This short documentary is an intimate exploration of the older LGBTQIA+ community living in Ireland.

Interview with Director/Writer/Editor Cathy Dunne

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

Age & Opportunity in Ireland did a callout for video tenders in 2021. Producer Maggie and I responded. Initially, this was meant to be a smaller-scale video for YouTube, however, once development began and we started to talk to the older community, we were compelled to make something of a bigger scale. This would only do some justice to the amazing individuals they are and help show where we are lacking in society. In the following months, we got to know all our participants and set up interviews around the country. It felt important to hone in on the individual experience and how that would help paint a bigger picture of what is happening in Ireland.

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

You should watch this if you want to learn, grow and understand what is happening for our older LGBTQIA+ community in Ireland.

Where do all the old gays go? - Kay and Celine

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

Growing older as a LGBTQIA+ person in Ireland has universal themes, which hopefully continue to speak to audiences across the globe. Growing old can be so beautiful and at the same time scary, especially if you are not treated equally and fairly. There's a hopeful and helpful element that I hope resonates.

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?

I really wanted the participants to own their script and voice it. We had multiple chats on the phone in the lead-up to the filming to really understand what was important to them. Their stories formed the foundation for the conversations we had during filming and throughout the edit.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

The feedback has been really great in terms of opening conversations for our older LGBTQIA+ communities both in Ireland and abroad.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

I think the biggest surprise and continues to be, is how many people hang around after screenings to talk about their individual stories. It's an honour to hear experiences firsthand and see other people open up and converse about topics they rarely discuss.

Where do all the old gays go? - Dan and Clive

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

I'm excited to see this film get more exposure and continue to encourage conversations about our older LGBTQIA+ communities.

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

At this point in time, it would be great to have more exposure from journalists and film festival directors.

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?

I hope the piece continues to inspire and the participants continue to be appreciated for being so open and vulnerable on camera.

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?

Where do all the old gays go?

Would you like to add anything else?

I hope that we one day have an Ireland that really looks after our elders, and that provides LGBT+ nursing homes.

What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?

I'm currently developing a short film inspired by the Women of Honour (Ireland's response to the #militarymetoo movement) alongside Writer/Actor Alexandra Conlon. A second project I'm developing this year is a documentary that follows self-employed women through their first pregnancy and how they navigate from a career that defines them to motherhood.

Interview: May 2023

We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, POC, First Nations, scifi, supernatural, horror, world cinema. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela

Where do all the old gays go?

This short documentary is an intimate exploration of the older LGBTQIA+ community living in Ireland.

Length: 18:31

Director: Cathy Dunne

Producer: Maggie Ryan

Writer: Cathy Dunne

Key cast: Daíthí Clayton, Patricia O'Connell, Kay Ferriter, Celine Leonard, Dan Lawless, Clive Cook

Looking for: film festival directors and journalists

Instagram: @lore_films_

Website: www.lorefilms.ie

Other: Letterboxd

Made in association with: Maggie Ryan of Escape Pod Media

Funders: Age & Opportunity Ireland

Where can I watch it next and in the coming month?

Seattle International Film Festival, Saturday the 20th of May at 12.30pm in SIFF Cinema