Róisín Kearney is a multi-award-winning Irish writer, director, and producer working across film, television, and theatre. She has established a reputation for crafting emotionally resonant stories, transitioning into filmmaking after initially making history as Ireland’s first female theatre lighting designer.
Key Projects & Career Highlights
- ÉIST (2026): Her recent short film starring Stephen Rea. It won the prestigious Puttnam Script Award and premiered to a sold-out audience at the Fastnet Film Festival. [1, 2]
- The Ballad of Olive Morris: Served as Executive Producer for this acclaimed short film, which was shortlisted for a BAFTA. [1, 2]
- PADDY (2020): Directed this award-winning period piece exploring identity and immigration, which premiered at the Galway Film Fleadh. [1, 2]
- The Ferry (2019): Co-produced this highly regarded film that made the Academy Awards longlist. [1, 2]
- Keep It Up: Directed this 6-part hybrid documentary series for Macalla Teo and RTÉ, which earned a Celtic Media Festival nomination. [1, 2]
- Adventures of a Young Pirate Queen: Produces this award-winning children’s audio drama series, now airing its third season on RTÉ Jr Radio. [1, 2]
Background and Professional Evolution
Kearney spent 11 years working in theatre production, lighting design, and stage direction before stepping into independent cinema during the late 1990s. She temporarily left production to raise her three children, staying involved on the periphery through script development, copywriting, and talent consulting. [1, 2, 3, 4]
She made her writing comeback with the 2014 comedy short The Love Agency. Since then, she has consistently created short films, including Puttnam Award winning Éist, The Laughing Boys, RUN, No Dogs, and The Family Way.
If you are researching a specific aspect of her career, let me know if you would like details on her upcoming feature films in development, details about her theatre background, or links to her recent industry interviews.