Damian McCarthy

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Damian McCarthy
BornJanuary 1981 (age 44)
West Cork, Ireland
OccupationFilmmaker
Years active2003–present

Damian McCarthy (born January 1981) is an Irish filmmaker. He is best known for the horror films Caveat (2020), Oddity (2024), and Hokum (2026).

Contents

Early life

McCarthy was born in West Cork in January 1981. [1] His interest in horror films was sparked by a video rental shop in Bantry that his father owned during the 1980s and 1990s. [2] He studied Film & TV Production at St. John's College in Cork, graduating in 2003 with a distinction in scriptwriting and directing from the FETAC. [3]

Career

McCarty made numerous short films from 2003 to 2017, supporting himself in between with work as an electrician. [3] Some of his short films were screened at festivals such as Frightfest in London, Screamfest in Los Angeles, the New York City Horror Film Festival, and the San Sebastien Horror & Fantasy Film Festival. [3] He won the Melies d'Argent Award for Best European Short Film twice, as well as a Delta Film Award, an International Indie Short Film Award, and a Cutting Edge Award for Best Emerging Horror Director, among others. [3]

McCarty made his feature-length directorial debut at the age of 39 when he wrote, directed, and edited the horror film Caveat (2020), which received mostly positive reviews. [4] He next wrote and directed the horror film Oddity (2024), which was a critical success. [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] It won an Audience Award at South by Southwest. [2] He will make his Hollywood debut as the writer and director of the horror film Hokum (2026). [10]

Filmography

Feature films

Short films

References

  1. "Damian McCarthy on Instagram". Instagram.
  2. 1 2 "Damian McCarthy: Father's shop in Bantry inspired a love of horror films". Irish Examiner. 22 August 2024.
  3. 1 2 3 4 https://hediesattheend.com/about
  4. Lodge, Guy (2 June 2021). "'Caveat' Review: Incomplete but Intriguing Irish Horror Offers Shoestring Scares and a Drumming Bunny". Variety.
  5. Lowe, Justin (9 March 2024). "'Oddity' Review: Damian McCarthy's Supernatural Suspenser Casts an Unsettling Spell". The Hollywood Reporter.
  6. Melanson, Angel (18 July 2024). "ODDITY: A Curious Conversation With Director Damian McCarthy". Fangoria.
  7. "Podcast: Damian McCarthy, Writer/Director of 'Oddity' – Film Ireland Magazine". Film Ireland. 30 August 2024.
  8. Puchko, Kristy (18 July 2024). "'Oddity's Damian McCarthy reveals the origins of his Wooden Man". Mashable.
  9. Navarro, Meagan (17 July 2024). "'Oddity' Writer/Director Discusses Scare-Crafting and That Creepy Mannequin [Interview]". Bloody Disgusting.
  10. Ritman, Alex (6 February 2025). "Adam Scott to Lead Supernatural Horror 'Hokum' From 'Oddity' Director Damian McCarthy (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety.