorsese. His follow-up, “Navalny,” won Sundance’s 2022 Festival Favorite Award, the BAFTA Award for Best Documentary, as well as the Academy Award® for Best Documentary Feature. His latest project, “BLINK,” will premiere at the 2024 Telluride Film Festival and will be released by National Geographic Documentary Films in the late fall. In addition to his work in film, he is an accomplished visual artist whose work has been exhibited in galleries around the world. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife, son, and dog, Moose.EDMUND STENSON DIRECTOREdmund Stenson’s work as director, producer and editor spans both documentary and fiction and focuses on social issues, loners and nomads. He recently directed “BLINK,” a National Geographic feature about the Lemay-Pelletier family, who dropped everything and traveled the world after learning three of their four children were losing their vision. Before that, he was an associate editor on BAFTA- and Oscar®-winner “Navalny” (2022), a documentary-thriller about the Russian dissident’s poisoning.In 2018, he directed the award-winning “Finding Fukue,” the viral CBC success that has amassed over 14.5 million views online. He has also cut award-winning documentary features, shorts and television series in English, French and Japanese: most notably, Canadian Screen Award winner “Being Black in Toronto” (2020), “Ciao Plastique” (2020), “Ghosts of Our Forest” (2017), “Ma vie Made in Canada” (2017), “Sourtoe: The Story of the Sorry Cannibal” and “Retour aux sources” aka “The Roots Remain” (2015). Stenson is also somewhat obsessed with the Chilean filmmaker and magician Raúl Ruiz, as well as another kind of magician: Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy.

A Want in HerDebuting filmmaker Myrid Carten has been filming since she was a child, and when her mother goes missing, she picks up her camera again in response to this new crisis. Her mother Nuala, once a successful social worker, suffered a mental breakdown after the sudden death of her own mother. She shuffles between rehab clinics, psychiatric hospitals, and occasionally the street.Intimate, surprising, and often darkly funny conversations with her mother and other family members reveal the trials of loving someone who struggles with addiction and madness. Home videos from Myrid’s childhood and recordings of video installations from her current work as an artist form a playful blend of fictional and documentary elements, which compellingly capture the vicious cycle of care and rage.Atmospheric Irish ballads about vagrant drinkers and dreamlike images of the neglected family home conjure the cultural and relational roots at play. In fresh and inventive ways, the film returns to a familiar, universal question: how can we be with those we love without losing ourselves?Myrid Carten Myrid Carten is an Irish filmmaker who makes works for cinemas and galleries. She trained in Artists’ Film at Goldsmiths University Londonand Fine Art at Central Saint Martins, UAL. Her work interrogates both the struggle for intimacy and the ways we are compromised by our pasts. She received the Arts Council of Ireland’s Next Generation Artist Award 2018- 19. Her films have screened internationally and been supported by the BFI, Doc Society,Screen Ireland, NI Screen, New Dawn Fund and the Netherlands Film Fund. A Want in Her is her debut feature.Recent solo exhibitionsPreta Act 2, Mother’s Tank Station, London(2023)Preta (Hungry Ghost), Mother’s Tank Station,Dublin (2022)Recent group exhibitionsIn the Same Breath, Freelands Foundation, London (2023)Bones in the Attic, Hugh Lane Gallery (2022 A Different Horizon, Lismore Castle Arts,Waterford Ireland (2022)My Body is an Exhibition, Sadler’s Wells London (2021)Recent residenciesISCP NYC 2020-21Hospitalfield 2020-2021Artlink Dunree 2020British Council/ACNI International Artist residency, India 2017-18Recent awardsArts Council of Ireland’s Commission Award 2020-21DocsIE Pitch Award 2019TBG&S Project Studio Award 2018-19Fire Station Artists Studio Digital Media Award 2018Arts Council of Ireland’s Next Generation Artist Award 2018-19Her work is in the Arts Council of Ireland and Arts Council of Northern Ireland’s nationalcollections.