A Very Merry Picturehouse Christmas Special (2025)

We had a record breaking crowd attend our third Christmas Special on the 17th December.

Every film screened was made specially for our beloved Christmas Challenge - filmmakers were asked to create a Christmas film of any genre, medium or style.

The result was a mixture of horror, drama, romance, comedy, music and animation.

Our wonderful guest judges, Baz Black and Emma Ray, gave awards for Best film, Best Script, Best Editing, Best Cinematography, and Best Performance.

Our committee jury, David McSweeney, Séan Leahy and Dylan Ryan selected our Spirit of the Season Award.

Then it was up to all those in attendance to choose the Audience Award.

Shane Kelleher organised our Charity Raffle, in aid of Cork Penny Dinners. This was sponsored by PC Maestro, Awesome Walls Cork, The Mardyke entertainment Complex, Sirius Arts Centre, The Bigger Picture, and the Firkin Crane.

Thanks to the generosity of the sponsors and participants, 500 euro was raised.

Thanks to those who joined us on the night, those who submitted their films for screening, and thank you to @thepav.ie as usual for hosting us!

Reaad on to discover what was screened and what picked up prizes on the night!

Congratulations to all of the fantastic filmmakers who screened their work on the night! 🎬

The Silent Night/ Robert Delaney

Cast & Crew

Writer and Director: Robert Delaney

Starring: Cheryl Thornton, Sophie O' Shaughnessy, Ethan Delaney

On a cold Christmas Eve, two friends get ready to go out - when a knock is heard at the door.

Rejected Gifts/Sheena Colgan

Cast and Crew

Writer/ Director: Sheena Colgan

Cast: Lea Talia, Reece Hawtrey, Marian Quirke, Sam Desmond, Zach Dromey, Chrissie Kelly

When an uptight aunt shuns some of her guests away to the basement on Christmas day, the rejected guests form an unbreakable bond.

Merry Xmas/Oisín Wedel, Malena Meyerhans

Cast & Crew

Director/Producer: Oisín wedel, Malena Meyerhans

Writers: Mariia Bezrukava, Colum McInerney, Malena Meyerhans

Editor: Harry Kennedy

Cast: Mariia Bezrukava, Liam Keville

A couple navigates Christmas throughout the years, exposing the cracks within their relationship.

Community Centre Santa Claus/ Sarah Kelly

Cast & Crew

Written and Directed by Sarah Kelly

Starring: Kevin O'Leary, Maura Walsh, Sarah Kelly

Cinematography: David Waldron

Sound: Rowan Kelly

Ryan and Claire are two very good friends who do the same thing every Christmas.

Tis the Season / Kuba Nowaczyk

Cast & Crew

Written and Directed by Kuba Nowaczyk

Starring Robert McCarthy, Olan Kelleher, Kuba Nowaczyk

A sad student gets saved using special narrator powers.

Radta/ Olan Kelleher

Cast & Crew

Director: Olan Kelleher

A company tries rebranding a new hip and modern Santa but end up facing a big issue when meeting the man they hired.

Gonksters/Kyra Owers

Cast & Crew

Director: Kyra Owers

Writers: Kyra Owers & Kian Twohig

Cast: Michaela Fogarty, Shane Kelleher, Robert McCarthy

Holly hates Christmas gnomes - one has to wonder why?

I Don't Know if I Actually Enjoy Christmas, To Be Perfectly Honest / Doreen Manning

Cast & Crew

Directed by Doreen Manning

Starring Michael Browne

A man finds that he can reignite his long-lost love of the festive season

The Weight of Wonder/ Tristan Wendland

Cast & Crew

Directed by Tristan Wendland

Through the hard labor of an elf in Santa's workshop, the film reveals the unseen sacrifices that sustain Christmas.

season's grEATings/ Davey Scannell-Goodison/Veronica Zagal

Cast & Crew

Directed by Davey Scannell Goodison and Veronica Zagal

A family of zombies gather to have a feast on Christmas Eve.

Santa's Coming /Jason O'Sullivan/David Brosnan

Cast & Crew

Written and Directed by David Brosnan and Jason O' Sullivan

Starring David Brosnan and Jason O' Sullivan

A down-on-his-luck man learns that if you believe, you'll receive a special gift this Christmas.

It's Beginning to Look Alot Like Jumbo Christmas /Adam Barry- Murphy

                                                                                                                                     

Cast & Crew

Written and Directed by Adam Barry Murphy

Starring Oscar O' Sullivan

As the fate of the North Pole hangs in the balance, Jumbo Sullivan must figure out what's going on with Santa and save Christmas.

A Nativity Scene/ Amy Bogue & Aaron Kearney o' Neill

                                                                                                                                     

Cast & Crew

Written and Directed by Amy Bogue and Aaron Kearney O' Neill

The Town of Nollaig tries to put on a show for the arrival of Santa Clause to secure funding for next year.

Christmassy/ David Murphy

                                       

                                                                                              

Cast & Crew

Directed by David Murphy

An investigation into the magic of Christmas.

10 Second Animation Challenge/ Filip Dippel        

                                                                                                                             

A compilation of 10 second animations themed around Christmas.

Sucker/ Aoife Williamson

                                                                                                           

Cast & Crew

Written and Directed by Amy Bogue and Aaron Kearney O' Neill

The Town of Nollaig tries to put on a show for the arrival of Santa Clause to secure funding for next year.

A very Merry Christmas and happy new year to all our wonderful Picturehouse friends and family.