About this submission

After accidentally killing one of her clients, a recently divorced housewife turned dominatrix must figure out what to do next - all while dealing with her manipulative teenage son.

This story was essentially inspired by mother, a single parent navigating life after divorce - except she isn't a dominatrix. After turbulent teenage years, we all have to ask ourselves - were we horrible to our mothers? "Tough Love" is a story I wanted to tell to explore difficult parental-child relationships, regaining control of your life, and motherhood, all through the form of a dark comedy.

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.