A YOUNG Harrow film-maker has become a rising star with his short animation about intergalactic love.
Michael O’Donoghue has been shortlisted for the Virgin Media Shorts competition with his two co-directors, for their film InaniMate.
The 23-year-old former Salvatorian College student, who made the film for his final year university project, said: “It has taken us seven months to make a two-minute long film, and I have never worked so hard.
“At the end I wasn't getting more than five hours sleep. We only entered as it was a platform for people to see our work and never thought we would be shortlisted.”
The film, which tells the story of a nameless alien who searches the galaxy for love, will be shown in more than 200 cinemas.
The competition will be judged by legendary actor John Hurt, director of the Bourne films Paul Greengrass and a host of other film industry big names.
Mr O’Donoghue, and co-directors Soulla Josephides and Yinghui Tan could win £30,000 if they beat the other 11 finalists.
Though the animator believes their chances are slim because live action films are usually preferred, he added: “You never know,
because everyone loves Pixar and ours is quite similar. We are the only 3D animation on the list, so in a way we have already proved we were best at that.”
Mr O’Donoghue, of Chandos Road, finished a 3D digital animation course at the University of Hertfordshire in June and is now working for The Mill post-production company.
The film-makers will find out whether they have been successful on November 10.
To watch InaniMate and cast your vote for the Harrow animator, visit www.virginmediashorts.co.uk
