Big Shots Limerick celebrate with another year of its seasonal filmmaking competition.
BIG SHOTS Limerick commemorate the horror season once more with its Halloween Screams filmmaking competition, taking place at 7.30pm, October 31 in the Belltable.
The competition will screen films made by 13 creative teams across Ireland, who have been writing, shooting and editing the projects across the month of October. Awards and cash prizes will be up for grabs, with each film adhering to a set theme.
Audiences attending the event “look forward to a wide mix of films,” said co-founder Shane Vaughan. “Even though they’re all horror, each year we get a great mix of action, adventure, comedy, even documentary! They’re all tinged with that spooky season fun, but it’s still a spectacular mix of ideas, styles and creativity.”
The filmmaking challenge comes from Big Shots co-founders Shane Vaughan and Conor Hooper, who first set up the event three years ago out of their shared love for horror.
“For our first Big Shots Halloween event, we put on a screening of films which was a great success, but we wanted to step it up a notch. We took inspiration from the ‘48 Hours Challenges’ that we had seen done before, and we put our own spin on it,” said Vaughan.
Though teams have complete creative freedom, “each year teams are asked to respond to a theme and are given a prop that they must include in the film. This year we also asked them to include a spooky sound.” These inclusions spotlight film techniques and effects of all kinds.
Vaughan said, “There’s a cash prize for best film, but there are also laurels for best use of the spooky sound, best use of prop, best use of theme, best acting and more! We try to shine a light on all the different areas of film.”
A judging panel 20 years in the making
The films will be judged by Galway Film Fleadh Festival Programmer, Charlene Lydon, who shares in the organisers’ love for all things terrifying. “I’m really looking forward to watching the finished films – they’re sure to get me in the Halloween spirit!” she said.
Lydon has worked in film for over 20 years, working as Head of Programming for Light House Cinema Dublin and Pálás Cinema Galway, co-founder of Cinema Book Club, alongside various production, development and editorial credits.
She recalled being asked to join the competition, saying, “I was delighted when Shane approached me to be a judge for the event. I’m a huge horror fan and I’d worked with Shane previously and I know what a passionate advocate he is for filmmaking in Limerick, so Big Shots is in good hands!”
Championing local talents
Big Shots Limerick is one of many initiatives supporting the growing film industry in the city. “I think there’s so much opportunity now for people that weren’t there five, ten, or fifteen years ago,” said Vaughan, who lists Troy Studios, Fresh Film Festival, Film in Limerick, and Emerging Limerick Filmmakers alongside Big Shots as some of the main groups leading the charge of the local film scene.
“We’ve all got our niche and there’s a great ecosystem at play here. Getting on board with something with us means you’ll be on other people’s radar, too – and who knows where that leads too!,” he said.
Big Shots’ support of local artists of all forms extends beyond filmmaking, with their awards and medals being “made by a local designer who 3D prints everything with a type of organic, biodegradable ‘plastic,’ and our artwork is done by local artist Aaron Jennings. We really try to support what’s happening on the ground here!,” Vaughan said.
Themes, time constraints, and terrifying films
The filmmaking guidelines of Halloween Screams offer its creative teams a multitude of industry experience, making it not only an exhilarating seasonal event but an unmissable career opportunity. “Filmmaking is hard, and often expensive. Events like this, where everyone chips in for the love of it, are great ways to explore and develop skills,” said Vaughan.
“Filmmaking is such a collaborative art form that you can’t do it on your own; you need people who can select a perfect costume or source the right shade of blood. Learning all that stuff in a fun challenge environment like this helps build skills and is a great networking opportunity for anyone looking to break into the industry,” he said.
Charlene Lydon also supports this hands-on practical learning experience. She said, “I love events like this where teams have to get really creative due to time and budget constraints. That tension can create really fun and interesting work and horror is the perfect genre for thinking outside the box.”
Halloween Screams will take place at 7.30pm on Saturday, October 31 at the Belltable.
