Mayo made film to premiere at Galway Film Fleadh

Mayo made film, 'Remote Strutting' will be premiering at the Galway Film Fleadh, this Thursday, July 11.

Produced by Brian and Emer Durcan of Western Front Studios and filmed at the PortWest headquarters, both based in Westport, the film was the Ardán/ RTÉ Short Film Commission winner in 2023. 

Earlier this year, writer Ruaidhrí Hallinan, producers (Western Front Studios), director Lorna Fitzsimons, and an array of crew members shot the enchanting short film in Westport. 

‘Remote Strutting’ follows Mia, who, while facing a specific challenge, works remotely in software development and is all the time imagining the lively office she works in her mind’s eye. The story explores the importance of connection with consideration for difference. 

This is only Mr Hallinan’s second venture into writing for the screen, having gotten into script writing during lockdown. 

Working remotely himself in tech since pre-pandemic, the subject isn’t too far from home. 

He sat down to write a story about working remotely and the personas that people often sell online. The world took shape from scenarios he had experienced, and the challenge of impersonal interactions.  

_{The official poster for 'Remote Strutting'}

With the core idea already on paper, Mr Hallinan’s friend Eamonn encouraged him to pitch the idea at the 2023 Commission Info Day in Galway. He did, and pitching the idea inspired the writer to go home and write a third draft before making phone calls to producers. 

Through calls and recommendations, Brian Durcan came on board as director of photography, Mr Lorna Fitzsimons as director, and Emer Durcan as producer.   

It was very important to Ms Fitzsimons that the lead be a Deaf actor, so casting director Shauna Griffith threw the net wide to get the right person.

Lisa Kelly, a Belfast-born actress, plays the lead role of Mia, which was originally a male lead role. With a strict budget and tight timing, the large cast and crew on your hands came together. 

The team were very fortunate to be given the run of the PortWest offices in Westport, which allowed for a bright, open set which Caroline Hill brought to life. 

Working in an ISL (Irish Sign Language) environment was new for the whole team, so they did their work to prepare for set. 

From the start, Ms Fitzsimons and Ms Durcan met with members of the Irish Deaf Society in Dublin to get their input. They were lucky to find Ciara Flatley locally, who worked as interpreter for the crew, and even ended up playing the interpreter on screen. 

The team was delighted to be chosen to feature at the 36th Galway Film Fleadh, and many of the cast and crew will be there for the premiere of ‘Remote Strutting’. 

Book your tickets here to watch ‘Remote Strutting’ on Thursday, July 11, at 12 noon at the Town Hall Theatre.