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Movers and Shapers

LOGLINE:
A short documentary about the ways a new wave of surfers and shapers on Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way are transforming their industry to make it more sustainable.

SYNOPSIS:
Surfers love the ocean: they love the wind and the waves. They love nature. And yet, most surfboards are a threat to the ecosystems around them. “Every piece of kit” the average surfer owns is petrol-based and “really, really toxic.” Now that all looks set to change in one small pocket of the west coast of Ireland. This short documentary meets the Irish surfers and shapers using everything from wine corks to wood as they try to find new and innovative ways to make their boards more sustainable.

  • Ciara Kelleher
    Director
  • Alanna MacNamee
    Director
  • Ciara Kelleher
    Producer
  • Alanna MacNamee
    Producer
  • Rob Gill
    Producer
  • Philippe Hetier
    Key Cast
  • Ollie O'Flaherty
    Key Cast
  • Michael Meleady
    Key Cast
  • Rob Gill
    Production Manager
  • Shane Joyce
    DOP
  • Joao Tudella
    Water Videography
  • David Martin Ryan
    Sound
  • Darragh O'Flanagan
    Editor
  • Jordan Cronin
    Assistant Camera
  • Eoghan Ryan
    Assistant Camera
  • Anthony White
    Audio Editor
  • Michael Meleady
    Music
  • Ian Berkery
    Colour Grade
  • Nora MacNamee
    Production Assitant
  • David Martin Ryan
    Stills Photography
  • Shane Joyce
    Stills Photography
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short
  • Runtime:
    10 minutes 1 second
  • Completion Date:
    April 5, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    1,000 EUR
  • Country of Origin:
    Ireland
  • Country of Filming:
    Ireland
  • Shooting Format:
    4k
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Ciara Kelleher, Alanna MacNamee

Ciara Kelleher is a director and actress from Limerick. Her directorial debut came in 2021 with the short horror film Family Man. Movers & Shapers is her second project and was shortlisted for Sheffield DocFest & Film in Limerick funding. She holds a second class honours degree in international Business from the University of Limerick and a Level 9 in Marketing Management. She has previously worked on First Dates Ireland (RTE), Fresh Film Festival (RTE) and with One Productions.

Alanna MacNamee is a journalist and researcher from Limerick City. Alanna holds a first class honours degree in English from Trinity College Dublin, as well as a first class honours MA in Media and Broadcast Production from Queen’s University Belfast. A regular contributor to the Business Post Magazine, Alanna has also been published in Evoke, Vice and Hot Press. She has written two audio dramas and directed a third for Baker Street Productions audio production company. Two of these were featured in the Watford Fringe Festival 2021.

In addition to her writing work, Alanna works as a researcher at Tyrone Productions, where recent credits include Jamie-Lee O’Donnell: The Real Derry (Channel 4), The Summer Show (RTÉ1) and Dr Eva’s Great Escape (RTÉ1). Movers & Shapers is her second short film project with Ciara Kelleher, with whom she previously worked on the short horror Family Man (2021).

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Director Statement

Nature gives us surfing, but by surfing we harm nature. The idea behind this short documentary was inspired by Michael Meleady, a backyard surfer who started making surfboards in lockdown; eventually turning to more sustainable materials after learning "you can make a surfboard out of anything".

The film features different kinds of surfboard shapers, from Michael Meleady, to Philippe Hetier; a master woodworker who is making innovative wooden boards deep in the Tipperary countryside who describes how "we have one of the most toxic products in the industry".

The style of the film is inspired by the visual storytelling of craftmanship, in particular RTE's series 'Hands'. The tactile nature of craft with the backdrop of the Irish countryside and coastal towns evokes the sense of Irish-ness and pays ode to the land that we are trying to protect.

The 10-minute film was shortlisted for the 2021 ENGINE Docs Funding scheme, run by Film in Limerick & Sheffield DocFest which enabled the co-directors to train with some of the world’s best documentary makers. The development of the project really pays tribute to how important these creative schemes and groups are in Limerick. From meeting in Limerick Youth Theatre to developing this project with the knowledge learned from the Engine scheme, the project is a direct result of nurturing local talent. When we first learned of the toxic nature of surfboard shaping, Alanna and I were keen to show how shaper's with any level of experience can make boards out of sustainable material. We are incredibly proud and feel that the documentary discusses just that.