Time tickers on, the yolkish yellow sun sinks behind the double-bent buildings in Cork’s city centre. People are dancing, whip pan to someone leaning in to whisper in someone else’s ear. Is there vibes? We think there might be vibes… SCENE 2: COFFEESHOP. INT. DAY. Blustery February afternoon. A German, a Frenchwoman and a Waterfordian walk into a coffee shop. They are all late – because they’re all gay Europeans and that’s how stereotypes work. Each has a laptop and a list of things to discuss. The conversation bubbles, accented in laughter and excitement for what is to come. After the success of PRISMA 2024, Benni decided he needed more support when it came to organising the festival. Enter Justine Lepage (she/ her), event-organiser extraordinaire, artist, general woman-in-bright-clothing- about-town, and pigeon enthusiast – and Alana Daly Mulligan , the multi- hyphenated serial nixer, and occasional interdisciplinary creative doer. Now, the Power Rangers were assembled, and ready to look through the PRISMA prism and see what the light looked like through the other side. The one day festival was fleshed out to a three- day queer filmmaking extravaganza including a glam gala (ooh la la), screenings in The Arc Cinema, panel discussions, workshops, parties each night, and the hottest queers Cork has to offer buying tickets (that’s you of course). Upon being asked to help organise the festival, Lepage inserted her own unique joie-de-vivre to the PRISMA blend. JUSTINE: What an exciting and special project, it’s just such a lovely platform for the community. When I was 14 and heard about the short and then Brazilian feature “The Way He Looks” and completely fell in love with international independent cinema and the band Belle and Sebastian, or when I saw the Rocky Horror Picture Show for the first time when I was 20 and it really called to my fabulous theatre kid heart.
voice]. You know it will be a weekend to remember, a storytelling event for Cork, unlike what’s ever been seen before. Undoubtedly the team has high hopes for the festival. With a jam-packed programme including films from over twenty countries, a sizeable screening for Irish queer shorts, as well as Cork Queer Shorts, it’s unlikely you’ll be bored at the end of August. PRISMA is a place to experience queer film in a new way, to share those experiences with new people, to dance, to chat, to play across eight venues in Cork City. It’s the end-of-summer-party you never knew you needed. Don’t believe us? We are hosting a screener in collaboration with our friends at Cork Pride on Tuesday 29th of July where you can see some of the PRISMA magic for yourselves. FADE TO RAINBOW. THIS IS NOT THE END, IT’S JUST THE BEGINNING.
SCENE 3: THE QUAD, UCC. EXT. DAY.
A gaggle of young filmmakers are setting up for the first take of their short film. Camera cuts between the 1AD calling for quiet on set, the sound speeding, the DP in deep concentration The young director adjusts their beret (because of course they’re wearing one), looks through their micro viewfinder, raising their hand in the air. DIRECTOR: ACTION! One of the major developments for the festival is the birth of the 15-19s programme, Gemstones, led by Daly Mulligan. The project will work with 15 young people – queer, allies and anyone in between, – to provide them with high-quality film education from some of the leading filmmakers in the industry, showing them how to make films and why telling their authentic stories is important. In the last few years, Cork city has teemed with filmmaking talent, especially in the younger population. PRISMA Gemstones wants to give upcoming storytellers a leg up on the film ladder and point them in the direction of how to fulfil their filmmaking aspirations. They will make two shorts over the course of the week that will be shown at the final showcase during the festival itself. It’s a very exciting development done in collaboration with Creative Ireland and Cork City Council, with additional support from University College Cork. ALANA: Being part of PRISMA and particularly Gemstones feels important, and healing to my own inner child who was calling out for stories that echoed my experience, and empowered me to put my own dreams for what it is to be queer into creative action. SCENE 4: THE EVERYMAN, 29th AUGUST 2025, INT, EVENING. You, reader, are taking your seats. It’s time. The PRISMA Opening Gala has arrived! The tension in the air is palpable [read this again in a Bane
By Fionn Sheehan (he/him)
