CIFF2026 - Shorts Program 1
Friday, February 27 • 10:00 AM • T2 • Approx. runtime: 101 min.
COGAR
Clodagh returns to her rural Irish hometown to bury her stepfather. She seeks the truth about her real father, but as her mother’s silence deepens, the community whispers (Cogar) grow louder.
DIR/SCR Elaine Marie Kennedy; PROD Claire Cassidy. Ireland, 2025, color, 16 min. In Irish with English subtitles. NOT RATED
FARMERS!?
After an Irish farmer’s breakdown and death, his friends struggle to express grief. His ghost’s appearance at an estate auction finally releases their repressed emotions in unexpected ways.
DIR/SCR Freddie Leyden; SCR Clare Hoey; PROD Harri Kamalanathan, Jens Nielsen, Sophie Ede. Ireland, 2025, color, 15 min. In English. NOT RATED
BABAÍ BRAIN
A woman's quest for motherhood becomes an obsession after a failed IVF treatment.
DIR Nikolaj Feifer; SCR Bridin Ni Mhaoldomhnaigh; PROD Ciarán Charles. Ireland, 2025, color, 17 min. In Irish with English subtitles. NOT RATED
THE INVITATION
When neuro-diverse Alex is invited to his first party at the age of 18 by someone he doesn't know, his over-anxious parents go into overdrive to protect him. They’re convinced there must be an ulterior motive. Alex has been bullied throughout secondary school and has no happy memories or friends as a result of his time in the education system–but the party is his first chance to change all that. If he can convince his parents to let him go, to stay away and to leave him to it that is...
DIR Sinead O'Brien; SCR Niamh O'Connor; PROD Sharon Lawless. Ireland, 2025, color, 11 min. In English. NOT RATED
WE BEG TO DIFFER
In the underground world of diffing, a community finds solace in their passion as they navigate personal struggles and challenges both on and off the road.
DIR/SCR Ruairí Bradley; PROD Thomas Purdy, Ruairí Bradley; DOP Daniel Sedgwick; SCORE Reuben Harvey. Northern Ireland, 2025, color, 13 min. In English. NOT RATED
COME BACK
11 year-old Jenny idolizes her older sister and tags along with Lisa and her new friends on a day out. When she witnesses her sister being bullied, Jenny tries to help but events take a sinister turn.
DIR/SCR Helen O Reilly; PROD/SCORE Nathan Griffin; DOP Colm Hogan. Ireland, 2025, color, 15 min. In English. NOT RATED
CONVEYANCE
Between being constantly outbid on dilapidated houses, and deadline with an odd roommate penchant for being naked, house hunting has not been easy for young couple Brian and Suzanne. They can't believe their luck when they finally find their dream home–and at a price that’s almost too good to be true. After moving into their brand new, sea facing South Dublin apartment, they soon discover that this idyllic spot isn’t quite what it seems. As tensions escalate between the couple, and as their living situation becomes borderline dangerous, Suzanne and Brian must face an impossible dilemma. How much are they willing to put up with to keep their dream home?
DIR/SCR Gemma Creagh; PROD Maeve McGrath, Keith Bogue; DOP Jaro Waldek; SCORE Natasa Paulberg. Ireland, 2025, color, 15 min. In English. NOT RATED
