Leon Oldstrong founded Solaris2 Media to create the films and TV programmes he wanted to see growing up. A self-taught, passionately humane writer and film maker, Leon is committed to telling authentic, unapologetic, stories about underrepresented groups. As versatile as he is creative, he writes across genres and his poetic imagination and unique voice have won him many awards. His current project in development is a dramedy series, set against a London dreamscape, executive produced by Cush Jumbo.
Category: – Directors
Jimmy Smallhorne
Jimmy Smallhorne is a writer, director and actor, particularly renowned for THE MIRACLE CLUB, 2BY4, LOVE/HATE, TAKEN DOWN, CARDBOARD GANGSTERS, DARKLANDS, and DEAD STILL. In addition to this he was the co-founder of the legendary Bronx Irish Theatre Company.
Thomas Ryan
An accomplished, innovative and collaborate director, best known for his critically acclaimed feature films TWICE SHY and TRAMPOLINE, as well as his award-winning short comedy POGNOPHOBIA.
Thomas recently became one of the first filmmakers in Ireland to work with virtual stage production, the same technology used on ‘The Mandalorian’.
With years of industry experience, Thomas has directed TV and commercial content alongside his feature projects. He has also directed animated content for both broadcast TV and commercials and has written and directed an Irish language educational series for the BBC.
In addition to his creative work, Thomas has worked with a variety of corporate clients, including The White House, Speedo, Amazon, Canterbury, Unreal, Adobe, DK, Scholastic, and NASA.
With a unique perspective on the filmmaking process and a proven track record of success, Thomas is sure to continue making waves in the industry for years to come.
Kevin Walls
Kevin’s first short film, IDENTICAL, won a British Academy Scotland New Talent Award in 2015. He is a graduate of the MATV Fiction Writing programme at Glasgow Caledonian University with a scholarship from Warner Bros. Creative Talent. Kevin was also a part of the inaugural BBC Writersroom Scottish Voices Group.
His short film WHEN ABBIE MET EMMY premiered at BFI Flare in 2019 and DOUBLE WORD SCORE was selected as part of the DepicT! 2020 programme at the Encounters Film Festival. Kevin is currently writing for the BBC Scotland continuing drama, RIVER CITY.
Recent credits: THE CONSCIOUS CLOSET – BBC Scotland; EAT THE TOWN – BBC Scotland; WHEN ABBIE MET EMMY – Sonorous Films; IDENTICAL – Sonorous Films; WHEN PISH COMES TO SHOVE – BBC Writersroom.
Sinead O’Loughlin
2022: LAMB – Screen Ireland Focus Short; Winner of the Audience Award for Best Short Film at the Cork International Film Festival 2022; Official Selection at Tribeca Film Festival 2022; Nominated for 2023 IFTA Award for Best Short Film; 2016: HOMECOMING – Winner of Best Narrative Short Film at Kerry International Film Festival 2016. 2023: VOCATION – Feature Film Screenplay in development with Screen Ireland and Coper Alley Productions.
Maureen O’Connell
A graduate of RADA, with a BA in Acting and a Film Production Diploma from Ballyfermot College, Maureen (Mo) O’Connell has made several award-winning shorts and an award-winning, micro-budget, slacker comedy feature film, SPA WEEKEND.
Some credits include – 2022: HAVEN (multi-award-winning) Semi-Finalist Flickers Rhode Island Intl Film Fest 2023 and Best Short Film B3 Biennale 2023 – 2022: BRUISE (multi-award-winning) Official Selection Galway Film Fleadh 2022 and Best Arthouse Fastnet Film Festival 2023 – HUM (multi-award-winning) Winner of the Audience Award for Best Short Film at the Emerging Lens Film Festival 2021 – 2019: SPA WEEKEND (multi-award-winning feature) Winner of Best International Feature at Polish International Film Festival 2020 and Winner of SHE IS ON FIRE Award Berlin Female Filmmakers Film Fest 2019.
