We were lucky to catch up with Kate Haley recently and have shared our conversation below.

Kate, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

All of the films I’ve created are meaningful to me in some way, shape, or form. They express different sides of me as a creative and the themes that interest me. If I absolutely had to choose one, it would probably be my first Irish short film, “A Death in the Family.” I wrote and directed the short, and it really sparked my whole career. I had never directed anything outside of theater and a couple of small one-man-band type shorts I’d made for fun with friends, so it was a big deal to get to direct a script that I’d written. The lovely Sir Gerry Robinson had helped to fund the film, and I had a very supportive producer, Robert O’Meara, in Dublin. The story is based on a real event from my childhood. I grew up with animals, and we’d always raised our chicks from when they hatched, so the first time we learned where the chicken on our dinner table came from was a hard lesson to swallow (both literally and metaphorically). Being from Ireland, dark comedy and satire have always appealed to me. They are tools I use across my body of work. Making that short film proved to me that being a filmmaker was something achievable.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am an award-winning writer and director from Co. Donegal, Ireland. I was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to study in the USA, where I completed an MFA in Film & TV at the Savannah College of Art and Design.

I got into filmmaking because of my love for storytelling and the arts. Growing up in Ireland, I was surrounded by rich cultural narratives, and I’ve always had a deep appreciation for literature. I studied English Literature at Trinity College in Dublin. These influences have shaped my work, leading me to create films that blend fantasy, memory, and reality. I enjoy pushing against the boundaries of genre and challenging the ideas we have about ourselves, our relationships, and the world we live in.

My short film “A Death in the Family” won Best Irish Short at the Disappear Here Film Festival, Best Cinematography at the WFT Short Film Showcase, and earned a spot in the CIACLA Irish Short Reels Series in Los Angeles. It is currently being distributed by Omeleto. The first short film I made in the USA, “Splash!”, was awarded a Red Dot Award for Sound Design and received nominations for Best Narrative Short and Best Writer at the NATAS Southeast Student Emmys. My latest short film, “A Fairytale Romance,” was produced with the Executive Producers of Netflix’s “MerPeople”.

Through my films, I aim to provide viewers with an immersive experience that not only entertains but also provokes thought and introspection. I believe that cinema has the power to challenge stereotypes, promote diversity, and drive social change, and I strive to ensure that women’s voices and stories are represented and respected in the industry.

What I hope sets me apart is my unique blend of fantasy and realism, and my dedication to exploring complex themes in a way that resonates with audiences on a personal level.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

Increasing funding and grants is crucial for supporting artists and ensuring a thriving creative ecosystem. By providing financial support through grants, scholarships, and funding opportunities, artists can focus on their work without the constant pressure of financial instability. Starting out in careers like these can be both scary and confusing, with a path that often feels unclear and where passion alone is not enough to keep you afloat. This is something that I’ve experienced at every level—having to work multiple jobs just to survive can wear you down and detract from your creative energy. Support should be accessible to artists at all stages of their careers, including emerging talents who are just starting to make their mark. In Ireland, while Screen Ireland offers valuable support, there is still a need for more resources dedicated specifically to emerging artists. Drawing from my experience in both the film markets in the USA and Ireland, it’s clear that enhanced funding and targeted programs for new talent are needed globally. This would help alleviate initial barriers, enabling fresh voices to contribute to the cultural landscape and drive innovation, making the career more accessible to anyone who feels they have something to say through film.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

One important lesson I had to unlearn is the fear of reaching out and asking for help. Filmmaking is a collaborative art form, it truly takes a village. Initially, I struggled with the idea of relying on others and often hesitated to reach out, worried that others might not think I was good enough or feeling too shy to connect. However, this industry thrives on personal connections and networking. Most of us don’t come from film dynasties, I definitely don’t, so we have to forge our own connections and start from scratch. Sometimes these connections work out, and sometimes they don’t. The key is to trust people and make the effort to build relationships. Those you genuinely connect with will become your filmmaking family, collaborating with you on multiple projects. Embracing this collaborative spirit has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my career.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.katehaleyfilm.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/k8haley
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/k8haley
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YptjkyO0s0E