Mayo filmmakers at California festival get surprise visit from Westport natives

A delegation from Mayo film production company Western Front Studios Westport spent a week in California at the Newport Beach Festival.

Two production from the Mayo filmmakers were shown at the week long festival:

On Saturday October 18, 'Night Driver' was screened. Written by director Michael Carolan, produced by Emer and Brian Durcan and cinematography by Brian Durcan.

About that film: Ngozi a taxi driver struggling to support her children in Dublin city begins extorting one of her passengers when she witnesses them being unfaithful in her taxi.

This short film was made under the Virgin Discovers Scheme and is available to view on the Virgin Media Player.

The second was 'Our Father' by Westport native Sheila Moylette, who wrote, directed and acted in the film. It was produced by Westport local Dorothy Whitticker and Emer Durcan and Brian Durcan was responsible for the Cinematography.

The film is set in 1960s rural Ireland. Fr. Daniel Maloney is called to the bedside of parishioner Catherine Mason, the wife of a prominent politician. She has just given birth. Whilst her husband has gone out to celebrate, Catherine confides a secret in Fr. Daniel and asks him for help.

The delegation representing Western Front Studios was met by a few expats from county Mayo who have settled down in Orange County, California.

Caroline Joyce and Niamh O'Brien joined them at the Newport Beach Festival.

"The story is that Caroline and myself are old friends", explains Emer Durcan: "My father and her father, Padraig Joyce and John Gannon, John Blondie Gannon, would have worked together. So when I got over to Orange County, or the week before I went to LA, Caroline made contact with me and said, Jesus, do you know what, I saw your films are being screened at this film festival in Newport Beach and we're going to go and see you."

So Caroline Joyce and a friend of hers, Niamh O'Brien, they came in to support the Mayo delegation.

"It was great to have some Westport people to support us on the day and it was great to catch up with old friends and the support was truly appreciated."

READ NEXT: Behind the scenes: At the set of Mayo based company filming RTÉ drama