Sam Atwell
Sam has produced the six-part drama NORTHERN LIGHTS for Lionsgate and Deadpan and was then Head of Development for Deadpan. Prior to this he was the Drama Development Executive for RTÉ where he worked on HIDDEN ASSETS, SMOTHER and NORTH SEA CONNECTION as well as their development and production slate. He Executive Produced the three storyland titles, MUSTARD, EVERY FIVE MILES and BALOR HALL and the short films, PICTURE DAY, FOREVER HOLD YOUR PEACE and THE WALL. Has been the inhouse story-editor for animation company, JAM Media and Script Producer for RTÉ’s, FAIR CITY where he directed multiple blocks. He has written, directed and script edited for ATN Seven’s HOME AND AWAY in Sydney and currently has multiple shows in development.
Conor McMahon
2022: NO WORRIES IF NOT – TV sketch series for RTE Television; 2021: LET THE WRONG ONE IN – Comedy Horror – Feature Film written and directed by Conor McMahon and starring Anthony Head funded by Screen Ireland; Winner of Jury Prize at Screamfest. 2021: Nominated for Best Director and Best Screenplay at the Irish Film and Television Academy Awards 2023. 2014: FROM THE DARK – Horror Feature Film written by Damian Fox and Conor McMahon, directed by Conor McMahon and Starring Niamh Algar; premiered at Fantastic Fest 2014. 2012: STITCHES – Comedy Horror – Feature Film written by David O’Brien and Conor McMahon, directed by Conor McMahon and starring Ross Noble; Winner of the Carmel Jove Jury Award at Sitges 2012. 2009: THE DISTURBED – Horror Feature Film written and directed by Conor McMahon and starring Carla McGlynn; premiered at Galway Film Fleadh 2009. 2004: DEAD MEAT – Comedy Horror Feature Film written and directed by Conor McMahon and starring Marian Araujo.
Michael Kinirons
Award-winning Irish screenwriter and director. He studied English and Philosophy at Trinity College Dublin and went on to study directing at the prestigious National Film and Television School, (NFTS) London. He has had projects selected for the Torino Film Lab, the Britlist, eQuinoxe, EAVE and is a Berlinale Talent Campus alumni. Michael’s first produced feature as screenwriter, STRANGERLAND, an Australian set mystery drama starring Nicole Kidman, Hugo Weaving and Joe Fiennes, had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, 2015. THE SPARROW, Michael’s feature film debut as writer/director, premiered at the Galway Film Fleadh 2022 where it won Best First Irish Feature. Subsequently, it won the meeting point audience award at Valladolid Film Festival and has been nominated for two Irish Film and Television Awards.
Ben Conway
2023: In development SOMEWHERE IN NORWAY – Take Ten Productions. 2022: ONE WAY – Feature Film directed by Andrew Baird and starring Kevin Bacon and Travis Fimmel. International Sales by Highland Film Group. 2021: NIGHTRIDE – Feature Film directed by Stephen Fingleton and starring Moe Dunford. Winner of Best Actor Award (Moe Dunford) at Irish Film and Television Awards 2022); 2022: SIMON – Short Film written and directed by Ben Conway and Peter J McCarthy and starring Aaron Monaghan – premiered at Galway Film Fleadh 2022 – won Best Drama and Best Irish Film at Fastnet Film Festival 2023; ; 2021: BUGALOO – Short Film written and directed by Ben Conway and Peter J MCarthy and starring Moe Dunford; premiered at Galway Film Fleadh 2021.
Marnie Baxter
Marnie Baxter is an actress and director with 25 years’ experience working in TV, Film and Theatre. Marnie’s latest short film, HELLO, MUSCLES, is currently on the festival circuit, so far winning BEST WOMEN’S SHORT and an HONORABLE MENTION for BEST LIVE ACTION SHORT (OSCAR QUALIFYING) at CLEVELAND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL, BEST UK SHORT at MANCHESTER FILM FESTIVAL, JURY AWARD FOR BEST SHORT and the AUDIENCE AWARD at HEBDEN BRIDGE FILM FESTIVAL. It also won the SOCIAL IMPACT AWARD at SOHO LIFF, and BEST ACTRESS at ST ANDREW’S FILM FESTIVAL.
