Lisa Mulcahy

Lisa Mulcahy began her career as an assistant film editor in Dublin and London. She then worked as an assistant director on many films and television dramas. Later she directed the short films THE VERY STUFF (1997), HALF FULL, HALF EMPTY (1999), DAY ONE (2001), COMING HOME (2011), some episodes of the TV series THE CLINIC and ON HOME GROUND, documentaries and commercials. In 2008 she made her directorial debut feature film, SITUATIONS VACANT. In 2010 she shot the TV movie GIFT OF THE MAGI.

Director’s statement

“I had a very strong personal connection with this story from the moment I read it. This, for me, is vital with any project I am involved in. The script, although a magical story, is full of real characters with credible motives. This too is vital; maybe this comes from my experiences as a documentary film maker but if I cannot believe a character and their actions whether they are ‘good’ or ‘bad’ then I cannot expect anyone else to. I had never made a children’s film before but here I had a great scenario with a lot of heart, where there was huge opportunity for drama as well as comedy. I love comedy – who doesn’t want to laugh? And I felt I knew my audience; my nine year old daughter was there all the way and the story conjured up so many emotions I had felt when watching many great films when I was a child; films full of emotion and passion; a desire for good to conquer evil, big characters with bigger dreams and the idea that no matter what, we should never, ever, give up”.