Short films provide an essential platform for emerging filmmaking talent.
They test directors and writers,' ability to tell a compelling story on a tight budget and an even tighter running time.
Directors get valuable experience working with experienced actors and crew.
More importantly, short gilms serve as an effective calling cards for directors trying to catch the eye of film and TV producers.
Like Fis Eireann, RTE and Virgin Media in the Irish Republic, NI Screen and BBC Northern Ireland have made full use of short films as a means of developing emerging talent.
And in the run-up to Christmas, there's a chance on the BBC iPlayer to see the work of three filmmakers under NI Screen and BBC Northern Ireland's GREEN LIT initiative.
First up is Oisin Kearney's 'Helpless' starring 'Sex Education' actor George Robinson as Cillian, a former paramedic confined to a wheelchair who suspects a neighbour he has a crush on, Saoirse Monica Jackson's Grace is the victim of an abusive relationship with Eanna Hardwicke's hurler Joe.
Then there's David Moody's 'Helpless' which follows two Mid Ulster care workers' efforts to placate Lee Snodgrass's 30 year old autistic client in a bungalow after his birthday celebrations go wrong.
Finally, John Carlin's 'Mourning Glory' follows the adventures of Nigel O'Neill's Glens of Antrim widower Dermot as he gatecrashes wakes.
'Helpless' is a Northern Irish twist on 'Rear Window' with specific nods to the Alfred Hitchcock classic and two other masterpieces from the great directir 'The Birds' and 'Psycho'.
It's a charming enough tale with Robinson shining in the James Stewart role and arguably stealing the show, even if it is at times a little rough around the edges.
Written by Kearney and Michael Patrick of 'My Left Nut' fame, it also features Vanessa Ifediora as Cillian's personal care assistant Fleur and feels like a potential pilot for a BBC black comedy.
'Helpless' features 'Smother' and 'Ballywalter' star Seana Kerslake and West Belfast stand up Vittorio Angelone as the two hapless care workers Sinead and Francis, trying to manage a volatile situation.
With 'Blue Lights' star Joanne Crawford also appearing as a care service inspector, it's a bit of a hit and miss affair with some of its writer Matthew McDevitt's gags landing better than others.
And while Kerslake and Crawford are always watchable, it's Angelone who most impresses with a vivacious comic performance.
By far the strongest of the three shorts is Carlin's 'Mourning Glory' which is tightly written by Shane McNaughton, well acted and efficiently made, with cinematographer Jennifer Atcheson doing a particularly good job and making good use of the Glens of Antrim locations.
A very gentle Ulster comedy about grief and loneliness, the story unfolds with great charm thanks to O'Neill's subtle central performance.
He is complemented by Amy Huberman's excellent turn as Deirdre, a funeral director, Lennox Loughran as her quirky son Finn, Lalor Roddy as a neighbour Jimmy and Seamus O'Hara as Niall.
Watching all three, you can see why movie and television production in Northern Ireland has for over a decade been in rude health with an abundance of filmmaking talent.
While Kearney, Patrick, Moody and McDevitt give a good account of themselves, this reviewer will be keeping an eye, in particular, on McNaughton, Carlin and Atcheson to see if they can build on the exciting promise in their short film.
('Helpless,' 'Rewarding' and 'Mourning Glory' were broadcast on BBC1 Northern Ireland on November 26, 2025 and was made available for streaming on the BBC iPlayer on the same date)
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