Young film maker to make his debut screening

A BALTINGLASS film The Fuel of Youth will have its debut screening on Monday 2 February in the Powerscourt Film Festival. John Hughes, a talented young filmmaker and photographer from Baltinglass, wrote and directed the film about how young adults cope with mental health issues after a tragic incident.

The film is being screened at The Powerscourt Edit, a special three-day screening event as part of For the Love of Craft. Taking place in the Garden Room of the Powerscourt Estate over St Brigid’s weekend, this curated selection of short films, all made in Wicklow or made by Wicklow directors will welcome the public to view the films.

John's local community in Baltinglass featured heavily in the cast and production crew. Sean Costello plays Alan, a gentle and insecure guy who yearns for acceptance and connection. Vibrant yet guilt ridden Nena, played by Marta Russell, embarks on a quest for redemption and self-discovery as she battles with her inner demons, while bereaved Sean, played by Rory Kerins, struggles to conquer his depression. Local amateur actress, Pauline Hayes also has a prominent role.

The production was funded by a small seed funding grant from Creative Places Baltinglass in 2023. Apart from two small scenes, the film was shot around Baltinglass in spring 2023, making it a celebration of the local landscape. John and his team originally planned to make a short film, but it evolved into a feature-length project.

John started studying filmmaking in 2018 at the age of 16 while he was still in secondary school. In 2022, he completed the Film & TV Production Training Programme at the Carlow Institute of Further Education.