Who We Love

Who We Love
Directed by	Graham Cantwell
Written by	Graham Cantwell Katie McNeice
Based on	Lily by Graham Cantwell
Produced by	Edwina Forkin Alan Fitzpatrick Graham Cantwell
Starring	Clara Harte Dean Quinn Amy-Joyce Hastings
Cinematography	Austin Ray Westin Ray
Music by	Joseph Conlan
Release date	24 July 2021 (2021-07-24) (Galway)
Running time	92 minutes [1]
Country	Ireland
Language	English

Who We Love is an Irish coming-of-age drama film directed by Graham Cantwell and written by Cantwell and Katie McNeice. It is a feature-length adaptation of Cantwell's 2016 short film Lily. It premiered at the 2021 Galway Film Fleadh.

Cast

• Clara Harte as Lily
• Dean Quinn as Simon
• Amy-Joyce Hastings as Oonagh
• Venetia Bowe as Violet
• Amy Hughes as AJ
• Barry John Kinsella as Mr Murphy
• Danielle Galligan as Naomi
• Paul Ronan as Dermot
• Aisling O'Neill as Yvette
• Jimmy Smallhorne as Fran
• Lynette Callaghan as Miss O'Shea
• Alison McGirr as Celine
• Hallie Ridgeway as Emer
• Daniel Mahon as Paul
• Laurence O'Fuarain as Joe
• Niamh McCormack as Róisín
• Ian Gerard Whyte as Tony
• Jeanne Nicole Ní Áinle as Aisha
• Karen Kelly as Julie
• Clara Harte as Lily
• Ryan Lincoln as Taylor
• James Flynn as Julius
• Sarah Kinlen as Angela
• Geraldine McAlinden as Mrs. Fitzgerald
• Charlie Maher as Ultan
• Louise Bourke as Jodie
• Alicia Gerrard as Mandy
• Lynette Callaghan as Miss O'Shea
• Orla McGovern as Ms Brady
• Alekson L. Dall'Armellina as Arturo

Production

Graham Cantwell's 2016 short film Lily screened at film festivals and received IFTA accolades. ^[2] Cantwell returned to direct and write the feature version with Katie McNeice joining him as a writer. Cantwell also produced Who We Love alongside Edwina Forkin and Alan Fitzpatrick. The American duo the Ray Sisters did the cinematography for the film. ^[3]

Clara Harte, Dean Quinn, and Amy-Joyce Hastings reprised the leads from the short film. Paul Ronan, Aisling O'Neill, Lynette Callaghan also reprised their supporting roles. Venetia Bowe replaced Leah McNamara as Violet. Also cast were Amy Hughes, Danielle Galligan, Jimmy Smallhorne, and Alison McGirr.

Principal photography took place in and around Dublin, and experienced disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. ^[4] Filming locations included the Donahies Community School, Dublin City Centre, the George, PantiBar, and Pennylane. ^[5]

Release

The film had its first screening on 24 July 2021 at the Galway Film Fleadh. ^[6]

Awards and nominations

Year	Award	Category	Recipient(s)	Result	Ref
2021	Galway Film Fleadh	New Talent Award	Clara Harte	Nominated	[7]
	Kerry Film Festival	Best Fiction Feature	Who We Love	Won	[8]
		Rising Talent Award	Katie McNeice	Won
2022	Irish Film & Television Awards	Best Film	Who We Love	Nominated	[9]
		Best Director	Graham Cantwell	Nominated
		Best Script	Graham Cantwell and Katie McNeice	Nominated
		Actress in a Supporting Role – Film	Amy-Joyce Hastings	Nominated
		Actor in a Supporting Role – Film	Dean Quinn	Nominated
		Original Music	Joseph Conlan	Nominated

References

1. "Galway Film Fleadh Online Ireland: Who We Love". Eventive. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
2. "Irish Short Film Review: Lily". Film Ireland. 16 January 2018. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
3. "Who We Love". Ray Sisters. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
4. Andrews, Kernan (20 July 2021). "Irish LGBT+ film gets world premiere at the Fleadh". Galway Advertiser. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
5. Murphy, Niall (19 July 2021). "Irish LGBTQ+ drama Who We Love to premiere at 33rd Galway Film Fleadh". Scannain. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
6. "Gabriel Byrne among star-studded line-up at this year's Galway Film Fleadh". RTÉ. 7 July 2021. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
7. "Galway Film Fleadh announces the nominees for the 2021 Bingham Ray New Talent Award". Galway Film Fleadh. 20 July 2021. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
8. "Kerry International Film Festival 2021 winners announced". Kerry Film Festival. 18 October 2021. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
9. Clarke, Donald. "Belfast and An Cailín Ciúin lead nominations for Irish film and television awards". The Irish Times.

External links

• Who We Love at IMDb