HOLLYWOOD is calling for Killaloe’s Oisín McKeogh as the budding writer and director was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to hone his craft at the American Film Institute Conservatory in Los Angeles on Thursday.
Interested in dark, absurd comedies with a distinctly Irish touch, the 24 year old recently graduated from the National Film School BA programme in Dun Laoghaire, winning SDGI Director of the Year award. His graduation film “Tough Love” screened at multiple Oscar and BAFTA-qualifying festivals internationally, from Nashville Film Festival to CamerImage.
Managed by the Ireland-United States Commission for Educational Exchange (IUSCEE) since 1957, the Fulbright bilateral exchange programme has played an essential role in strengthening the special relationship between the U.S. and Ireland and building lasting ties between both nations.
On his initial reaction to receiving the Fulbright award, Oisín said “I just genuinely couldn’t believe it. It was such an honour to get it and to even be considered for it. It hasn’t really sunk in yet, I would say, but I’m just absolutely delighted. I just can’t believe that it has happened and that I’m able to take advantage of this opportunity. It just never really seemed like something that would be possible or would happen”, he added.
“It’s one of those things that it’s a dream, but you don’t ever think that it’s going to materialise and then suddenly the opportunity is there and with Fulbright and everything it really does open that door. I’m really delighted”, the East Clare native continued.
Oisín has also been selected for the prestigious Screen Ireland Spotlight scheme, their flagship screenwriting talent development programme, with his TV series ‘Big Super Mega Genius’ and recently received funding from the ENGINE Film Scheme for his short film ‘Call Me Anon’.
The young director’s influences include popular American comedies such as Anchorman, Bridesmaids and Hot Fuzz, “Those kind of very fun, kind of out there silly comedies that would have some sort of message underneath or there’d be something kind of hiding under the surface to think about. So I’d say those ones definitely had quite a big inspiration and impact on me”, Oisín explains.
During his time in LA, the film enthusiast will be working on developing 4 short films across 2 years and hopes to break into the Irish feature film scene when he returns, although he notes that his plans are not “super concrete” yet.
While swapping Kincora for Sunset Blvd may seem tempting, Oisín outlines “I think my heart is really in Ireland. I’m looking forward to coming back and kind of bringing back what I’ve learned and seeing how that can contribute towards Irish films and the Irish film industry in some way. So the plan is never fully concrete and I think you always have to stay open but I would be looking forward to working in the Irish film industry”, he adds.
