Kildare County Council’s Arts Service announces recipient of top film commission

Kildare County Council Arts Service has announced that Frame It Productions has been awarded the Short Grass Film Commission Award 2025.

This €14,000 award aims to support the production of a short film in County Kildare in 2025/2026. 

Written and directed by Margaret Kane-Rowe and produced by Frame It Productions, ‘Holly’ is a short comedy/drama set in 1985. It follows the story of 12-year-old Claire and her relationship with her loving father as she finds her way and her confidence growing into adolescence. 

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Margaret Kane-Rowe is an award-winning Writer and Director based in County Kildare, who has been recognised both nationally and internationally for her short films and scriptwriting, including ‘Duck Egg Blue’ (2019) and ‘Shadow Fable’ (2023).

Margaret and Frame It Productions have previously collaborated on the short film ‘MASK,’ which was selected for the Irish Film Festival London and the Chicago Irish Film Festival 2023 and was awarded Best International Short at Focus Wales Film Festival. 

Commenting on the award, Margaret Kane-Rowe, Writer and Director sai: “I am delighted to have received the Short Grass Film Commission alongside my longtime collaborators Frame It Productions and Richard Kearney. Firstly, I get to film in my home county and showcase the brilliant locations, talented crew and cast we have in Kildare.

“Secondly, my filmmaking journey began with a filmmaking initiative created by Kildare County Council over ten years ago, so this is full circle. And lastly, I get to work on a project close to my heart. Thanks so much to Elaine, Laura and the all the team at Kildare Arts Department for making this exciting project possible.”

Frame It Productions have been writing, directing, and producing film projects as well as documentaries and music videos since 2007. They have produced award winning short and feature length films such as ‘Burglars’ directed by Philip Lewis which premiered at the Kerry Film Festival and ‘Dannyboy’ (2020), ‘All About Eva’ (2020), ‘An Irish Exorcism’ (2023) and ‘The O’Briens’ (2013).

Announcing the recipients of the Short Grass Film Commission Award 2025, Eláine Donnelly, Acting Arts Officer, Kildare County Council said: “We are delighted to announce Margaret and Frame It Productions as the recipients of this year’s award. The calibre of their proposal, the heart-felt family story and the genuine collaborative approach of their creative team is hugely impressive.

“We are pleased to support Margaret at this pivotal point in her professional career, and through this award are keen to support, promote and advocate for film production in our great county.” 

‘Holly’ will be filmed on location in County Kildare in autumn 2025.