In today’s Film Ireland podcast, we are delighted to partner with two wonderful film festivals. Last month at the Dinard British & Irish Film Festival, we caught up with acclaimed actor Bríd Brennan to talk about her extraordinary career on stage and screen, as well as her powerful performance as Cait in her latest film, Aontas.
We’ll also be reporting live next week from the Foyle Film Festival, running in Derry from the 19th to the 30th of November (where Aontas will also be screening).
Later in the episode (Timecode: 15:30), we hear from Vicki Rock and Kris Kelly, the husband-and-wife team behind the award-winning boutique creative studio Enter Yes. Their bold coming-of-age short Bulls in Water - directed and written by Kris and produced by Vicki - is about to make its premiere at Foyle.
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Aontas tells the story of three unlikely thieves, led by a woman on the verge of a breakdown, rob a rural Irish Credit Union. Opening in the tragic aftermath of the heist-gone-wrong, the story uses reverse chronology to unravel the events that led to this point. What starts as a poorly executed robbery becomes a portrait of a wilful woman trapped in her own past. Aontas is about the choices that change our path, the moments we get trapped in, and how we are prisoners of our memories.
Vicki Rock
Vicki is an IFTA award-winning Producer and Co-Director of Belfast-based animation and VFX studio Enter Yes Ltd. With extensive experience across film, television, and digital media, Vicki has produced a range of acclaimed projects including A Wind and the Shadow, Shattered, Wargame, and most recently Bulls in Water.
As a skilled VFX and Animation Producer, Vicki has worked on high-profile projects such as How to Get to Heaven from Belfast and Silverpoint, collaborating with leading international clients including BBC, Netflix, Channel 4, and Sony. Her experience spans both independent and large-scale productions, and she continues to play a key role in advancing Northern Ireland’s screen industry through her commitment to innovation, collaboration, and storytelling excellence.
Kris Kelly
Kris is a Belfast-based artist, director, and Managing Director of Enter Yes Ltd, an award-winning animation and VFX studio. His work blends live-action film, mixed-media animation, and visual effects to craft an emotionally rich and visually distinctive storytelling style.
Kris made his writing and directing debut with Here to Fall, which was nominated for a BAFTA in 2013. In 2024, his short film A Wind and the Shadow won an IFTA for Best Short Animation and was longlisted for both the Oscars and BAFTAs. His unique visual approach has featured in numerous BAFTA, Grierson, IFTA, and Emmy award-winning productions. As a director, Kris has collaborated with major institutions including the BFI, BBC, and HBO Europe, establishing himself as a leading creative force within Northern Ireland’s film and animation industry.
Bulls in Water
In the fading summer light, fourteen-year-old Chris is tested by his friends - a journey that reveals the gap between simplified notions of masculinity and the deeper emotions and diverse voices that shape identity.
Foyle Film Festival
Celebrating its 38th year in 2025, Foyle Film Festival takes place in venues across Derry~Londonderry each November to bring the best of international cinema and industry players to the city. Check out the full festival line-up now at foylefilmfestival.org and listen for a preview of some of the wonderful films being screened.
Dinard British and Irish Film Festival
The Dinard British and Irish Film Festival is an annual celebration of cinema that takes place in the coastal town of Dinard, Brittany. Now in its 36th year, the festival showcases the best of contemporary British and Irish filmmaking, highlighting emerging talent alongside established voices. Known for its warm hospitality and discerning audiences, Dinard provides a unique platform for filmmakers to connect with international industry figures and audiences in France.
