It’s been a really successful year for the graduates and students of SETU’s Postgraduate Diploma in Television and Media Production.
Their short films have been picking up awards around the country and will feature in the upcoming Fastnet Film Festival and audiences now have the chance to catch up on the most recent imaginative documentaries and dramas of these emerging filmmakers in TG4’s long running series Céad Seans | First Chance.
Watch film highlights here
On The Pulse
Seosamh Mac Seoin has just been awarded Best Live Action Short Film at the Cinemagic On The Pulse film festival in Belfast for Uilíoch. In his debut drama, a man reflects on his childhood and the trauma he experienced growing up. As we see glimpses of his younger self, we come to understand the events that shaped his life.
[f]Uaim
Belfast filmmaker Niamh Ní Ruadhagáin’s short lyrical drama [f]Uaim was inspired by her experience of the pandemic. “We can virtually all relate to the story about the silence of the world around us and how we dealt with the weight of isolation. But this story has a happy ending!” The drama won the coveted TG4 BLOC prize at the Student Media Awards.
First Frame
Lia Nic Craith’s stunning first film Ultra was featured in First Frame at this year’s Dublin International Film Festival. Tomás de Faoite of Gaeltacht na nDéise, a highly motivated and determined athlete, partakes in the challenging 268 mile Ultra marathon in the Pennines.
An t-Ancaire
In his moving documentary An t-Ancaire (The Anchor), An Rinn director Seanie Mc Craith focuses on the Marechal de Noailles ship which sank off the Waterford coast in 1912. Seventy four years later in 1986, divers set out to bring the ship’s anchor ashore. “Using archive footage, reconstruction and interview, I wanted to show the challenges of the journey,” says Seanie.
An Cnoc
Tullamore director Seán Hughes was inspired to make his poetic documentary after living under the magical spell of Cnoc Bhreánnáin in Corca Dhuibhne. Sean says: “In ‘An Cnoc’, I wanted to explore what effect Mount Brandon had on the minds and lives of those living in its shadow.” The film features broadcaster Dara Ó Cinnéide and the poet Ceaití Ní Bheildiúin.
Beothach Beo
In his energetic Beothach Beo (Alive and Kicking), Damian McElgunn from Belfast travels back to the 1970s Northern Irish punk scene. Celebrated musicians from Stiff Little Fingers and the Undertones reflect on how music changed their lives during the Troubles. Damian says: “There was an incredible energy at the time. The atmosphere was as important as the music.”
Big Griff – Lán Chúlaí
In his powerful documentary Big Griff – Lán Chúlaí, Nathan Griffin celebrates the life of his uncle Martin Griffin considered one of Donegal’s finest footballers. “I was inspired by the stories I heard about my uncle and wanted to explore who he was,” says Nathan. The film featured at the Galway and Kerry Film Festivals.
An Fear as Baile Mhac Cairbre
Radio broadcaster Nigel Kelly focuses on Micheal Ryan in his original documentary An Fear as Baile Mhac Cairbre. Ryan has overseen or been involved with 32 All-Ireland winning teams in his long coaching career. Nigel says that “Michael has a passion and energy of which the like has rarely been seen.”
About the Television & Media Production course
The postgraduate course in Television & Media Production is run every year by SETU with in association Nemeton TV, one of Ireland’s leading production companies, and Udarás na Gaeltachta. It is widely regarded as one of the most industry-focused courses in the media sector and has gained a high profile in the industry with its excellent graduate employment record.
Watch on TG4
Three of the films and documentaries can be watched on TG4 or online at TG4 Broadcast
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An Cnoc: 9 April, at 4.35pm
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An tAncaire: 10th April, 2.55pm
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[f]Uaim: 29th April, 9.20pm
The Fastnet Film Festival takes places from 24-28 May 2023.
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SETU Waterford, Cork Road, Waterford City, 
