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THIS PROMISE

SHORT FILM

A chance encounter brings hope to a homeless mother battling to get her daughter back

ABOUT

THIS PROMISE tells the story of Cheryl, a woman, homeless in Dublin, struggling to access her daughter and the friendship she forms that keeps her going. The short film, directed by Naoimh Ní Luanaigh highlights multiple issues faced by homeless women in Ireland, but primarily tells a story of resilience and hope.

“There has been a 49% increase in the number of women homeless in Ireland in the last 2 years.”
— Focus Ireland 2023

Homelessness splinters families, isolates people and robs them of their dignity. Women who find themselves in this position are especially vulnerable. With the number of women falling into homelessness rising, it has never been more important for us to tell their stories.

Many of the people on screen in THIS PROMISE have had first-hand experience with homelessness. This includes lead actor and co-writer, Elaine Ryan who was affected by homelessness for a number of years. During screenplay development, we engaged with a number of homeless services and many of our scenes were shot in a real life homeless day care centre. As a result, there is an authenticity to This Promise that makes it truly unique.

Bringing a true to life depiction of homelessness to screen in an impactful way has been the driving force behind THIS PROMISE. We worked with a talented team to produce a film that uses intimate cinematography to draw audiences in to our lead characters world. Short films can take you on powerful, moving journeys and we hope you get the opportunity to be moved by THIS PROMISE.

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CAST & CREW

NAOIMH NÍ LUANAIGH

Naoimh is a writer and director based in Cork. Her film Kennedy Quay screened at Cork Film Festival and on RTE Shortscreen. Her film Me the Seagull and the Sky has screened at the IFI (Irish Film Institute), Triskel Christchurch Cinema and Dundee Arts Centre.

Naoimh has a fist class honours Degree in Fine Art from Brighton University, where she specialized in video art. She currently works at Trinity College Dublin, where she manages content production for Trinity’s visitor experiences.

MO O’CONNELL

Mo is an award winning actor, director and producer based in Dublin.

Her short film Lambing, which was commissioned by Kildare Film Fund premiered at Galway Film Fleadh 2022.

In recent years, Mo produced Spa Weekend, a multi-award-winning comedy feature film and several award-winning short films including, Proclaim!, Girls and Thespish.

Screen Ireland commissioned Mo to direct a short film called, Hum which won the Audience Choice Award at the Emerging Lens Film Festival in Canada and was recently selected by RTE for their Shortscreen programme.

Mo won the Pitching Award at Galway Film Fleadh 2022 to develop a feature length version of her short film Haven.

GARRETH CAULFIELD

Garreth is a passionate cinematographer who has worked on hundreds of film and video productions. He was Director of Photography for Dub Daze, a feature film that premiered at the Dublin International Film Festival.

Other productions include You’re Ugly Too an Irish feature film starring Aiden Gillen, In the Name of Peace. John Hume in America an acclaimed feature length documentary and Windmill Lane Sessions a series for TV3.

Garreth’s commercial clients include Google, Renault, Logitech and Heineken. He has been lecturing on cinematography at Dublin’s renowned Pulse College for 11 years.

ELAINE RYAN

Elaine is an actor and writer from Dublin. She is a graduate of Bow Street Academy and co-wrote This Promise with Naoimh Ní Luanaigh.

Elaine has collaborated with Louise Lowe of ANU Productions and in 2019 she wrote and performed a one woman show that featured at numerous Dublin theatres.

She will play the lead role of Cheryl in THIS PROMISE.

AOIFE MOONEY

Aoife is an acting student at Aniss Stage Academy in her hometown of Ashbourne. At just 8 years old she's appeared in several TV series' and short films  such as Maxine, The Wasp, The Vanishing Triangle, Cocaine Bear and Apocolypse Clown. Aoife has appeared in an educational shoot for Irish Food Safety as well as several TV ads and theatre productions.

JASMINE OSCHUN

Jasmine is a graduate of Bow Street Academy and has worked with Naoimh Ní Luanaigh and Elaine Ryan to develop the character of Maria, who she will play in THIS PROMISE.


Jasmine is a qualified Media Trainer and a Personal Life and Business Coach.

BARRY JOHN KINSELLA

Barry is a graduate of the Lir Academy and has played Bobby in MADHOUSE (Peacock) and Jay Gatsby (Gate Theatre). His screen work includes features WHO WE LOVE (2021 IFTA nominated), THE BLACK GUELPH, MAXINE (CHANNEL 5), SANCTUARY (AMC), THE BLACK GEULPH (2021), INNOCENT 2 (ITV),He also co-wrote/starred in the Screen Ireland short DO I KNOW YOU? by Rioghnach Ni Grioghair.

JANET LITTLE

Janet is a graduate of Momentum Acting Studio and has appeared in several short films in the last number of years including Meeting his Parents, Bitch, Out and What I stand For.

 GALLERY

Photographers: Marcelline Roulleau and Conor Tobin

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CONTACT US

This Promise is gearing up to hit the film festival circuit. If you would like to screen our film or speak to us about our filmmaking journey, please get in touch.

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