Game of Thrones actor adds star power to Mayo director's short film

THE Death Notice of Eamonn McCarty, starring Game of Thrones and Intermission star Michael McElhatton, with comedian and Screen Ireland rising star Hannah Mamalis, is to receive its world premiere at the prestigious Rhode Island International Film Festival on Saturday, August 9.

Mayo's Aaron Chalke is director of The Death Notice of Eamonn McCarty, which tells the story of Eamonn, a man who has just been informed by the government that he has only one day left to live. He begins to scramble together a plan to fulfil his life’s ambitions, while trapped on the phone with Geraldine from customer care.

Speaking about his involvement, Michael McElhatton commented: “I feel it’s very important to support writers and filmmakers coming up through the ranks. As soon as I read this script, I wanted to do it.

"It’s an interesting concept getting a ‘death notice’ and I thought there was a lot of fun to be had in exploring Eamonn and this dystopian world he lives in.”

Commenting on completing the project, writer/director Aaron Chalke said: “Being able to work with world-class actors like Michael and Hannah was an incredible experience.

"Their craft brought this film to places I couldn’t have imagined, and I’m proud to share it with the world. Self-funded films are incredibly hard to make, and this one wouldn’t exist without the selfless generosity of our talented cast and crew."

The Death Notice of Eamonn McCarty is the directorial debut of Aaron Chalke, founder of creative studio Foe. The film has been selected for this year’s Rhode Island International Film Festival.

It is the only Irish live-action film selected from over 7,050 submissions from more than 110 countries.

Rhode Island International Film Festival is one of the top film festivals in the world, which has screened short films such as The Silent Child, which went on to win an Oscar at 2018’s Academy Awards.

Aaron will be attending the film festival alongside co-producer Louise McCabe, due to support from Culture Ireland.

The film was funded by Aaron’s production company Foe, run with his creative partner Shane. W. Brennan. The entire film was shot on location in Rathcoole, Co. Dublin, in January of this year.

Aaron has previously produced two award-winning short films, Shadowban and Flutter, both written and directed by Shane.