In this episode of the Film Ireland Podcast, we’re delighted to partner with the National Talent Academy of Film & TV Drama, an initiative of Screen Ireland/Fís Éireann, managed by Ardán.
In this panel discussion, Gemma Creagh chats with four talented filmmakers Sodiq Ajibola Abiola (4C), Louise Bruton (Let Go), Edelle Kenny (The Race) and Clare Monnelly (Babysitter). Their films were funded under the NTAs short film schemes, and are set to have their world premieres at the Dublin International Film Festival on 20th February.
With the NTAS First Credits Scheme deadline approaching on 6th March, applicants must attend the information sessions taking place on 25th February.
Listen now on SoundCloud, Apple, Spotify, Acast and Amazon, or subscribe to Film Ireland wherever you get your podcasts.
Sodiq Ajibola Abiola, 4C
Writer & Director
Nigerian born artist, writer and actor raised in Ireland. Writing horror, surreal and humorous based scripts to bring light to various unrepresented topics with a fun twist. Sodiq trained for screen acting at Bow St Academy in 2020, attending The Lir Academy for the 6 months Actors Ensemble program. With experience in editing, directing his first short Rock Rock Scissors as part of the KinoD Filmmaking weekend. Sodiq enjoys art that challenges the audience while allowing them to also have fun engaging with the art.
Louise Bruton, Let Go
Writer & Director
Louise Bruton, Writer & Director, Irish. Arts Journalist, DJ, writer and disability rights activist.
Edelle Kenny, The Race
Director
Edelle is writer/director/producer who has a wealth of varied experience over her past 15+ years in the industry. She spent 10 years in the United States where she built a career with notable networks such as Paramount, Discovery and Viacom directing and story producing some of USA's most successful docu-series and reality television. Her first short film Ossobuco credited her as “one to watch” tackling challenging feminist themes and ran a successful worldwide festival circuit. She returned home in 2022 and began working in the scripted format assisting award winning writers, directors and executive producers on films with Universal Pictures, Blumhouse and Amazon MGM studios. She has completed multiple shadowing experiences including Declan Lowney, Alicia Mac Donald and most recently directed a 2nd unit on RTÉ’s Hidden Assets following her NTA shadow placement there. She is currently mentored by Dearbhla Walsh for the year 2026 and has been awarded a spot on the sought after Spotlight programme by Screen Ireland where she is developing her Tv Series Slánú.
Clare Monnelly, Babysitter
Director
Clare is an actor and a writer. She has worked with Druid, the Gate, the Abbey and Decadent amongst others, and was nominated for an Irish Times Theatre Award for Best Actress in her self-penned Charlie’s a Clepto and Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Mary in Livin Dred’s production of Tom Murphy’s Bailegangaire. On screen she has worked with RTÉ, Sky One, Deadpan Pictures, Element and many more. She plays Anita Fallon in The Gone for Keeper Pictures. She leads the Cine4 feature Fréwaka for DoubleBand Films, Wildcard and TG4.
Clare’s first play Charlie’s a Clepto was nominated for two Irish Times Theatre Awards (Best New Play, Best Actress) and the Stewart Parker New Playwright Bursary. Her second play minefield premiered at the Dublin Fringe Festival 2019 and was nominated for three Fringe Awards (Best Design, Fishamble New Writing Award, First Fortnight Award). In 2023 she premiered three new plays - The Hare with Once Off Productions and Cairde Arts Festival, The Local with Asylum Productions and Kilkenny Arts Festival and SuperBogger with Livin’ Dred Theatre Company.
In 2022 she wrote her first short film, Departure, as part of Bow Street and Screen Ireland’s Actor as Creator scheme, which was produced by Take Ten productions and premiered at the Galway Film Fleadh. In 2023 she was mentored by Lauren Mackenzie as part of Screen Ireland’s mentorship scheme. Her second short, Cat & Mouse was produced as part of Screen Ireland’s Focus Shorts scheme, premiered at Galway Film Fleadh, is currently on the festival circuit and most recently screened at DIFF. Clare is a DIFF Discovery Award Winner 2025. She is a participant in Screen Ireland’s Perspectives scheme 2025 for which she is writing her debut feature Grace with support from Rye Films. Babysitter by Aisling O’Mara and produced as part of the NTA’s First Credit Scheme is her directing debut.
