High Five: Ireland

Allianz digs deep into the 'Courage versus Fear' platform developed by the team at Huskies with this superbly shot CSR film in support of domestic violence charity Women’s Aid. It’s a high concept piece that I think just walks the tightrope of surprise on a very sad and serious subject, without looking like its exploiting the lives of women affected. I’m looking forward to seeing what else Allianz does with the partnership.

Sometimes the most effective way of showing your support is just to show your support. Fair dues to the eir team for being so quick to help the people of Ukraine - I think I admire them even more for not making a fancy gif, logo or adapted icon to get the message out there. There is more they could do with this perfect gesture yet, which is to help us learn more about the conversations real people affected by the atrocities are having between Ukraine and Ireland.

Occasionally a story about courage in the face of adversity takes on a very different meaning. We created 'The News' as a film with a hopeful ending to change the narrative around a lung cancer diagnosis. We call it 'the short film that could be a feature', thanks to early diagnosis. To get an unknown cast - and to get the production value of an international short - director Brian O’Malley and Saturday Films shot it in Ukraine with Family Productions with an all-Ukrainian cast and crew. It’s a beautiful and poignant piece about a ray of hope in a dark time. We have no idea currently if everyone involved is safe.

The Virgin Media Dublin International Film festival is on. A distraction from the distressing news of the everyday, a refuge in creativity and storytelling and a place to see things from a different perspective. Indeed, a clever and sweet mini billboard is an apt way to say all films this year are also available on the small screen.

BOLD Studios has been making the move from production company to bona fide creative agency for some time and this film really confirms its evolution in style. Among all that is terrifying in the world today, here’s a gorgeous, funny, warm and real earthy ode to Ireland’s salt-of-the-earth inner-city shopping centre. Superbly directed by Dave Fox and shot by Alex Quinn, it’s a simple joy that doesn’t reinvent the wheel it just allows us to enjoy watching it spin. And we need a reason to smile right now...