In this episode, we delve into the haunting world of Ogham — a powerful and atmospheric short film set during the darkest days of the Irish Famine. Joining us are Alan Hopkins, writer and director of the film, and Husni Hafid, producer, as they discuss the creative journey behind this deeply emotional and visually striking story.

In this episode of the Underground Cinema Podcast, we chat with Harvey Harrison Doyle, the writer and director of Nepenthe, a beautifully haunting psychological drama set against the backdrop of the English countryside.The film has been nominated Best Horror Film at the 16th Underground Cinema Film Awards

In this episode, we talk with Rob McCarthy, the writer, director, and lead actor of Civil, joined by Gerry Cannon, who has been nominated for Best Supporting Actor at the 16th Underground Cinema Film Awards. Rob has also received a Rising Star nomination for his debut as a director.Civil is a story about resilience, injustice, and the quiet strength found in ordinary people facing extraordinary circumstances.

In this episode, we sit down with the creative team behind Coming Second, a sharp and heartfelt comedy nominated for Best Comedy at the 16th Underground Cinema Film Awards.Set in small-town Ireland, Coming Second tells the story of Abigail, a young woman from an ultra-religious family who receives shocking news she’s pregnant with the Second Coming of Christ. Torn between faith, family, and her own identity, Abigail’s journey unfolds with humour, warmth, and emotional depth.Joining us are director John Francis Brady, writer and cinematographer Lauren Corlett, production designer Cora Hogan, and cast members Michael Browne and Degnan Geraghty. Together, they share how this student film evolved into a fearless exploration of faith, family, and the search for self all through the lens of darkly funny Irish satire.

Aging rockers, fading dreams, and the beauty of letting go, the team behind Dreamtown joins us to talk truth, music, and redemption.”

In this episode, we speak with writer and producer Dan Burns, whose powerful short film Come Out, Wherever You Are has been nominated for Best International Short Film at the 16th Underground Cinema Film Awards.

The film tells the story of Vernon Parrish, a retired mayor seeking peace in rural Montana — until a mysterious global event turns solitude into survival. Described as “Yellowstone meets The Twilight Zone,” the film blends western drama with sci-fi intrigue, exploring our dependence on technology and the fragile nature of human connection.

In this episode, we chat with filmmaker Michael Antonio Keane, writer and director of Into the Silence — a powerful short film nominated for Best Student Film at the 16th Underground Cinema Film Awards.

Set against the backdrop of Ireland’s 1990s acid house rave movement, Into the Silence follows a young DJ navigating grief, trauma, and creative rebirth

In this episode we sit down with filmmaker Oisín Moroney to talk about his poignant and beautifully crafted short film Ribbit. The film tells the story of a family whose fragile peace is shattered by a move to a new home. As the young parents grapple with the pressures of change and uncertainty, their son becomes increasingly adrift and isolated — a quiet, heartbreaking exploration of family, disconnection, and the unspoken struggles that lie beneath the surface.

Oisín shares insight into the inspiration behind Ribbit, his approach to capturing emotional realism, and how the film’s visual and narrative style reflect the family’s unraveling dynamic.

Ribbit has been nominated Best Student Film at the 16th Underground Cinema Film Awards.

In this episode, we sit down with filmmaker Dean, writer, director, and production designer of the haunting period horror The House That Was Not, nominated for Best Production Design at the 16th Underground Cinema Film Awards.

Set on the desolate prairies of 1870s Kansas, the film follows an Irish immigrant and her American husband as they confront strange and unsettling forces in their isolated homestead. What begins as a ghost story becomes something deeper, a meditation on grief, trauma, and the lingering shadow of the Irish famine.

In this episode we talk with Deirdre Bolger, the talented production designer behind the haunting and visually striking film Ogham.

Set in a world devastated by catastrophe, Ogham follows Eoin, a bereaved father living in isolation on a mountainside after losing his family to the chaos that has consumed the land. When a failed hunt leaves him gravely injured, Eoin is forced to abandon the safety of his cave and confront the harsh, unforgiving world below — a journey that tests the limits of endurance, memory, and survival.

Deirdre shares how she helped bring this desolate and emotionally charged landscape to life through production design crafting environments that reflect both Eoin’s inner turmoil and the ruined world he inhabits.

Welcome to the Underground Cinema Podcast, where we shine a light on the incredible filmmakers and storytellers behind this year’s Underground Cinema Film Awards.

Joining us today is Luke Corcoran, the creative force behind Matriarch, to talk about his inspiration for the film, his approach to its complex female characters, and his journey as a writer and director. We’re also delighted to welcome Joan Fleetwood, who delivers a commanding performance as the Matriarch and has been nominated for Best Supporting Actress at the 16th Underground Cinema Film Awards.

In this episode, we sit down with Conor Slattery, the multi-award-winning director, DOP, and editor of Small Mercies, and Sinéad Monaghan, the film’s producer and lead actress, who has been nominated for Best Actress at the 16th Underground Cinema Film Awards.

Small Mercies is a raw and intimate two-hander that delves into the emotional wreckage left behind after tragedy fractures a once-loving relationship. Balancing anger, humor, and heartbreak, the film captures the painful yet deeply human aftermath of love lost with a quiet honesty that lingers long after the credits roll.

An interview with director Zoe Kavanagh whose film Demon Hunter: Time 2 Kill has been nominated for Best Horror Film and Best Editor at the 16th Underground Cinema Film Awards

An interview with Pádraig J Dunne whose film Dance with the Cranes has been nominated for four awards at the 16th Underground Cinema Film Awards. best Short Iris hFilm, Best Director, Best Screenplay and Best ensemble Cast.

An interview with director Thomas McQuillan whose film The Pursuit Of Forgiveness has been nominated for a Best Actress Award for Niamh Loiuse McGuigan

In this episode, we sit down with Arthur Lopes, director of Freya: Beyond The Mat, and Alberto Rocha, the film’s producer, to discuss their beautifully crafted documentary about one young athlete’s extraordinary journey through the world of competitive jiu-jitsu.

Freya: Beyond The Mat follows a ten-year-old girl whose quiet strength, relentless determination, and boundless family support carry her across continents in pursuit of her dream. What begins as a portrait of a promising young athlete grows into an intimate exploration of resilience, identity, family, and the sacrifices that shape who we become.

An interview with Mahée Merica who's film Ariane's Baby won Best Horror Film at the 15th Underground Cinema Film Awards

An interview with Zoe Carlin, who's film A Quare Racket was nominated Best Comedy at the 15th Underground Cinema Film Awards

An interview with Jonathan C. Creasy, producer and write of the short film Trouble which has been nominated in the Best Costume Category at the 15th Underground Cinema Awards

An interview with Ellen Costa who's film Jasmine has been nominated Best International Film at the 15th Underground Cinema Awards. Ellen has also been nominated Best Actress for her performance in the short film Haptic directed by Baz Black