to a woman since the moment I was born. When I was younger, I read stories about men and women falling in love. I watched shows that only ever showcased nuclear families. When I’d become friends with a girl, my family would be pairing us together. It was hard at first once I realised who I was. I was called a deviant, a queer, and an onslaught of slurs from my peers. It was horrible. Until it wasn’t. I eventually found my people and left behind those who were desperate to keep me in society’s clutches. As much as people hate to think about it, society is rarely kind and often cruel to those that deny its norms. Marsha P. Johnson was found dead after a pride protest, Harvey Milk was assassinated, many of the suffragettes were arrested and jailed. Those who find themselves separated from the crowd usually know its savagery. While I’m nowhere near the level of these legends, Society would still deem me worthy of the same sort of maltreatment. I’ll never forget the dread, as I noticed wicked glances going my way. The panic, as I was being surrounded by a dozen teenagers. I’ll never forget the shame, as I was getting called slur after slur. I’ll never forget the fear, as cold metal was being pressed against my skull. I’ll never forget these things because now, they drive me. These horrible people were trying to make me scared to be who I am, they totally and utterly failed. It’s that day, when I was just 16 years old, when I realised how hideous the world could be. It’s that day that drives me to change it. Falling in love with a man was the best rule I’ve ever broken. And this is just where it started. I’ll always remember my first pride parade. The cheers from the crowds as we marched the streets. Rainbow paraphernalia strewn across the city centre. That feeling of belonging which I’ve never felt before
walking down these same streets that I’ve encountered so much hassle because of who I am. It was the first time I’ve seen so many people who’d normally be apart from the crowd, be the crowd. I’ll never forget this day so long as I live. This was the first time in my life I didn’t feel like a rule breaker for simply existing. That sense of community was what made me realise for the first time, I shouldn’t consider myself to be a nonconformist, just because society deems me as one. Once I finish my Leaving Cert, I’m going to volunteer at a youth group for LGBTQ+ young people. It’s something I’ve been thinking about for a while and only wished I had something like it growing up. I want to help create a place where there are no rule breakers, only members of a community who are all unique in their own ways. My mission is to make the world feel like a better place for queer youth. For us not to be considered rule breakers for simply living without shame or secrecy. I don’t want another soul to be punished for not conforming to society, or to even be considered apart from society at all. I never want what happened to me on that Saturday in December, or what happened to every queer person before me whose known hardships ever happen to another individual growing up, queer or not. Yes, I may be considered a rule breaker, but should I be? I’m just living as my true self, a little different from society’s expectations, is that rebellion? No, it’s just who I am and shouldn’t be viewed as an act of defiance. Everyone should have the right to exist without fear of judgment or being cast aside. Society may try to categorise those of us who stand out for simply existing as rule breakers. I want to live in a world where being different isn’t something that breaks the rules of society, but just another part of life.
This personal essay was originally written as a Leaving Cert essay exploring the topic of being a rule breaker or different from the crowd, written by sixth year student Fionn Sheehan, age 17. For as long as society existed, there’s been those who haven’t fit into it. This couldn’t be further from a bad thing. If it weren’t for the people who stood up against society, the world would be a very different place. The Suffragettes fought tooth and nail for gender equality. If it weren’t for them, a women’s only place would be below that of a man. According to many accounts it was Marsha P. Johnson who threw the first brick at the Stonewall riots. If it weren’t for her, the queer community would be in a much more desperate place than in the present day. Although not every person who doesn’t conform to society is the spark that starts a revolution. Some of us break society norms by simply existing. Rule breakers have always been a part of positive change in society, big and small. Society would consider me to be one of these people, even if I wouldn’t. In my opinion, not conforming to society can be as big as starting an uprising to as little as simply existing. While I wouldn’t consider myself to be an activist on the level of Harvey Milk, I’d consider myself fairly vocal in relation to gay rights. Even at this point in time, there’s still a stigma around queer people. Society has been telling me I’d have to fall in love and get married
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