Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) are proud of their long-established links with the Film and Television Industry. Each semester, students on the BA (Hons) in Film & Television Production are exposed to a wealth of industry expertise as part of the delivery of modules across the course.
As DkIT fourth-year students prepare to enter industry, this year they were treated to masterclasses from filmmakers and experts across all genres and platforms as part of their 'The Contemporary Irish Screen Landscape' module, co-ordinated by lecturer Sarah McCann. These masterclasses were delivered across the Jan-May 2024 semester and began with Neasa NiChianain, an award-winning documentary filmmaker who is best known for her 2022 film Young Plato, which has been critically acclaimed and nominated for some of the most prestigious awards in the film industry, including the International Documentary Association awards and the British Independent Film Awards.
Director Ian Hunt-Duffy, whose debut feature film Double Blind was released this year and received 11 IFTA nominations, also received a nomination for the Screen Ireland Rising Star award, Ian delivered a masterclass to the 4th year students, as did Grainne Humphreys, Director of the Dublin International Film Festival.
Completing the line-up for ‘The Contemporary Irish Screen Landscape' module this semester was esteemed Film & TV Producer Suzanne McAuley, who has worked in the film and TV industry for 30 years and has Exec Produced/Series Produced over 140 hours of high-end TV drama including Moonflower Murders – PBS/BBC, The Doll Factory – Paramount+, Magpie Murders -PBS/BBC, ITV’s Maigret, and all five seasons of the multi award-winning Love/Hate for RTE.
Speaking after her masterclass, Suzanne said: “I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to Dundalk Institute of Technology, where I gave a masterclass on the Contemporary Irish Screen Landscape, in April 2024. I was thrilled to hear from the next generation of filmmakers as well as to provide advice and feedback on their work and future film and TV careers. The range of talent showcased that day was impressive and I have no doubt that they will go on to make significant contributions to the Irish film and TV industry.”
On their Freelancing for Film & TV module, 4th year Film & TV students again were exposed to a wealth of talent, all co-ordinated by their lecturer for that module, Colm Mullen. These guests included:
Sinéad Murphy, Dundalk writer and television director with over twenty years working in the film and TV industry both at home and internationally, who has worked with some of the biggest production companies in Ireland including Tyrone Productions, Animo, Kite Entertainment and New Decade.
Baz Black, an award-winning Actor/Writer/Director from Ireland best known for playing Ged Delaney in Season 1 & 2 of IFTA-winning show 'KIN' and as Writer/Director of the smash hit feature film 'Dublin Crust' which he wrote, directed and also starred in. It was also in consideration for 5 IFTA Awards.
Luke Hanlon, a writer/director/producer whose debut feature film, The Troubles a Dublin Story, premiered at Galway Film Fleadh where he was shortlisted for the Bingham Ray New Talent Award for his writing and directing. The film was also invited to screen for its US Premiere at the prestigious Newport Beach Film Festival and has now sold in every major territory worldwide.
Third year Film & TV students were also treated to masterclasses this year in their Creative Documentary and Production Management classes, again co-ordinated by lecturer, Sarah McCann. These were delivered by Frankie Fenton, an award-winning documentary filmmaker, whose critically acclaimed debut feature documentary ‘It’s Not Yet Dark’, narrated by Colin Farrell, premiered in the World Cinema competition at Sundance Film Festival 2017. Frankie was joined by Producer/Production Manager Liam Ryan, who has worked on Harry Wild, Dublin Oldschool and Arracht, amongst many others.
3rd year Film & TV students also engage every year with Alan Fitzpatrick, Producer, along with David Collins of Samson Films, while 4th year students pitch their ideas annually to Philip McGovern of Big Mountain Productions.
The Department of Creative Arts, Media and Music also runs an annual masterclass series for all students across the varying programmes, and this year's series saw a guest lecture from Robert Higgins of Harp Media, who spoke about his debut feature Lakelands, amongst other industry experts.
Sarah McCann, lecturer DkIT Said “Access to industry professionals has always been a core feature of the BA (Hons) in Film & Television Production since its inception and is of the utmost importance to our students as they prepare to enter the industry. We are already looking forward to welcoming more industry experts in the next academic year!”
