The opening programme of this year’s festival is an acknowledgment that 2020 has been a year like no other. With Covid-19 ravaging the world, a ‘new normal’ of worrying uncertainty has established itself in Ireland and across the globe. Beyond the immediate effects of the virus, periods of lockdown, isolation and a general interruption to life as we have known it have touched us all. This programme is made up of films received through the festival’s open call that reflect on and react to living with the pandemic. Even if society is gripped by a public health crisis, these films are heartening proof that the enormous creativity of young filmmakers aged 12 - 24 is healthier than ever. The variety and sheer imagination of this group of films is itself a sign of hope, adaptability and resilience. From thoughtful documentaries to moving dramas to unclassifiable personal responses to the lockdown - and not forgetting a couple of laugh-out-loud comedies responding to some of its more absurdist aspects! – The New Normal is a testament to the inspiring power of youthful creativity. The New Normal&nbsp;(Olympia International Film Festival &amp; Camera Zizanio)Covid Eire&nbsp;(Michael Keane)Self Isolated&nbsp;(Ashish Prasai)The Year of the End&nbsp;(Muirinn Carty – County Wexford Youth Film Project)Three Things That Filmmakers Should Do During Quarantine&nbsp;(Brandon Lee)What About the Animals?&nbsp;(Tom Martin – County Wexford Youth Film Project)Conversation Covid: Aisling McNiffe&nbsp;(Amy &amp; Rebecca Moore – Kildare Young Filmmakers)Conversation Covid: Amy O’Sullivan&nbsp;(Amy &amp; Rebecca Moore – Kildare Young Filmmakers)Who Are You?&nbsp;(Harini Rameshkumar)Static&nbsp;(Gearoid Murphy)Season 16&nbsp;(Niamh Collins – Emerging Limerick Filmmakers)Conversation Covid: Gary Cogan&nbsp;(Amy &amp; Rebecca Moore – Kildare Young Filmmakers)The Shipwrecked School&nbsp;(Ciaran Mahony)Stay at Home&nbsp;(Emmet Punch)Conversation Covid: Maeve Doyle&nbsp;(Amy &amp; Rebecca Moore – Kildare Young Filmmakers)Conversation Covid: Sharon Curran&nbsp;(Amy &amp; Rebecca Moore – Kildare Young Filmmakers)Merry Covid Christmas&nbsp;(Terence MacSwiney Community College Transition Year Group)Distanced&nbsp;(Liam Boland)SEM Film Project&nbsp;(Kacper Bogalecki – Saint Brendan’s College, Killarney) Panel Discussion:&nbsp;Michael Keane&nbsp;(Covid Eire),&nbsp;Kacper Bogalecki&nbsp;(SEM Film Project) and&nbsp;Amy &amp; Rebecca Moore&nbsp;(Conversation Covid) will discuss their work in a panel moderated by programmer&nbsp;Max Le Cain.

The New Normal: Open Call Programme 1

Many things have changed since all this began. Our everyday life is much different. We're getting used to this and this everyday life seems normal. Do you remember the previous life?

The New Normal

Do you remember life before everything changed?

A young Irish person who contracted COVID-19 takes a train ride while telling the story of how his life mentally and physically unraveled.

Covid Eire

A young Irish person who contracted COVID-19 tells the story of how his life unraveled.

A man in quarantine in search for supplies ends up locked in his room.

Self Isolated

A man in quarantine in search for supplies ends up locked in his room.

During the first lockdown during April 2020 our lead character contemplates the effects of Covid-19 on her life and the future of the world.

The Year of the End

During the first lockdown our lead character contemplates the effects of COVID-19.

A filmmaker was trapped in the quarantine of Covid-19 but eventually managed to find a new direction.

Three Things That Filmmakers Should Do During Quarantine

A filmmaker trapped in quarantine manages to find a new direction.

As the human race is in a tailspin trying to adapt to the restrictions of COVID-19, Tom interviews animals within his 2km radius to see what they think of it all.

What About the Animals?

The human race is trying to adapt to COVID-19. What do the animals think of it all?

An episode from a time capsule documentary series examining the experience of COVID-19 and lockdown from an array of different perspectives.

Conversation Covid: Aisling McNiffe

An episode from a documentary series examining COVID-19 and lockdown.

Conversation Covid:Amy O'Sullivan

A girl meets her double who brings a fateful message.

Who Are You?

A girl meets her double who brings a fateful message.

A life in isolation starts to take is toll.

Static

A life in isolation starts to take is toll.

A series of fleeting moments between friends celebrating a birthday together.

Season 16

Fleeting moments between friends celebrating a birthday together.

Conversation Covid: Gary Cogan

A poetic observation of Dublin city during the Covid-19 era and its impact on our general lives as well as our use of media in the modern day.

The Shipwrecked School

A poetic observation of Dublin city during the Covid-19 era

A young adult leaves his 5km radius restrictions to go for a haircut in the woods but everything is not what it seems.

Stay at Home

A young adult goes for a haircut in the woods but everything is not what it seems.

Conversation Covid: Maeve Doyle

Conversation Covid: Sharon Curran

A Christmas Video with original lyrics written by students and a video acted by students and teachers.

Merry Covid Christmas

A Christmas Video by students and teachers.

A couple face challenges while trying to date during lockdown.

Distanced

A couple face challenges while trying to date during lockdown.

This film tackles issues prevalent in today's society and sends an important message of solidarity and community spirit in fighting this pandemic.

SEM Film Project

An important message of solidarity and community in fighting this pandemic.

Q&amp;A with filmmakers Amy &amp; Rebecca Moore, Michael Keave and Kacper Bogalecki, hosted by First Cut! Festival's Max Le Cain

The New Normal Q&A

Q&A with filmmakers Amy & Rebecca Moore, Michael Keave and Kacper Bogalecki, hosted by First Cut! Festival's Max Le Cain

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