Darndale Arts and Human Rights Day – Film Screenings and Post-Show Artist Discussions with Filmmakers Kirsty Fogarty and John Connors
Darndale Arts and Human Rights Day – Film Screenings and Post-Show Artist Discussions with Filmmakers Kirsty Fogarty and John Connors
October 15 @ 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm IST
Join filmmakers Kirsty Fogarty and John Connors for a special screening of two powerful short films exploring human experience, dignity and human rights.
The films are Another Day, directed by Kirsty Fogarty and John Connors, and Innocent Boy, directed by John Connors. The screenings are followed by a discussion on the films and ways in which film and creative practice can promote awareness, empathy, equality and human rights. Kirsty Fogarty is an Irish film director and filmmaker, recognized for her work on short films and has recently expanded into feature-length projects. John Connors is a ground breaking Irish actor, writer, director and producer from the Irish Traveller community, who has blazed a trail for his community in the world of film, television, and theatre. Best known for his powerful performance as Patrick Ward in the acclaimed Irish crime drama Love/Hate, John won Best Actor at the 2018 Irish Film and Television Awards for his lead role in Cardboard Gangsters, cementing his place as one of Ireland’s most compelling screen talents. Presented by Smashing Times + Creative Places Darndale.
Book Your Place
Admission free, no booking required
Artists
Kirsty Fogarty, Film Director and Film Maker
John Connors, Actor, Writer, Director, Producer
Freda Manweiler, Producer, Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality, Producer and MC
Mary Moynihan, Producer, Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality
Full Event Details
Join filmmakers Kirsty Fogarty and John Connors for a special screening of two powerful short films exploring human experience, dignity and human rights. The films are Another Day, directed by Kirsty Fogerty and John Connors, and Innocent Boy, directed by John Connors. The screenings are followed by a post-show discussion exploring the themes and impact of the films, with a particular focus on how film and creative practice can promote awareness, empathy, equality and human rights.
The discussion is hosted and chaired by Freda Manweiler, Producer and MC, Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality, with Kirsty Fogerty and John Connors sharing insights into their creative processes, the stories behind the films and the role of cinema in encouraging audiences to reflect on human rights and social justice. This event is presented by Smashing Times and Creative Places Darndale for the Darndale Arts and Human Rights Day as part of the annual international Irish Arts and Human Rights festival presented by Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality, Front Line Defenders and a range of partners.
Another Day
Directed by Kirsty Fogarty and co-directed alongside Jimmy John Connors, this short film focuses on highly sensitive issues such as suicide and substance abuse within the Irish Traveller community. The project was funded by Creative Places Darndale and earned the creators a nomination at the Director Talents Awards in London.
Innocent Boy
Innocent Boy follows a young Traveller boy with hearing difficulties, raised by a single parent, as he struggles to find his place in a world that too often singles him out. When bullying at school intensifies, his quiet resilience is pushed to breaking point. Innocent Boy is directed by John Connors; produced by Tiernan Williams and written by Willzee Casey, Tiernan Williams and John Connors.
Credits for Innocent Boy
Directed by John Connors
Produced by Tiernan Williams
Written by Willzee Casey, Tiernan Williams and John Connors
Starring: Johnny Collins, Tomorrow Connors, Keyleigh McDonagh, Lewis Brophy, Christine Collins
Production: Cluster Fox Films in association with Virgin Media Television
Awards and Festival Recognition
Winner, Virgin Media Discoveries Best Script 2019
Special Mention, Virgin Media Dublin International Film Festival
Official Selection
The Richard Harris International Film Festival 2020
Official Selection Still Voices Short Film Festival 2020
Official Selection Wexford Film Festival 2020
Official Selection Disappear Here Film Festival 2020
Official Selection Carlow International Film Festival 2020
Official Selection Foyle Film Festival 2020
Official Selection Kerry International Film Festival 2020
This event is presented by Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality and Creative Places Darndale.
This event is presented by Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality and
Creative Places Darndale.
Creative Places Darndale is an arts award supported by the Arts Council. First awarded to the area of Darndale, Belcamp, Moatview, Clonshaugh and Priorswood in June 2021, the Arts Council’s Creative Places programme invests in places such as towns, villages, suburbs, and island communities that have had fewer opportunities to take part in the arts. The arts in Ireland can be defined by its various art forms i.e. Visual Art, Music, Dance, Literature, Film, Theatre, Opera, Traditional Arts, Architecture, Circus and Street Arts and Spectacle.
The purpose of Creative Places Darndale is to promote arts participation in the areas outlined above, support local creatives living in the area, and embed socially engaged arts practice into the community. Over the course of the years, Creative Places Darndale has been active building on the variety of art forms that are already present in the Dardale area; introducing the arts or different art forms where they are not present; increasing participation in the arts by the people who live in this area and leaving a legacy of participation in the arts.
Creative Places Darndale is run by Northside Partnership and Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality and is supported by the Arts Council and Dublin City Council Arts Office.
Artist Biographies:
Kirsty Fogarty is an up-and-coming Irish film director and filmmaker. She is recognized for her work on short films and has recently expanded into feature-length projects. Her notable achievements and projects include: A Place To Call Home (2026): She directed this short film written by Emma Farrell and produced by Frame It Productions. The film explores themes of child homelessness, belonging, and community against the backdrop of the County Kildare landscape. Another Day: Co-directed alongside Jimmy John Connors, this short film focused on highly sensitive issues such as suicide and substance abuse within the Irish Traveller community. The project was funded by Creative Places Darndale and earned them a nomination at the Director Talents Awards in London.
John Connors is a groundbreaking Irish actor, writer, director and producer from the Irish Traveller community, who has blazed a trail for his community in the world of film, television, and theatre. Best known for his powerful performance as Patrick Ward in the acclaimed Irish crime drama Love/Hate, John won Best Actor at the 2018 Irish Film and Television Awards for his lead role in Cardboard Gangsters, cementing his place as one of Ireland’s most compelling screen talents.
His recent screen credits include a featured role in Guy Ritchie’s Netflix series The Gentlemen, and he stars in the upcoming, critically acclaimed Re-Creation, directed by six-time Academy Award nominee Jim Sheridan and David Merriman. He also leads in Crazy Love, set for its world premiere in September, and appears in the highly anticipated new film by Werner Herzog, alongside Kate and Rooney Mara.
While acting remains at the core of his craft, John is also an award-winning filmmaker. His directorial debut came in 2016 with the documentary series John Connors: The Travellers, which won Best Documentary Series at the 2018 IFTAs. He later directed the short hybrid drama Eden, which premiered at the Galway Film Fleadh, and the award-winning Innocent Boy, which toured internationally and received recognition at VMDIFF 2020.
John’s feature documentary Endless Sunshine on a Cloudy Day won the Audience Award at the Virgin Media Dublin International Film Festival in 2020 and received critical acclaim, going on to win the prestigious Radharc Award for excellence in documentary filmmaking. His narrative feature debut The Black Guelph won Best Film and Best Actor at the Oldenburg International Film Festival in 2022.
A published playwright and outspoken human rights activist, John has consistently used his voice and platform to challenge stigma, fight for justice, and represent his community with integrity. He was named one of the 50 most incredible people shaping modern Ireland by the Irish Independent in 2017 and listed among the 22 young voices likely to influence Ireland and the world by The Irish Times in 2018. John Connors continues to work across film, theatre, and television-pushing boundaries and telling untold stories with heart, grit, and authenticity.
Organisations Involved / Partner Organisation(s):
