Recipient of Short Grass Film Commission Award 2024 films in Kildare

17^th September 2024: Early this summer Kildare County Council confirmed Rye Films as the recipient of the Short Grass Film Commission Award 2024. The annual award (€12,500) supports film production locally by commissioning an original film to be shot in County Kildare in 2024/25. Production of this short film took place on location in Kildare earlier this month.

Written and directed by Mary-Kate Quane and produced by Aisling Malone and Lorraine Higgins at Rye Films, ‘Heartsick’ is a break-up comedy-drama with a twist. When Jess sends a post breakup email detailing just how ‘fine’ she is, her comically curated facade begins to crumble, revealing a heartache she didn’t expect to confront.

Writer and director Mary-Kate Quane is a filmmaker from Maynooth. With a background in English literature, screenwriting and film, story is at the heart of everything Mary-Kate does. ‘Heartsick’ is her writing and directorial debut. Commenting on the award Mary-Kate said, “It’s such an honour to receive this award from Kildare County Council. To get to make my first film at home in Kildare is so special and I’m really grateful for the opportunity to bring this story to life.”

Producers Aisling Malone and Lorraine Higgins, at Rye Films commented “We are thrilled to work with Kildare County Council on this Short Grass Film production. The community engagement and participation has been incredible and so supportive. We can't wait to film in Leixlip and Maynooth this month.”

Aisling Malone and Lorraine Higgins are creative producers with Rye Films, a production company from Leixlip, Co. Kildare. Aisling has produced a range of award-winning short films and music videos and is a project manager with Raising Films Ireland - an organisation that seeks to shift the culture by creating a more diverse, inclusive and sustainable screen industry for carers & parents. Lorraine has a decade-long career within the Irish film and television industry including contributions as a crew member, a role in Inward Production at Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland and her current role as director of the National Film and Television Crew West at the Atlantic Academy. 

Following the announcement of Rye Films as the recipient of the Short Grass Film Commission Award 2024, Acting Arts Officer for Kildare County Council, Eláine Donnelly said “it is very exciting to announce the creative team of ‘Heartsick’ as the recipients of this year’s Short Grass Film Commission Award. Supporting this production presents an opportunity to resource some of the best emerging talent in the region and showcase a Kildare-based creative project and collaboration”.

To date, Kildare County Council has supported the making of over 50 films through the Short Grass Film Commission and Bursary Awards.  Through the Kildare Short Grass Film commissions and bursary awards, and other endeavours, we will continue to promote Kildare as a ‘Film Friendly County’ and to support filmmakers to realise their ambition.

Recipient of Short Grass Film Commission Award 2024 films in Kildare

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