Marnie’s first short film as a director, BAD MOTHER, played in over thirty festivals worldwide, winning several awards, and was described by Mark Kermode as ‘an excellently unsettling directorial debut’. Following the success of the film, Marnie was offered to direct a second short for Mini Productions, DO THIS FOR ME, which premiered in 2022 at BFI Flare and is currently being developed into a TV series for eOne.
As an actress, Marnie’s television credits include Karen Pirie, Annika, Coronation Street, Shetland, Casualty, Doctors, Unpacking. Film credits include On Air, The Last Bus, Marionette, The Tormented.
Mark O’Connor
Mark O’ Connor is an Irish writer/director. 2009/10: His debut feature film BETWEEN THE CANALS was released theatrically throughout Ireland and the UK. 2011/13: feature film KING OF THE TRAVELLERS was released in 150 territories worldwide on VOD. 2013: STALKER feature film featuring the first lead role of acclaimed actor Barry Keoghan; 2016: IFTA award-winning CARDBOARD GANGSTERS, which won 8 awards on the international festival circuit before worldwide rights to the film were sold to Netflix. 2023: Mark wrote and directed the six-part IFTA-nominated crime drama DARKLANDS for Virgin Media. 2020 to now: CELTS Creator/Writer/Director TV show currently in development with support from EU, Creative Media and Screen Ireland and produced by Samson Films. 2022 to 2023: OUI CANNES Writer/Director – currently filming. 2023: THE DUBLINERS Creator/Writer/Director – Five-part television show in early-stage development.
Éadaoin Fox
Eadaoin Fox is a female director from Cork who is interested in how theatre can present multiple perspectives of one historical event. She has been awarded the 2021 ALISON HODGE DIRECTING PRIZE FOR EXCELLENCE IN THEATRE MAKINGas well as BEST DIRECTOR for DISCO PIGS (Granary Theatre) at the National Irish Student Drama Awards (ISDA’s) 2019 alongside several others. In 2022, she shadowed Margaret Perry’s PARADISE NOW at The Bush Theatre, London. FILM SHORTS: SMELL PVC (Writer & Director), produced by Mank Productions and selected for the Lift Off Global Film Festival 2022 & the Berlin Indie Film Festival 2022. ELECTRA Adaptation (Writer & Director) The Kinko Theatre. Commissioned, produced & funded by The Half Moon Festival, Cork Opera House. PIT (Director) produced & funded by Mank Productions selected for the 21 Islands International Film Festival. STRAIN (Director) produced by Loom Theatre Company and funded by the Cork County Council and The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gealteacht, Sport and Media. A GIRL IS A HALF FORMED THING by Eimear McBride, Adaptation (Writer & Director) The Caryl Churchill Theatre. EARWIG (Director) The Roundy, Mank Productions. THE CHILDREN’S HOUR (Director) Granary Theatre, Mank Productions.
Drew Taylor-Wilson
Drew Taylor-Wilson [they/them] is a neurodivergent, queer creative working in TV, Film and Theatre. They are an award-winning theatre director, playwright, facilitator and theatre artist development specialist, trained at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. They have recently completed a Masters in TV Fiction Writing from Glasgow Caledonian University – after receiving the David McLellan full scholarship for the programme.
“A glittering colossus” [Metro] Drew writes to advocate for seldom heard voices, creating bold contemporary queer stories that de-stigmatise mental health difficulties. Their plays have been seen across the UK, they are a former performance poet and frequently bend genre and form in both screen and stage writing. Drew makes socio-political performance with participants at all levels of experience [or none]. Their practice asks an audience to question their societal norms, engaging with low-brow glitz, crafted with sophisticated dramaturgy. Their work is blackly comedic, athletically delivered and beats with a poetic heart. Drew is the former Artistic Director of Performance Collective Stranraer, co-director of Sanctuary Queer Arts, and works freelance as a Writer, Director and Dramaturg, often with spoken word artists.
