Film Production Company, Small Fish, Scoops Top Prize at Student Accelerator Programme
The main objective of the Accelerator is to provide students with the confidence and tools to launch and grow their projects. All students pitched for prize money on the last day of the Student Accelerator programme (July 5th) in front of an expert judging panel. This is the first year for IADT to launch this programme which is funded by the Higher Education Authority (HEA).
Small Fish, the overall winner, is a production company dedicated to telling visually striking and thought-provoking stories from the fringes of Irish society, capturing the essence of Irish culture and heritage. Small Fish, founded by IADT students, Luke O’Shaughnessy and Aillil Martin, was one of 12 student start-ups that took part in this year’s IADT Student Accelerator programme 2023.
L-R: Denise Greene, Oisin McKeogh, Dr. Rosalind Beere (Furthr), Cathy Holahan (Enterprise Ireland), Aoife Harrington (LEO), Kieron Branagan (Déjà Partners), Colm Delaney, Oisin Heffernan, Rachel Gallagher (Enterprise & Innovation Manager), Keita Propocenko.
Middle Row from Left to Right: Raomal Perera (Lean Disruptor), Natasha Cloran, Orla Engstfeld, Luke O’Shaughnessy, Katherine Michael, Jack Wells, Emma Leahy (Vice President of Research, Development and Innovation).
Front Row: From Left to Right: Grace Brennan, Alannah McQuaid, Eimear Young,Sarah Healy, Caitlin Hafer (What the Hack), Reuben Harvey, Roisin Kelly.
Runner up was Pencil Hub, Natasha Cloran, Denise Green and Sarah Healy, whose venture seeks to address the lack of essential learning tools for under-privileged children. Third prize went to Roisin Kelly and Eimear Young whose venture, Midnight Mass, addresses the lack of opportunities for animation artists outside mainstream animation studios in Ireland.
Emma Leahy, Vice President of Research, Development & Innovation at IADT “The IADT Accelerator programme serves as a valuable platform for our students to nurture their idea and craft compelling narratives for their new ventures. In today’s fast paced commercial landscape, possessing agility and innovation has become more crucial than ever for our students to thrive and achieve success.”
For details on upcoming Student Accelerator Programme contact: studentaccelerator@mediacube.ie.