Judges Announced For ENGINE Short Film Scheme

Judges Announced For ENGINE Short Film Scheme as Charlene Lydon, Gillian Cooper and Kate Leys

Charlene Lydon, Gillian Cooper and Kate Leys announced as judges for ENGINE Short Film Scheme

Engine Short Film Scheme, an ambitious Mid-West short film scheme for emerging talent in the region has announced the judging panel for the third edition of the award-winning initiative.

The team at Film in Limerick are delighted to announce a panel of distinguished film industry professionals who will be green lighting up to 6 short film projects. Producer and programmer Charlene Lydon, WildCard Distribution’s Head of Distribution, Gillian Cooper and renowned script and story editor Kate Leys.

Charlene Lydon is a film and television professional with over twenty years’ experience within the Irish and UK screen industry. She was Head of Programming for Light House in Dublin, Pálás in Galway and Volta VOD platform for over a decade and has since worked with Element Pictures as a Development Executive, developing projects with some of the world’s most talented screenwriters. She is co-founder and co-host of the long-running monthly Cinema Book Club and is currently Programmer and Producer of the Storyhouse Screenwriting Festival.

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Charlene Lydon commented: “Engine Shorts is a brilliant scheme, nurturing and supporting local talent throughout the process of bringing a film from script to screen and I’m so honoured to be invited to be part of the judging panel. I’m looking forward to discovering new local voices and meeting the talented teams behind the next wave of great Irish filmmaking .”

Gillian Cooper worked with film marketing start-up company, Usheru before joining Wildcard’s team in 2017, where she is now their Head of Distribution. She oversees Wildcard’s slate across Distribution and Production, including films such as Wolfwalkers, Double Blind and BAFTA-winning Kneecap, which Wildcard also co-Produced.

Gillian Cooper commented: “I’m so excited to be part of the judging panel for the Engine short film scheme and seeing the abundance of talent Limerick, Tipperary & Clare has to offer. Bring on the pitches!”

Script and story editor, Kate Leys is a former Head of Development at several leading companies including Film4, where she worked on iconic British films including Trainspotting, Four Weddings and a Funeral, Girl With a Pearl Earring, Dreamers, and Tornado, the latest feature film from director John Maclean (Slow west). She collaborates closely with emerging and established filmmakers and is also a passionate mentor and educator, regularly leading workshops and masterclasses at film schools and film bodies across the UK and at international film labs and festivals.

Kate Leys commented: “Engine Shorts is carefully designed not just to support and develop new film talent but also to bring filmmaking and crew skills training to Limerick, Clare and Tipperary. Being part of it at this early stage is to be in at the start of what promises to be an exciting journey for the filmmakers – who knows what great futures they have, or what amazing stories they have to bring us?”

Commenting on the panel announcement, Paul C. Ryan, Regional Film Manager, at Film in Limerick said:

“We’re incredibly grateful to have such a distinguished panel for the ENGINE Short Film Pitch. The selected teams have worked tirelessly to reach this stage, and we can’t wait to hear their ideas in July. This initiative is an essential platform for emerging filmmakers, and it wouldn’t be possible without the incredible support from our funders. We’re excited to announce up to 6 winning teams, each of whom will receive €12,500 to bring their short film projects to life in the region.”

The live pitch weekend will take place on the 19th and 20th July, and an announcement on the winners shared after.

Run by Innovate Limerick through Film in Limerick, Engine Shorts is a partnership between the Local Authorities in Tipperary, Limerick and Clare, and Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board. The scheme aims to inspire and support up-and-coming writers, directors, producers and local production companies to create inspiring, engaging world-class short films that resonate with a wide international audience.

Successful teams will begin production of their short films this summer and continue with training in areas such as casting, directing and producing. They will deliver their completed films later in the year ready for distribution to film festivals across Ireland and the world.