About this submission

Desperate for connection, a young gay man seeks solace in an online hookup with a strange older figure - only for the encounter to quickly descend into darkness.

This is a story about loneliness and connection, exploring how one individual navigates shame, desire and self-acceptance. I was heavily inspired by my own experiences of growing up gay in rural Ireland, and I created this to encourage us to examine the roots of isolation and self-destructive behaviours. Cain is someone who wants to be loved, but isn’t sure how to open himself up - I believe the emotional core is universal to everyone everywhere. I believe it’s important to see more intimacy and queerness on screen, especially in Irish cinema, and challenge the shame we place on ourselves.

Oisin McKeogh

Creator

Oisín McKeogh is a writer/director based in Ireland. A directing major at the National Film School in Ireland, Oisín was awarded “Screen Director’s Guild of Ireland Director of the Year” award. He recently received funding from the ENGINE film scheme for his short film “Call Me Anon”, which has just completed post-production. He was selected for Screen Ireland’s Spotlight scheme, their flagship writing talent development programme. His TV series “Big Super Mega Genius” is now in development. Oisín’s short film “Tough Love” was selected for Oscar and BAFTA qualifying film festivals, from Nashville to Foyle to NFFTY, and screened in competition at CamerImage 2025. It was nominated for “Best Irish Short Film” at the prestigious Kinsale Shark Awards 2025, and received a nomination at the Emerging Directors Awards. Other shorts of his have screened at various international festivals across Ireland, the UK, Europe and America.