About

Claire Frances Byrne, is an Irish writer and director. Her award winning short films include SISTER THIS supported by Screen Ireland, which emerged as a standout, earning a nomination for a 2020 IFTA and premiering at the prestigious Dublin International Film Festival. In the same year Claire was awarded the DIFF Discovery Award. 

Claire's debut feature film, READY OR NOT commenced production during the summer of 2023. Supported by Screen Ireland, Bankside, RTE and Article1, written by Lynn Ruane and spearheaded by producer Ruth Coady for Gaze Pictures, the film is currently in post production. 

Claire serves as writer and director on her next project, DAUGHTERHOOD, produced by Keeper Pictures. This venture underscores Claire's commitment to telling compelling female narratives from a tender and intimate perspective.

Having worked as an editor and served as director of a production company since 2016, Claire brings a multifaceted skill set to her projects. Furthermore, Claire's dedication to the craft has earned her membership in BAFTA Connect since 2023.

Agent: Hugo Young of Independent Talent Group Ltd

Awards

Nominated for Hello? at the 2023 Emerging Director Awards

Best Film for Hello? at the WFT Ireland Short Film Showcase 2022

Best directing, writing and lead performance for Hello? at the Richard Harris Film Festival 2022

Nominated for best editing and best screenplay For Hello? at the Fastnet Film Festival 2022

Best Short Film For Ascending Grace at the London Irish Film Festival 2021

Best Irish Short Film For Sister This at the Fastnet Film Festival 2021

Best Director of an Irish short film for Sister This at the Kinsale Shark Awards 2021

Best Irish Short Film For Sister This at the Kinsale Shark Awards 2021

Aerlingus Discovery Award Winner at the 2020 Dublin International Film Festival.

Nomination for best short film for Sister This at the Irish Film and Television Awards 2020

Latest News

• Read WFT Ireland’s latest ‘Member in Focus’ interview with Claire here.

• Claire was selected to take part in the 2024 Puttnam Scholars programme of masterclasses from Lord David Puttnam as well as special guests including Jonathan Glazer and Paul Laverty. Read more here.

• Screen Ireland launches their production slate for 2024 which includes Claire’s directorial debut; Ready or Not, read more here and here.

• In July of 2023 Claire went into production with Ready or Not, her debut feature film. Ready or Not is a Gaze Pictures production produced by ruth Coady and written by Lynn Ruane.

• Since 2023 Claire is a member of BAFTA Connect.

• In early 2023 Claire was signed as a new client of Hugo Young with Independent Talent.

• Claire was selected as one of 12 directors to take part in CREATOR, a new residential lab ran by X-Pollinator and led by mentor Aisling Walsh, read more here.

• Claire has been selected as a recipient of the National Talent Academy’s director’s lab, read more here.

• Hello? won best film at the WFT short film showcase in December 2022, read more here.

• Claire’s short film Hello? was the short film to take home the most awards of the festival at the Richard Harris Film Festival in 2022 winning best writing, best direction and best lead performances. It was also nominated for best national short film and best overall short film. Read more here.

• Claire took part in Jets 2022 at the Berlinale, along with Alfonso Films co-founders Jo Halpin and Emma Wall. The team won the pitching competition with their project Duck Duck Goose.

• Claire’s latest short film Hello? was selected for Dublin International Film Festival

• Claire was selected for Screen Ireland and the Screen Director’s Guild of Ireland’s The Voice fund, a ‘Director’s Conceptual Fund’ to develop her project with writer Tracy martin; ‘Wrapped’

• In 2020 Claire was selected for Screen Skills Ireland first round of the screen mentoring scheme and was paired with director Paddy Breathnach.