Drew has been commissioned by Take Me Somewhere [Glasgow], Brighton International Festival, Commonwealth Games 2014 Cultural Festival, and most recently by Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival https://www.mhfestival.com/projects/gather/856-drew-taylor-wilson-gather
Their first TV script QUAIR PEOPLE is currently optioned by LA based Stampede Ventures.
Maurice Sweeney
Award winning director as comfortable producing full scale drama as he is creating intelligent and innovative documentary. He has a number of large-scale credits in which he has a developed a proven ear for story and emotion. Over his twenty year career, Maurice has worked on numerous international co -productions, and has credits with HISTORY US, BBC, Channel 4, ZDF, ARTE, FIVE and RTE. Maurice has won 5 Irish Film and Television Awards (IFTAs) and was awarded Best Director at the London Independent Film Festival 2013.
Most recent work includes in 2022: CONFIDENTIAL for the Irish Government. 2020: Directed the three -part drama PENANCE for Channel 5/Westroad Pictures which was one of the channel’s highest viewed dramas of 2020; SAVING THE TITANIC for Tile Films; COLD CASE COLLINS for Big Fellow Productions; Lead Director on BLOOD – Season 1 & 2 for Channel 5/Westroad Pictures which made Empire Magazine’s best TV of 2020 list. 2018: Directed and co-wrote the critically acclaimed and award winning Feature Documentary I DOLOURS for Screen Ireland/New Decade Films – released in cinemas and then acquired by Netflix.
Dave Tynan
Dave is an award-winning director/writer who has directed over a dozen short films and one feature film, DUBLIN OLDSCHOOL. His feature premiered at the BFI London Film Festival in 2018 and enjoyed nationwide cinema distribution. Notable shorts include JUST SAYING, ROCKMOUNT, THE CHERISHING, WE FACE THIS LAND, HEARTBREAK and A CONCRETE SONG. Many of these have received critical acclaim – including two IFTAs and two selections for The Nuits En Or tour, The Best Worldwide Short Films as chosen by L’Académie des Arts et Techniques du Cinéma – as well as viral success, with total views in the millions.
Will Jewell
Award-winning screenwriter and director, Will has a large range of experience in creating unique and acclaimed work. His breadth encompasses feature thrillers, a music documentary, children’s web series, short films and serial dramas.
Will’s short film MAN IN FEAR was BAFTA longlisted, his scripted web drama BOW STREET RUNNER (Channel 4) won a Children’s BAFTA and he was selected for the BFI’s Think Shoot Distribute scheme. Will’s most recent feature CONCRETE PLANS starred Kevin Guthrie, Steve Speirs, Amber Rose Revah and Goran Bogdan and was released in the US in March and in the UK in November 2020.
Siobhán McMahon
Siobhán is a Director as well as guest Lecturer in Writing and Directing in LIT, Department of Animation and Motion Design.
2018: TAKING STOCK – Short film winner at Carlow International and Newport Beach Film Festival; 2015: THE SECRET DIARY OF FRANCIS NOONE – shortlisted for Best Director for the Galway Film Centre/RTE Short Film Award; 2013: A PLACE AT MY TABLE – shortlisted for Best Director for the Galway Film Centre/RTE Short Film Award, 2011: THE CONSOLATION OF ORION – short film which won the Filmbase/RTE Short Film Award Scheme.
Janna Kemperman
Janna Kemperman is an award winning filmmaker with 10 years experience working in Film & TV in Ireland, UK & Germany. She has 4 short films under her belt. Her latest Screen Ireland supported short film, SHADOW, premiered at the Galway Film Fleadh. It won the Special Mention Award at the Dublin Film Festival 2023 and Best Cinematography at FastNet Film Festival in 2023. It has gone on to screen nationally and internationally winning multiple awards.
Janna has a unique and multidisciplinary vision through having worked in film, photography, theatre and dance. This has allowed her to easily move through genres and styles. Using these techniques she works in Short Films, Music Videos, and promotional films for Ireland’s biggest music festivals Body & Soul and Electric Picnic. She is currently a multi-camera director on RTÉ’s longest-running TV series FAIR CITY and BBC’s EASTENDERS.
