A FERMANAGH mother-of-three is preparing for a major Hollywood outing as her animated short film ‘Wildkind’ heads to one of the world’s most prestigious film festivals.
The film, based on Ciara Tinney’s book, has been selected for the HollyShorts Film Festival in Los Angeles, where it will be screened at the TCL Chinese Theatre on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame.
The festival is regarded as an important stepping stone towards the Oscars, with winners in a number of categories eligible for Academy Award consideration.
Making moves
For Ciara, the journey is a remarkable one that began with a poem written for her daughters.
The former assistant director on Game of Thrones started writing ‘Wildkind’ following the birth of her eldest daughter, Adabelle.
She later developed the work into an illustrated book after the arrival of her younger daughters, Fiadh Ros and Birdie Blue.
The animated adaptation was directed by John McDaid of Derry-based Dog Ears animation studio and made its world premiere at the Galway Film Fleadh last year.
The film has since travelled to festivals in Ireland and internationally, building a growing audience along the way.
Its Hollywood appearance will see ‘Wildkind’ share the spotlight with work from major names including Spike Lee and Renée Zellweger, whose directorial debut is also screening at the festival.
Local support
Ciara said the recognition was a particularly exciting milestone for the small team behind the film.
“It’s one of the big ones,” Ciara told RTÉ.
The film’s gentle story centres on a mother’s hopes for her children, with kindness and a connection to the natural world at its heart.
Ciara believes that simple message has helped ‘Wildkind’ connect with audiences across different countries and cultures.
The film also features Ciara’s own voice, alongside those of her mother and daughters, while birdsong recorded in her garden adds another deeply personal touch.
The HollyShorts Film Festival runs until August 23, with ‘Wildkind’ now poised to bring a little piece of Fermanagh storytelling to the heart of Hollywood.
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