TADA'S inaugural film festival is a roaring success - Kilkenny Live

TADA theatre and Film school had its very first film festival in Thomastown on Saturday and showcased their work to a captive audience.

All the films were made by children and four films were screened on the brand new cinema screen at Thomastown Community Centre, a fantastic new facility.

One of the films, Ella Cinder, was made specifically for Cruinniú na nÓg 2023. This is a modern retelling of Cinderella.  The festival includes films from TADA Inistioge students and a documentary film funded by an Arts Act Grant, from Kilkenny Arts office.

The screening started at 3pm and was followed by a Q and A with the young filmmakers. All the films received a positive reaction from the audiences and the youngsters were complimented for their acting and writing skills.

TADA theatre and film school is run by Gillian Grattan at venues in Thomastown and Inistioge and in September youth theatre classes for secondary school students will be kicking off.

Artist Davy Holohan preparing for summer exhibition in Kilkenny

All the work is created and performed by the students so children learn how to bring a project from page to stage/ screen.

“A big thank you to Creative Ireland, Creative Kilkenny, The Arts Council, Kilkenny Arts Office and Kilkenny County Council for their continued support over the last few weeks and last number of years. Our first film festival was a great success,” said Gillian Grattan who runs Theatre and Dramatic Arts (TADA).

Gillian studied Theatre Arts at the University of Ulster and spent a year at the University of San Jose putting on plays and acting and directing Her plays include; Tinderella, Hooked!/Fish Out Of Water, Lost Weekend, Beyond The Forest, Ascension, The Undertakers, Chinese Whispers, Snapshot, No Room for Sweet and Waiting for Double O. Gillian has written, directed and produced radio drama and documentaries.