Alex Sheehan, better known as Eskimo Supreme of Versatile, has revealed his first venture into the world of film - Cat Burning Ultras.

The movie has been named as an official selection for Louth International Film Festival 2023. It has also been selected for the 14th Underground Cinema Film Awards Dublin 2023, as well as an addition to the Spook Screen festival in Cork.

On September 30 at An Táin Arts Centre, Sheehan will join Louth International Film Festival-goers to discuss his debut film. The session will run from 4pm.

In a note about the film, LIFF co-director Lorcan Dunne said: "Cat Burning Ultras is a hilarious and provocative short film. With its strong performances, unique genre blend and fusion of Guy Ritchie/Matthew Vaughn language, this film leaves a lasting impression. The film has achieved a lot with a relatively small budget.

"You're the type of filmmaker," Dunne told Sheehan, "who should be funded in this country instead of the mediocrity we often see on Irish TV and in Irish feature films."

It's yet to be revealed if Alex Sheehan will attend the Underground Cinema Film Awards, which will take place in the Royal Marine Hotel, Dun Laoghaire, in early November, or the Spook Screen festival in Cork, taking place from tomorrow, September 22 to September 24.

"Known as Eskimo Supreme, Alex is an Irish rapper and one-half of Versatile," the Louth International Film festival notes on its Facebook page. "He and his childhood buddy Casper Walsh have been making waves on OUTBURST PAL's YouTube since 2014 with millions of views - even grabbing the spotlight in a 2018 New York Times feature. Cat Burning Ultras is the artist's first dabble into the world of film."

Other films of note showing at the Louth International Film Festival include Dublin Crust, Lakelands, Aisha, Suit Hung Tied Tongue, The Keepers, and A Passing Place.

Opening the festival is Dublin Crust, a film directed by Dundalk-native Baz Black, who featured in the September issue of Hot Press. You can read Stuart Clarke's in-depth interview with the actor/director - here.

The festival's closing film is Lakelands, who have secured a Best Feature Film nomination at the festival, alongside four IFTA nominations.

Nominees for various awards at the Dundalk-based festival have also been announced, including the nominees for Best Feature Film, and Best Actor.

The nominees for Best Feature Film are: Dublin Crust, Aisha, Suit Hung Tied Tongue, Lakelands, and A Passing Place.

The gender-neutral Best Actor category sees Mark Smith, Bernie Ní Dhuibhir, Pat Shortt, Lesley Conroy, Ashraf Tumuheirwe, Éanna Hardwicke, Sophie Marie Larrouy, Carmel Stephens, Sadhbh Larkin Coyle, Steven Jess, Claire Gleeson, and Karen Kelly all nominated.

Other awards include: Best Short Fiction, Best Short Documentary, Seamus McGarvey Award for Best Cinematography, Best Student Film, Audience Choice, Best in Louth, Best Feature Documentary, Best Feature Fiction, Dearbhla Walsh Award for Best Director, Best International Short, and Best International Feature.

Check out the trailer for Cat Burning Ultras below:

 

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