David Beton
David is a screen-writer/director with 8 feature-film credits and 17 TV credits. His latest movie, The Sky Original thriller, INTO THE DEEP was released globally in 2022. His Netflix mystery-thriller CONFESSION, starring Colm Meaney and Stephen Moyer, was released to a worldwide audience in January 2022 with a glowing review in The New York Times. His movie TOWER BLOCK (Sheridan Smith, Jack O’Connell) won the Grand Prize at the SITGES FILM FESTIVAL and THE HATTON GARDEN JOB (Matthew Goode, Larry Lamb, Phil Daniels, Jolie Richardson, Stephen Moyer) received a nomination at the NATIONAL FILM AWARDS. The latter sold every territory worldwide after VOLTAGE PICTURES screened it at BERLIN FILM FESTIVAL 2017.
David has written for both TV and film, working closely with producers in both – understanding the creative and practical side of the businesses. He has directed on both single and multi-camera productions.
Michael Yale
Credits include: 3 WOMEN – Trafalgar Studios; LATE COMPANY – Finborough Theatre, Trafalgar Studios; THIS LITTLE LIFE OF MINE – Park Theatre; HENRY IV PT1 – Rose Theatre, St James Theatre; THRICE NINTH KINGDOM – Soho Theatre, Omnibus Theatre, Tristan Bates Theatre; BABY MINE – Omnibus Theatre; BACK ON THE SCENE – Union Theatre; MONSIEUR D’EON – Union Theatre; THE DISAPPEARED – Theatre 503; MATERNITY – Riverside Studios; LA PARISIENNE – Rose Theatre; WICKED WILL – Battersea Arts Centre, UK Tour; MACBETH – UK Tour; HELL’S KITCHEN – Midlands Arts Centre.
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Shreepali Patel
Shreepali is a BAFTA and multi-award-winning transmedia director, writer and artist working across both broadcast and non-broadcast platforms – with experience in film, TV, radio, music videos, exhibitions, virtual reality and multi-screen video installations.
A former BBC producer/director she is also Professor of Film (University of Arts London) and presents internationally. Credits include: THE FRONTLINE (Producer/Director, AHRC); DRUNK? (Producer/Director, ERC); STORIES IN TRANSITION (Producer, AHRC); THE CROSSING (international multiscreen installation); CIRCUS – Producer/Director, Music Video for Daisy and the Dark; THE GOLDEN WINDOW – Director – International gallery and cinema screenings; DAWN (Director, BAFTA Short Film Winner); THE ENGLISH SURGEON – 2nd Unit Director Eyeline Films/BBC/ITVS EMMY Award Winner).
Olivia Lichtenstein
2022: MY OLD SCHOOL – Magnolia Pictures & Dogwoof, Partner at StoryVault TV. Film Credits include: TEDDY PENDERGRASS: IF YOU DON’T KNOW ME – Producer & Director BBC/Showtime; BRAGG: WIGTON TO WESTMINSTER – BBC; BROADMOOR – ITV; ME AND MY DOG – ITV; INSIDE GUINESS WORLD RECORDS – ITV; THE TWINS OF THE TWIN TOWERS – BBC1; PRINCE PHILIP AT 90 – NBC; INSIDE THE ROYAL WEDDING, Executive Producer, ITV; PRINCE WILLIAM’S AFRICA – SKY1 HD.
Laura Way
Laura Way is an award winning director who received acclaim for the EastEnders ‘Consent’ episode she directed, which was nominated for Best Single Episode at the British Soap Awards.
Currently: SERIAL KILLERS WIVES – Clapperboard/Black and Box/Paramount+. 2022: MAXINE – Clapperboard/Viacom. 2021/2020: THE HOLIDAY – All3 Media. 2019: BLOOD II – Company Pictures/West Road Pictures. 2018-19: EASTENDERS – BBC. 2016-17: RED ROCK – Company Pictures/Element Pictures. Theatre credits include: THE KILL GOD – Wexford National Opera House; ORANGE FLOWER WATER – Mill Theatre.
