Senator Sarah O’Reilly invited Run Of The Mill – an inclusive theatre group for those with disabilities – to Kildare Street to a showing of their award-winning film in the audio visual room.
The cast and crew of an early Irish Oscar hopeful visited Leinster House today (WEDS) for a screening of their film Mary Is Missing.
The 25-minute short was made by Run Of The Mill, a Co Kildare theatre group for those with intellectual disabilities such as Down Syndrome.
The film – a dark comedy Whodunnit – won the Grand Prix at the Cork International Film Festival, which puts it in the running for Oscar consideration.
Senators and TDs attended the screening, including Aontú leader Peadar Toíbin and Senator O’Reilly.
Senator O’Reilly said: “I was very pleased to have the opportunity to pay tribute to the excellent work Run of The Mill do in supporting people with intellectual disabilities to express themselves creatively and share their voices through film and the arts.
“The AV room in Leinster House is not usually associated with the most uplifting discussions, so it was particularly nice to have something positive and creative to share.”
Actors from the film, including Mark Smith and Conor Beglin, attended the viewing, alongside script-writer and director Aisling Byrne and producer Killian Coyle.
Aisling told the gathering: “Culture is how we understand ourselves as a society, so the arts are a powerful tool. Ireland’s cultural landscape is richer when it represents everyone.”
