An independent short film set in the Mourne Mountains is now available to watch on streaming giant Disney+. ‘Dear Imelda’ – written by and starring Atticall native Declan Curran and directed by his cousin Árón Holden, who hails from Downpatrick – went live on the global platform on 1 January.
The film follows the story of Ciaran (Declan), whose unexpected arrival at the rural cottage belonging to his grandmother Imelda – played by Rose Henderson, who has had a distinguished career in both theatre and television, including a role in classic comedy series Father Ted – sets in motion a poignant and humorous exploration of family, connection, and the clash of generations.
Filmed over three days in Kilcoo in September 2023, Dear Imelda premiered at the Chicago Irish Film Festival the following year and subsequently featured at major festivals in Toronto, New York, and Washington DC. In November 2024, it made its Irish debut at the Oscar and BAFTA-qualifying Foyle Film Festival, where it was named runner-up in the Best Short Film category.
Last year, the heartwarming short – which is soundtracked by acclaimed Irish traditional music star Tara Howley – was picked up by Japanese streaming platform SAMANSA and took to the skies as part of Aer Lingus’ in-flight entertainment offering.
Declan said that having ‘Dear Imelda’ now showing on Disney+ is “beyond fathomable”. “When you’re sat in a little cottage in Kilcoo with nothing but your own money and a dream, an announcement like this couldn’t feel less obtainable,” he stated. “I really hope that this achievement will inspire those up-and-coming creatives in my situation to just give it everything you’ve got. You never know who is watching.”
Árón added: “This film is nothing short of a miracle. It was carved from an unshakeable desire to tell stories, made independently with very little beyond belief, persistence and a love for the craft. I grew up on films and dreams of Disney, so to now see ‘Dear Imelda’ find a home at the mecca for storytelling is something my younger self could never have imagined.”
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