Biography
Aoife O'Kelly is an Irish writer/director, originally from Limerick and now based in London.
Having studied English literature and Psychology at UCC, Aoife went on to complete her MA in Directing Fiction at Goldsmith's University, London. Her graduation short film Lula, travelled the festival circuit including London Short Film Festival, Galway Film Fleadh and Newport Beach Film Festival, gaining a series of awards and nominations, including a nomination for Best Student Short Film at London Short Film Festival.
She made her first feature film, Walking with Shadows in collaboration with The Initiative for Equal Rights in Lagos, Nigeria. The film premiered at the BFI London Film Festival 2019 and was nominated for outstanding first feature at the Frameline San Francisco International LGBTQ Film Festival 2021.
She returned to shorts and her love of comedy in 2022 to make Panic, which won Best International Director and was nominated for Best Comedy Film at the Portland Film Festival and won Best Budget Comedy at Dublin International Comedy Film festival amongst others.
Aoife is currently developing her second feature screenplay with the support of a Screen Ireland Development fund.
Schemes Aoife has been selected for include: X-pollinator Scheme 2019, a Cross-Disciplinary Professional Development Initiative for Irish Female Talent.
Screen Ireland Mentorship Scheme 2022 with Wildfire director Cathy Brady
Stowe Story Labs Connemara Writer's Retreat 2023, developing her second feature, a dark comedy, along with peers and established industry professionals.
Became a BAFTA connect member in 2023.
Alongside writing and directing fiction, Aoife also Edit Produces in unscripted television and enjoys honing her narrative skills in the documentary format.
