Who We Love is an Irish coming-of-age drama film directed by Graham Cantwell and written by Cantwell and Katie McNeice. It is a feature-length adaptation of Cantwell's 2016 short film Lily. It premiered at the 2021 Galway Film Fleadh.

Who We Love
Directed byGraham Cantwell
Written by
  • Graham Cantwell
  • Katie McNeice
Based onLily
by Graham Cantwell
Produced by
  • Edwina Forkin
  • Alan Fitzpatrick
  • Graham Cantwell
Starring
Cinematography
  • Austin Ray
  • Westin Ray
Music byJoseph Conlan
Release date
  • 24 July 2021 (2021-07-24)
(Galway)
Running time
92 minutes[1]
CountryIreland
LanguageEnglish

Cast edit

Production edit

Graham Cantwell's 2016 short film Lily screened at film festivals and received IFTA accolades.[2] Cantwell returned to direct and write the feature version with Katie McNeice joining him as a writer. Cantwell also produced Who We Love alongside Edwina Forkin and Alan Fitzpatrick. The American duo the Ray Sisters did the cinematography for the film.[3]

Clara Harte, Dean Quinn, and Amy-Joyce Hastings reprised the leads from the short film. Paul Ronan, Aisling O'Neill, Lynette Callaghan also reprised their supporting roles. Venetia Bowe replaced Leah McNamara as Violet. Also cast were Amy Hughes, Danielle Galligan, Jimmy Smallhorne, and Alison McGirr.

Principal photography took place in and around Dublin, and experienced disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[4] Filming locations included the Donahies Community School, Dublin City Centre, the George, PantiBar, and Pennylane.[5]

Release edit

The film had its first screening on 24 July 2021 at the Galway Film Fleadh.[6]

Awards and nominations edit

Year Award Category Recipient(s) Result Ref
2021 Galway Film Fleadh New Talent Award Clara Harte Nominated [7]
Kerry Film Festival Best Fiction Feature Who We Love Won [8]
Rising Talent Award Katie McNeice Won
2022 Irish Film & Television Awards Best Film Who We Love Nominated [9]
Best Director Graham Cantwell Nominated
Best Script Graham Cantwell and Katie McNeice Nominated
Actress in a Supporting Role – Film Amy-Joyce Hastings Nominated
Actor in a Supporting Role – Film Dean Quinn Nominated
Original Music Joseph Conlan Nominated

References edit

  1. ^ "Galway Film Fleadh Online Ireland: Who We Love". Eventive. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
  2. ^ "Irish Short Film Review: Lily". Film Ireland. 16 January 2018. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
  3. ^ "Who We Love". Ray Sisters. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
  4. ^ Andrews, Kernan (20 July 2021). "Irish LGBT+ film gets world premiere at the Fleadh". Galway Advertiser. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
  5. ^ Murphy, Niall (19 July 2021). "Irish LGBTQ+ drama Who We Love to premiere at 33rd Galway Film Fleadh". Scannain. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
  6. ^ "Gabriel Byrne among star-studded line-up at this year's Galway Film Fleadh". RTÉ. 7 July 2021. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
  7. ^ "Galway Film Fleadh announces the nominees for the 2021 Bingham Ray New Talent Award". Galway Film Fleadh. 20 July 2021. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
  8. ^ "Kerry International Film Festival 2021 winners announced". Kerry Film Festival. 18 October 2021. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
  9. ^ Clarke, Donald. "Belfast and An Cailín Ciúin lead nominations for Irish film and television awards". The Irish Times.

External links edit