We had the good fortune of connecting with Kate Haley and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Kate, why did you pursue a creative career?
I grew up in a rural town in Co. Donegal, Ireland. As kids, we were encouraged by our parents to read, draw, and create from an early age. We lived in a beautiful place – rolling green hills that meet the Atlantic Ocean, green and gold.
When I was a kid, I loved making up stories. Before I would go to sleep at night, I would close my eyes and imagine myself in a movie theater. It was dark, warm, and the crowd’s murmur would echo inside my head. On the screen, there would be three titles – one a romance, the other a comedy, and the last a horror. I would always pick the romance or comedy and attempt to make that film play out in my dreams. I was never as successful as I’d hoped, but I would watch those imagined stories before I drifted off into a deep, uncontrollable sleep where I had little to no command over the images that I saw.
I thought I wanted to be a writer when I was little. It was simple; all you needed was a pen and paper. When I discovered cinema, that I could make what was on the page real, I knew that was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. It’s a great privilege to be a film director. Unlike a writer, you work with a massive team of people. You need trust, clarity, and a deep drive to bring something to life. When you work well with your crew, it’s an incredible experience. You are all creating something from nothing. It’s a career you can’t do alone.
Filmmaking is a craft that constantly inspires me. I am lucky to get to be an artist, to have had opportunities to learn, challenge myself, and grow. Pursuing directing led me from Ireland to the USA, and I am forever grateful to be able to make storytelling my career.
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m an Irish film director and writer whose stories draw strength from the fragility of the human experience. I revel in the power of my characters’ perceived weaknesses, crafting narratives that challenge and subvert audience expectations. I’m drawn to complex characters and enjoy examining our relationships with each other and the world in a critical, satirical way. Much of my work carries an absurd aspect, reflecting the inherent complications of life with a dark humor that I hope allows us to see things more clearly.
My journey into filmmaking began in Dublin, where I balanced work as a barista with directing short films and theatre projects with friends. When the pandemic struck, many of these creative avenues were disrupted. This career path has never been easy, but nothing worthwhile ever is. Through it all, I’ve embraced the importance of self-advocacy and maintaining belief in the possibility of achieving one’s goals.
In 2022, I was honored to receive the Fulbright Scholarship, which allowed me to pursue my passion in the United States. Currently, I’m completing an MFA in Film & TV at Savannah College of Art and Design.
My short film “A Death in the Family” has garnered recognition, winning Best Irish Short at the Disappear Here Film Festival and Best Cinematography at the WFT Short Film Showcase. It was also selected for screening as part of the CIACLA Irish Short Reels Series in LA and is currently being distributed by Omeleto. Additionally, I was chosen by the Regional Cultural Centre and Donegal Film Office, in collaboration with the Arts Council of Ireland, to showcase my work as one of Donegal’s leading early-career filmmakers.
During my time at SCAD, I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with fantastic teams. My short, “Splash!”, earned a Red Dot Award for Sound Design and has recently been nominated for Best Short Fiction and Best Writer at the NATAS Southeast Student Production Awards. I’ve just completed the production phase of my thesis film, “A Fairytale Romance,” and I’m eagerly anticipating its debut at film festivals. Looking ahead, I aspire to continue creating work and establishing connections in the USA, ultimately leading to the realization of my debut feature film.
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If you’re looking for a cool cinema experience in Atlanta, you’ve got to check out the Plaza Theatre. It’s one of my favorite spots in the city. This iconic venue has been around since 1939 and offers a unique blend of independent, cult, and classic films. Whenever I’m in the mood for something different, I head over to the Plaza. The theater has such a cool vintage vibe, and they often host special events, screenings, and film festivals. Plus, the eclectic and artistic décor adds to the overall experience. Trust me, if you’re a movie lover like me, you won’t want to miss out on the Plaza Theatre!
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Shoutout to The Fulbright Scholarship Ireland for supporting my career – I couldn’t be here without them!
Website: www.katehaleyfilm.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/k8haley
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/k8haley
Other: Vimeo : https://vimeo.com/k8haley
Image Credits
Headshot – Molly Keane Splash! Poster – Madison Lambert