Shorts Exclusive: Dearbhla Walsh Moderates Chat with ‘Calf’ Cast and Creatives

Writer/director Jamie O’Rourke’s IFTA-winning film CALF is a gut-wrenching film from way out in the countryside, a place where the worst things are silenced. This gripping and thought-provoking film, produced for Virgin Media Television, has qualified to be considered for the 97th Academy® Awards after winning the qualifying award at the Huesca International Film Festival.

CALF touches on its central theme of domestic abuse in a sensitive and considered manner and is a poignant exploration of shock, grief and trauma that delivers much-deserved catharsis. It poses tough questions for the audience. But there are never easy answers when a family is in the grip of abuse.

Jamie O’Rourke is a Dublin-based writer and director. His first film, SCRAP, was nominated for an IFTA in 2022 and screened in competition at the 2023 Clermont-Ferrand International Film Festival. He is currently in development on his first feature.

CALF was produced for Virgin Media Discovers in association with Screen Ireland by Carbonated Comet in association with Sugarloaf Films.

Carbonated Comet, formed by Greg Burrowes and Ronan Cassidy in 2017, is an IFTA-winning and two-time Oscar-longlisted company based in the Midwest of Ireland. Their work has screened at festivals around the world and they are currently developing a number of feature films.

The film is brought to life by stirring performances from Isabelle Connolly (God’s Creatures) and Kate Nic Chonaonaigh (An Cailín Ciúin/The Quiet Girl). Isabelle Connolly is a rising star in Irish and international cinema and has been tipped to follow in the footsteps of Saoirse Ronan and Eve Hewson.

The remarkable cinematography was created by Colm Hogan. Along with Huesca International Film Festival CALF has been selected at Oscar-qualifying festivals around the world including Palm Springs, Melbourne, Busan, Brussels and many more.