Tom Sullivan
Tom Sullivan is an award-winning writer and director who was born in Dublin and studied Earth Science at University College Galway. After graduating in 1995, he began acting and has worked consistently in film and television since then. In 2010, Tom began writing and directing short films. His first short, ASAL(2011), premiered at the 2011 Galway Film Festival where it won the Tiernan McBride Award for Best Short Drama. Tom has consistently created award-winning content since then, including his debut feature film ARRACHT (2019) which was nominated for 11 IFTAs (and won two), won The Critics Circle Award Virgin Dublin Film Festival, Audience award at Glasgow Int. Film Festival, Best Film at Kimolos Int. Film Festival and was chosen to represent Ireland in the Best International Feature Film category at the Academy awards 2021.
Dan Sherer
Dan is also a freelance director, writer, teacher and academic in both the United Kingdom and the United States. He specialises in directing new writing for the stage, teaching improvisatory directing and acting methods, and conducting anthropological research.
Previously, Dan was Associate Director (New Work and Talent Development) at the Mercury Theatre Colchester.
Stephen Lord
Work includes: RING RING – Genesis Pictures; NOTES ON FALLING LEAVES – Genesis Pictures; MY MA & ME – Genesis Pictures; CHECK OUT – Propulsion Pictures; THE BULLRING – 7 Storey Media/All3 Media; ORDAINED – Grand Pictures; BEYOND THE PALE – Blinder Pictures; HIT! – Original comedy series; THE WRONG’UNS – Vertigo Films & Emotion Pictures (Film in Development); DR HOO – webisode and mobisode Series Virgin Media/Leg Production; GETTING ON – Animated Pilot Slinky Pictures/Lord UK; UNTITLED – Short Film True Productions; SO – Short Film True Productions; IT”S NOT THE END OF THE WORLD – Comedy Documentary LEG Production.
Linda Ludwig & James Curle
Linda Ludwig & James Curle are an award-winning English/German writing and directing duo whose work has screened at OSCAR, BAFTA & BIFA qualifying festivals globally. As a neurodivergent directing duo, they are interested in stories about unique perspectives, about characters who don’t fit the convention.
Their Cannes-winning debut short MAN OF THE HOUR, starring Charlotte Ritchie, was reviewed as “among the best short films ever” by MovieViral. Their debut feature script MAN WITHOUT HEART, a drama about neurodiversity, was placed as Quarterfinalist in both the ScreenCraft Feature competition and the Raindance Script Competition 2021. Their latest film UNDER THE BLUE is now on the festival circuit and already BIFA-qualified and Winner of Best Director Drama Honourable Mention in the London Director Awards 2024.
Work includes: MAN OF THE HOUR – Short film (BEST SHORT FILM WINNER, Cannes, AmPav); UNDER THE BLUE – BIFA-qualified short film ( OFFICIAL SELECTION Brighton Rocks International Film Festival and Official Selection Romford Film Festival). In development: MAN WITHOUT HEART – neurodiversity drama feature (QUARTERFINALIST RAINDANCE & SCREENCRAFT); THE COUNT OF VALYNEIR – period drama feature inspired by MAN OF THE HOUR; THE MAN-EATERS OF TSAVO – historical biopic feature based on a true story; NEW FACE – six part television drama about the dark side of the UK modelling industry based on a true story; UNDER THE BLUE – anthology television drama based on true police stories; KINDRED – six part television drama about LGBTQ adoption in the UK.
Damian Cruden
Currently: Artistic Director – Alnwick Playhouse. Previously: Artistic Director – York Theatre Royal
Works include: THE RAILWAY CHILDREN – Kings Cross, Waterloo Station, Toronto; BRASSED OFF – National Tour; THE LEGEND OF KING ARTHUR – York Theatre Royal; iShandy – York Theatre Royal; THE GUINEA PIG CLUB – York Theatre Royal; TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD – York Theatre Royal National Tour.