Set in The Burren in County Clare, Over the Moon tells the story of a young trans man who confronts his childhood while on a journey to see the stars. The movie premiered on February 21 at the Dublin International Film Festival (DIFF) at the Light House Cinema.

The film shows Jay, played by Jackson Lennon, as he returns to his home. Other cast members include Venus Patel as Ruby, Ann Marie Horan as Peggy, Minnie Buss as Queen Minnie and more.

 

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When discussing the flick with GCN, writer Kai Donohoe said that he was certain about working on the film when approached by Billy and Rory, and that other trans people in Ireland may struggle with being accepted within their families in Ireland.

“I have also experienced a big loss in my personal life and was also an Irish dancer growing up, so there were just so many elements that mirrored my life that I wanted to explore and tell in this beautiful story that Rory and Billy had already started telling,” Donohoe told GCN.

Billy Buckley, who produced the film, touched on how important having a queer cast is in productions like this, as it gives these actors a place to show their talent, while also avoiding implementing any harmful stereotypes that have been played out before.

Buckey said: “During the casting process, we knew there had to be authenticity with the actors so that they could access the characters with love and understanding. To have a film made for and by queer folk is such a gift and we are so grateful to have had such a stellar cast.”

Donohoe additionally discussed the importance of queer individuals and stories becoming mainstream, and also wanting this film to be relatable for everyone to watch.

“I didn’t want this story to feel like a cis person couldn’t watch it and relate to it, I wanted someone who was cisgender to see someone and go ‘Oh yeah I moved away from home for college and miss how it was when I was a child’ to think ‘I felt this way when my grandparent or parent passed away’. It is so important to show trans people are people.

“All we want is to live, to be seen and to be respected. I felt so strongly about this story and wished it could have been a longer film as I really wanted to highlight how even something as ‘small’ as not getting someone’s name or pronouns right can drive them away.”

When talking about the actual making of the film, Rory Fitzpatrick, the director and one of the writers, highlighted the support that the National Talent Academies gave to the team.

“As a director, I was lucky enough to work with Patricia Kelly of Mná Mná Films who, over the course of the year, taught me about the process of working as a narrative director and gave valuable insights into resources available for up and coming directors. The scheme also provided a script workshop, hosted by script editor Molly O’Driscoll, who dove into the details of our scripts and provided us with ideas and notes as well as deepened our understanding of what makes a great script.”

The team also had the chance to attend a two-day directing masterclass run by Cathy Brady, and received support from Eibh Collins, Mags O’Donoghue, and the talent development executive, “who arranged the premiere screening of the National Talent Academies First Credit Scheme and Short Film Fund at Dublin International Film Festival”.

The crew gave special thanks to everyone at DIFF for the premiere, and said they “got to speak with some queer and trans folk who genuinely felt seen by Jay’s childhood memories and experience leaving Ireland, which makes all of the hard work worth it.”

The project is still at the early stages of its revolutionary journey, as the Over the Moon crew wants to bring the film as far and wide as they can.

For all the latest updates on future screenings, follow @overthemoonfilm on Instagram