Paul Mescal Joins Irish Short 'Mary Is Missing' as Executive Producer
Mescal boards the psychological thriller from director Aisling Byrne and producer Killian Coyle, made in his hometown of Maynooth.
Paul Mescal has joined the short film "Mary Is Missing" as an executive producer, according to Variety. The Irish psychological thriller is directed by Aisling Byrne and produced by Killian Coyle for Run of the Mill and Arcade Film.
The film was created through a collaborative writers' room with learning-disabled artists and was made in Maynooth, where Mescal grew up. The story was developed through a 12-week writers' room hosted by Run of the Mill.
The ensemble cast includes Mark Smith, Derek McSweeney, Eoghan Ashe, Ella-Jane Moore, Jackie O'Hagan, John Egan, Keith Foley, Maurice Coll, Neil Coffey, Teresa Flood, Wesley Fairbrother, Lucy Smith and Conor Begley.
Lloyd Cooney plays Garda Foley, alongside care workers Lauren Larkin and Craig Connolly, with Danny O'Connor, Clare Monnelly and Kamilla Fenger also featuring. Thirteen of the 19 cast members are artists with intellectual disabilities.
Third Oscar-qualifying short for Byrne and Coyle
For Byrne and Coyle, "Mary Is Missing" marks their third Oscar-qualifying short as a filmmaking team. They previously made "Headspace," which won the Grand Prix Irish Short at the Cork International Film Festival and became Ireland's short film candidate for the 2023 European Film Awards, and "Turnaround," which won qualifying awards at both Galway Film Fleadh and Foyle Film Festival, was nominated for an IFTA and was later acquired by Disney+.
Byrne's short "Misread" won Best Irish Short at Catalyst International Film Festival. Byrne, Coyle and Arcade Film are currently developing her debut feature, which is among the final 10 projects selected for Screen Ireland's Perspectives scheme. Mescal is set to play Paul McCartney in The Beatles films.
Quick answers
Who directs 'Mary Is Missing'?
Aisling Byrne directs, with Killian Coyle producing for Run of the Mill and Arcade Film.
Where was 'Mary Is Missing' filmed?
The short was made in Maynooth, where Paul Mescal grew up.
What is Paul Mescal's role on 'Mary Is Missing'?
He has joined the film as an executive producer.