Heathen set for cast and crew screening

'Heathen', a short horror film made in Cavan, is set to receive a private cast and crew screening in Killeshandra this coming weekend.

The 16-minute film, which premiered in October at the Clones Film Festival, tells the story of a house with a dark past, a man with connections to its history, and a documentary crew determined to uncover its sinister truth. When a young family living in the house begins to experience disturbing phenomena, the crew track down an enigmatic local man and convince him to return to his hometown.

The film stars Tommy Sharkey and was shot in Co Cavan in 2013 by Bruskey-based filmmaker Séan Smith and his wife and producing partner, Lauren Murphy. Filming took place across several locations in the county, with the majority of the cast and crew sourced locally.

Although filmed more than a decade ago, 'Heathen'- which was supported by the Cavan Arts Office- was completed late last year following a lengthy post-production process. Originally conceived as a longer film, it was ultimately reshaped during editing.

Smith and Murphy previously produced the Irish-language period horror 'The Gloaming', set during the Great Famine and starring Gowna's Kevin McGahern. That film was made on a micro-budget and went on to screen at festivals worldwide, picking up several awards along the way.

Smith, who studied Film Production at Ballyfermot College, has worked extensively in live television with RTÉ, as well as on a range of feature and short film projects, including the IFTA-nominated animated short 'Origin'. His feature film work includes 'Revenant', shot in Belturbet and Redhills, as well as Aghalane and Enniskillen in Fermanagh. That project was supported by the International Fund for Ireland.

Following its Clones premiere last October, the filmmakers now plan to send 'Heathen' on the international festival circuit throughout 2026, with hopes of further Irish screenings also.