Glorious Generation Shorts at this year’s GENERATION Fleadh

By Edith Anderson

So many amazing short films were submitted to this year’s GENERATION Fleadh that it was a real challenge to decide what to include in the shorts programme. The Generation Shorts are always an exciting part of the festival as it is an opportunity to showcase the talent and vision of young filmmakers from across Ireland. This year’s programme features fifteen outstanding films that span a wide range of themes, each resonating deeply with the experiences of young people today.

Loss and Connection
First off, Do Not Stand by My Grave and Weep, directed by Clara Schmidt, is a moving portrayal of a young woman grieving the loss of her brother and learning to come to terms with her sorrow. Another poignant exploration of loss, It’s All Good by Saibh Malcolm, follows a young woman who, while reflecting on her grandfather’s life, decides to embark on her own journey to feel her own connection with him.

Health, Identity and Community
The touching animated film Wasting, directed by Laura Breslin, sensitively explores eating disorders and body image as we follow a young girl struggle with body image. Eilis O’Neill’s Lipstick is an animated film that follows three generations of women, each navigating their own personal struggles. The distinctive animation style enhances the storytelling, creating a rich and immersive atmosphere that draws the viewer into their world.

In Into the Silence, directed by Micheal Antonio Keane, tells the story of a young DJ in 1990s Ireland who, after a life-altering event, discovers his true passion, embarking on a journey of self-discovery and creativity. Exploring health and community, Lifelines by Alannah Harrison portrays a group of people living with epilepsy, showing how shared experiences bring them together and foster connection and support.

Psychological Drama
Daydreaming, directed by David McCall, is an interesting psychological film that follows a young man who struggles to determine if he is really awake or asleep. Assimilation, directed by Piotr Chodup and Iris Aghedo, tells the story of a young woman navigating a dystopian world in search of a lost friend. Its striking animation creates a powerful, immersive atmosphere that leaves a lasting impression.

Irish History
Irish history is explored through a variety of mediums from narrative storytelling to documentary and multimedia style. Elizabeth O’Shea’s Brother is a striking black-and-white narrative film depicting siblings torn apart by the Irish Civil War. Tales of Railways Past, directed by Daragh O’Shea, uses a multimedia documentary style to reflect on the history of Ireland’s railway heritage. Ali Ferris’ documentary Daybreak captures students’ journey to school in the morning offering different perspectives of how people get to school and their feelings towards this journey.

Laugh Out Loud
The programme features a strong selection of comedy and playful storytelling. Cold Feet, directed by Josefine Flindt, is a story about two wedding runaways that collide only to find that they are both escaping the same thing. Roan Murphy’s animated Worst Case Scenario offers a comedic tale about a priest in ancient Ireland. Silent Sweethearts, directed by Billie Anna O’Grady, is a humorous film in which young filmmakers draw inspiration from the silent films of the 1920s. Similarly, The Wicked Auditions, directed by Maia Harkin, is a funny short about a production where the production team must work hard to make sure everything is in place before it is too late.

Overall, this year’s Generation Shorts demonstrated the incredible creativity and innovation of Ireland’s next generation of filmmakers. Watching these films and participating in the programming process was a true joy. With such a wide variety of themes, styles, and storytelling approaches, it is clear that young filmmakers in Ireland are more imaginative and daring than ever. I can’t wait to see these shorts come alive on the big screen at the 2025 GENERATION Fleadh.

About the Writer:
Edith Anderson is a 17-year-old film and music lover from Galway attending Coláiste Éinde Secondary School. When she is not playing guitar with her band Silk Road, she enjoys watching classic films and attending the Galway Film Fleadh every summer. Her favourite films are Picnic at Hanging Rock and North by Northwest. She is a member of the 2025 GENERATION Council and was one of the programmers of GEN Shorts.