Grainne Humphreys had a granny who was an advocate of television and film and encouraged her granddaughter to watch classic films. She was obsessed with crime and courtroom dramas

Grainne wanted to be a film critic and got a scholarship to study in Manchester but went to UCD to study art. She joined a film society where she met her tribe. She has been working in film since 1994.

Working in a venue she loved the connection to an audience.

Irish cinema history was dominated by the UK and USA productions, but it is now a more organic industry. The opening scene of Saving Private Ryan and Brave Heart were filmed in Ireland continuing to raise the bar.

The A list actors in Ireland is huge but they maintain their connection with Ireland and the communities that they represent.

Grainne’s left collage with a master’s in film study but her real journey commenced by volunteering at festivals and applying for jobs across the sector her first role was a children’s film festival. Her continued work guided her along a path and she and then joined the Irish Film Institute. In 2008 Grainne joined Dublin International Film Festival.

The festival is a cultural and community event and In 2025 the festival will show over 85 productions Including the brilliant “Mind Your Head”. Mind Your Head is a documentary about traveller mental health and feature James Quinn McDonah, John Connors and John Fury and it covers mental health in the traveller community and the fact that you are 7 times more likely to die by suicide than other sections of society.

#donalgleeson #killianmurphy #diff #starwars #sophieschoice #johnconnors #travellers #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawarenes #film #documentary #volunteer #tickets #festival #dublin

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Elly Griffiths is the pen name of Dominica De Rosa, an accomplished author whose literary journey is marked by passion, resilience, and an indomitable spirit. As a proud member of the Society of Authors, she has recently taken a stand against Meta/Facebook, rallying against significant breaches of copyright. Alarmingly, the platform has reportedly appropriated 93 of Elly's works, pilfering the text without her consent or any form of compensation. This ongoing battle for artistic integrity is encapsulated in her campaign, aptly titled “Do The Right Thing.” Elly's determination to protect her creations resonates deeply with fellow writers and readers alike, reminding us of the value of original work in a digital world.

Born to an Italian father and a British mother, Dominica De Rosa found her voice early on, penning her first book at the tender age of 11. This initial work, intriguingly titled “The Hair of The Dog,” was a reflection of her youthful naivety—an expression of creativity that would soon blossom into a burgeoning career. While at school, she was captivated by the crime-fighting duo Starsky & Hutch, creating stories that imbued a sense of adventure and justice. However, it wasn’t until she embraced her pen name, Elly Griffiths, that her literary career truly took flight. With the publication of her debut novel “The Italian Quarter” https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1380279.The_Italian_Quarter ., she began to carve a niche for herself in the literary landscape.

Her journey, though, was not without its hurdles. Elly grappled with self-doubt, often hesitating to label herself as a writer despite her impressive credentials. She had studied English at university, served as an editor at HarperCollins, and climbed the ranks to become a publishing director for children’s fiction. Yet, it took six publications before she felt confident enough to embrace the title of author. Her agent, Rebecca Carter, played a pivotal role in this transformation, championing Elly’s talents and helping to navigate the complexities of the publishing world https://www.rebeccacarterliterary.com/.

Perhaps one of Elly's most beloved creations is the series featuring Ruth Galloway, a forensic archaeologist whose intriguing adventures have captivated readers across the globe. To date, there are 15 novels in this series, each drawing inspiration from Elly's personal life, particularly her husband Andy, whose background as an archaeologist adds depth and authenticity to the narratives. Elly's penchant for weaving personal anecdotes into her storytelling extends to her Brighton Mysteries, inspired by her grandfather's life as a comedian, illustrating how the threads of her family history enrich her work.

Elly has cultivated a disciplined writing routine, branding herself as a "Thousand Words a Day" author. This commitment to her craft is a testament to her focus and fluid approach. Her hard work has not gone unnoticed; her first crime writing accolade was the prestigious Dagger Award, followed by the Edgar Allan Poe Award for the best crime novel in the USA—an achievement that fills her with pride, even though she was unable to attend the ceremony due to the pandemic.

Readers can discover Elly's extensive body of work in bookstores and online platforms, where her stories await to whisk them away on thrilling adventures. Each book is a window into her imagination, a blend of personal history, and the rich tapestry of human experiences. Whether you're a longtime fan or new to her world, Elly Griffiths invites you to delve into her narratives and share in the journey of her characters.

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Simon began his life in blogging about 10 years ago when he launched a fake news website called Southend News Network. This unconventional venture was born out of a desire to entertain while simultaneously critiquing the absurdity of modern media. With a clever mix of satire and social commentary, Simon got people motivated, and to his astonishment, celebrities began mentioning the site. One standout moment was when Katie Hopkins, a prominent media figure known for her controversial views, announced that the M25 would be closed for a running race—a headline that quickly went viral. Another memorable incident involved a whimsical story about a child in a cow onesie being removed from a vegan children’s party. These absurd tales, all fake news crafted for humour, captured the public's imagination and highlighted the fine line between reality and satire in the digital age.

Though he never intended to be malicious, as time passed, the satirical sites began to diminish, caught in the crossfire of an evolving media landscape that was increasingly wary of satire. Simon found himself in a unique position. While his peers sought to grow their influence on multiple platforms, he settled into a rhythm with Facebook, using it to carry out his day-to-day social media work. He has amassed an impressive 279k followers on his Facebook page, “Man Behaving Dadly,” where he shares relatable parenting anecdotes, humorous observations, and the occasional cheeky meme. Simon states that social media companies tweak their algorithms to ensure that there is a spend by contributors, a reality that many creators face as they navigate the often-unforgiving landscape of online engagement.

Simon’s journey took an unexpected turn when he became involved in a campaign for Essex County Council. As a contracted social media strategist, he was tasked with driving viewers to the ECC social media platforms. His role was to transform the ever-changing messages from central government into digestible memes and posts for the public. This creative approach garnered attention, but it also labeled him as a prankster by the press. Anecdotes of Simon brainstorming with his team, bouncing ideas off each other over coffee, and laughing at the absurdity of their tasks often surface in conversations with friends. The thrill of taking complex governmental messages and distilling them into something both entertaining and informative was a challenge he relished.

Simon had the opportunity to collaborate with the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), but this was dismissed by Essex County Council on the basis that it had already been subject to scrutiny. This dismissal left Simon pondering the complexities of local politics and the often-elusive nature of recognition.

Cllr Aidan McGuran, a member of the Labour party, and Cllr Mackrory have been scathing of Simon's work, yet, ironically, they frequently utilize his creations in their day-to-day operations. This duplicity highlights the often contradictory nature of political relationships, where those who criticize can also be reliant on the very creativity they disparage.

In 2022, Simon was contacted by Meta (Facebook) and asked to attend a meeting at their HQ in King's Cross. There, he was given the unique opportunity to present his work to none other than King Charles. The experience was surreal, a moment that Simon had only dreamed of as a child watching television from his living room couch. Despite this recognition, Simon has found himself in a digital battleground, facing the vitriolic behaviour of individuals who hide behind fake accounts. These anonymous attackers hurl insults and misinformation, yet Simon remains steadfast, choosing to focus on the positive connections he has fostered within his community.

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