Best Screenplay Award

I am so honoured that Perspective has picked up another screenplay award, “Best Short Screenplay” at the 17th Waterford International Film Festival. My thanks to the festival director Stephen Byrne and to the Jury. The Awards presentation took place at the House of Waterford Crystal Factory, where I received this stunning trophy and generous prizes.

Perspective was previously the winner of the Best Short Screenplay Award 2023 at the Catalyst International Film Festival, sponsored by the Writers Guild of Ireland and adjudicated by Frank Berry and Ursula Rani Sarma. The script was additionally a finalist for the Kerry International Film Festival Screenplay Award, and the Pune Short Film Festival Screenplay Award, as well as a winner in the screenplay category of the Hammond House International Literary Festival.

Perspective is a short film book-ended with two Halloween nights, one year apart. A young girl, Hazel, loses her eye in a firework attack. Instead of giving in to despair, her natural optimism and resilience allows her to reimagine herself, in the process inspiring the adults around her.

The project is currently in development with Danú Media (producers Nadine Flynn and Louise Richardson attached) to bring the project to screen.

WHO WE LOVE Cinema Release

After almost two years on a successful festival run, indie feature Who We Love hits Irish cinemas on April 28th. A launch night for the cinema release was held at Cinemas@Dundrum on April 24th with cast and crew in attendance. Event photography was by Rafael Kostrezwa.

A film about coming of age and coming out, “Who We Love” tells the story of Lily and Simon, best friends who navigate the troubled waters of school life and explore Dublin’s vibrant and sometimes dark LGBTQ+ scene under the sharp eye of reluctant mentor Oonagh.

Who We Love is an award winning feature film directed by Graham Cantwell and written by Graham Cantwell and Katie McNeice. Cinematography by the Ray Sisters. Amy-Joyce Hastings received an IFTA nomination for her performance as Oonagh in the film, one of six the film garnered at last year’s awards.

IRELAND AM

Amy-Joyce and director Graham Cantwell had a chat with Gráinne Seoige and Martin King on Ireland AM about the upcoming cinema release of Who We Love, in Irish cinemas from April 28th.

They were then reunited with The Callback Queen cinematographer Anthony Bowes backstage in the Virgin Media Television studio!

CATALYST BEST SCREENPLAY AWARD

Amy-Joyce was the winner of the Best Short Screenplay Award 2023 for her screenplay Perspective at the Catalyst International Film Festival. This prestigious award is sponsored by the Writers Guild of Ireland, of which Amy-Joyce now becomes a member. Catalyst International Film Festival, now in its 5th year, is a festival championing diverse voices and it was founded by the president of Women in Film & Television International, Dr. Susan Liddy.

The award was adjudicated by writer/director Frank Berry (Aisha, Michael Inside) and writer Ursula Rani Sarma (Smother). Amy-Joyce additionally enjoyed screenwriting and directing workshops at the festival with renowned director Aisling Walsh (Maudie).

Perspective was recently a finalist for the Kerry International Film Festival Screenplay Award, and the Pune Short Film Festival Screenplay Award, as well as a previous winner in the screenplay category of the Hammond House International Literary Festival. The script is a current screenplay finalist for the upcoming Waterford International Film Festival.

Perspective is a short film book-ended with two Halloween nights, one year apart. A young girl, Hazel, loses her eye in a firework attack. Instead of giving in to despair, her natural optimism and resilience allows her to reimagine herself, in the process inspiring the adults around her.

The project is currently in development with Danú Media (producers Nadine Flynn and Louise Richardson attached) to bring the project to screen.

GSA FILM PROJECT

Amy-Joyce put her Behind The Lens skills to good use when she recently wrote and directed ten scenes for the Gaiety School of Acting’s as part of their Class of ’23 Graduation Film Project.

Mo O’Connell acted as producer for the project. The scenes were shot on location around Dublin. She wishes the best of luck to the many talented actors graduating!

On location photos by Rafael Kostrezwa.

FOCAIL BAILE CROÍ Wraps Filming in Kerry

Home is many things. Words are everything.

Filming has wrapped on Focail Baile Croí (Words Home Heart) in which Amy-Joyce plays the female lead role of Máthair (Mother).

This beautiful Irish language short was the winner of the Comórtas Físín funding award, funded by Screen Kerry and winner of multiple festival screenplay awards including the Catalyst Film Festival/Writers Guild of Ireland Best Short Screenplay.

The story – which spans thirty years within the walls of one household – revolves around a father imagining moments he will share with his son, teaching him words for his experiences in a home full of language and heart. 


Focail Baile Croí is at once a cinematic love letter to the Irish language and a reimagining of grief as a privilege of love.

Filming took place over one week in County Kerry. The film is written and directed by Screen International Rising Star Katie McNeice, produced by Maggie Ryan of Escape Pod Media, with Evan Barry onboard as cinematographer. It stars Lochlann O’Mearáin, Fiach Kunz and Amy-Joyce Hastings. On set photography by Tim Bingham.

Press Round Up

Amy-Joyce has some recent interviews printed in the Sunday Independent and in Woman’s Way.

She and actor Seán T. O’Meallaigh launched the rebrand of the Galway Film Centre as Ardán.

You can view all of Amy-Joyce’s recent press here.