The Puttnam Script Award focuses specifically on supporting diverse and ambitious storytelling and helping original projects become a reality. The competition is director driven and this year's theme is Safe Harbour!
Of the 71 scripts submitted, four finalists have been chosen by a panel of industry experts to pitch their projects to a live audience in Schull on Friday the 23rd of May.
The judging panel will consist of Emma Norton – Producer at Element Pictures, Chelsea Hoffman – Producer at Element Pictures, Jean van Sinderen-Law - Associate Vice President, Director of European Relations and Public Affairs at University College Cork, and Moderated by 4th Jury member David Power – Head of Development at John Kelleher Media.
The winner will be announced at the Awards Ceremony on Sunday 25th of May.
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The four finalists are: Ayla Amano, Étáin Nash, Roisin Kearney and Gary Sheridan. The winner will receive €25,000 towards production of a 10 minute short film to be shot on Cork’s Wild Atlantic Way and the Premiere of the resultant film will be screened at the festival in Schull in May 2026.
Ayla Amano is a Japanese-British writer and director based in Kinsale, Ireland. Her short film 4x4 won Best Cork Short at Fastnet Film Festival and earned a Special Mention at Cork International Film Festival. It also received multiple nominations, including at the Kinsale Sharks and WGI Zebby Awards. In 2023, she joined the National Talent Academy’s Director’s Lab and X-Pollinator CREATOR residency, receiving mentorship from Aisling Walsh and Ailbhe Keoghan. That year, she shadowed with Element Pictures, and in 2024 joined the inaugural Storyhouse Writer’s Lab. Her feature project is part of the 2025 X-Pollinator INCUBATOR 2.0 scheme.
Living An Island - Writer / Director Ayla Amano
In the late 1960’s on a remote island in west Cork, 11 year old Conor grapples with his father’s abandonment and his mother’s evolving relationship with a family friend.
Étáin Nash is a director from Schull, West Cork. Her short film Sisters screened internationally and earned her an Emerging Director Award nomination in 2022. Her music video Belly featured at DIFF and the2025 Directed by Her Showcase at the IFI. Étáin is currently developing her first documentary short with support from The Arts Council. Alongside her directing work, she has extensive industry experience as a production manager, extras coordinator, and casting assistant, with credits including Flora and Son, Bad Sisters, Spilt Milk, and Small Things Like These. Étáin’s work has a human centred focus, spotlighting underrepresented voices with a subtle and intimate approach."
The Parting - Writer Libby McCormac Director Étain Nash
If nine-year old Abbey can achieve the perfectly parted pigtails worn by her well-cared for classmates, she just might weather the storm of her troubled home-life and become a safe harbour for her and her little brother.
Gary Sheridan began primarily as an editor on the feature ‘How To Be Happy’ in 2013 plus multiple shorts. He then moved to directing his own wildly creative shorts and music videos. He produced and edited the absurd feature ‘Bicycle Thieves: Pumped Up’ (2021) which premiered at the Galway Film Fleadh. He moved on to writing his own dramatic work with the short ‘A Good Death’ (2025) which he also directed, produced, and edited. Having started from the end of production with editing and making his way backwards to the start with writing, Gary finds joy in the entire creative process from start to finish.
Youngfella – Writer / Director Gary Sherridan
A young lad who has fallen in with the wrong crowd sees a light when he reconnects with a friend from his past and decides to take his chance.
Roisin Kearney is an award-winning writer, director, and producer working across film and TV. Recent highlights include a BAFTA-shortlisted The Ballad of Olive Morris (EP), NY Radio Award nomination for Adventures of a Young Pirate Queen (producer), and PADDY (director), winner at Catalyst International FF. Her six short films have screened internationally, earning multiple awards. She’s received fellowships from Screen Ireland and MediaXchange, with projects Patrius and R.I.P. in development. Roisin is dedicated to working with youth, especially from disadvantaged backgrounds, and her storytelling often elevates underrepresented voices through documentary, drama, and hybrid formats.
Forget me Not - Writer / Director Roisin Kearney
When a young boy hears his grandfather’s confused cries to return to the place of his birth, he breaks him out of the nursing home and using his conformation money to take him home to 'the Island'.
Tickets on sale with eventbrite 9am Monday 28th April
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