Thomas Bennett

After a solid winter of grafting along the North Coast and Belfast, The Galley has finally finished post-production ! We're beyond proud of what we've managed to create - all of which we owe to our cast, crew and the people of the North Coast. Keep yer eyes peeled for when we launch this into the world, more details to follow… 🐡 To give you a sneak-peak, have a look at our poster, put together from the wonderful snaps of @papertreeees   - - - A @standingstonepictures  film. Directed by Thomas Bennett. Produced by Niall McCloskey (@niallmccloskey ) Executive Producer - Katie Ireland (@katie.costume ) ~ Starring ~ Bríd Brennan as Helen Seán T. Ó Meallaigh as Ciarán Brendan Gibson as Birdy  Aoife Riddell as Jackie - - -  Funded by @northernirelandscreen , @artscouncilni  & @bfinetwork

¡ New work inbound ! Gabriel’s Trumpet (2025, Hi8 Tape, 20 mins) - - - Set amidst a crumbling Belfast, a young man’s disappearance triggers a harrowing pursuit... - - - After many moons wrangling this work together, it is a joy to announce that Gabriel's Trumpet is finally getting its world premiere at BAFTA qualifying @belfastfilmfestival ! Catch it as part of the COMPETITION SHORTS on November 1st in your fave cinema (QFT) 🎺 To all the crew, cast, friends and family who made this strange feast a possibility, couldn't thank you more. Truly no better place to come watch it ~ more updates to follow... - - - A @standingstonepictures production. Written and Directed by Thomas Bennett. Produced by @niallmccloskey Associate Producer - Lauren Bateman (@dumbblondetalking ) Robin - Mercer Mcwilliam Hughes. (@mercerjammachug ) Eoin - Steven Calvert. (@calsteven ) Grace - Holly Hannaway. (@holly.hannaway ) Michael - Joseph Sharkey. (@joeshark_ey ) Kathy - Anna McAlorum. (@anna.ellen_mc ) Darren - Bekithemba Mbondiya. (@_bekithemba_ ) Deeley - Kieran Corrigan. Pram Lady - Laura Dee. (@lauradee_actor ) Featuring Daniel Gray (@rip.some.donkus ) as Peter and Miaread McInley as Joyce. 1st Assistant Director - Niall McCloskey. Director of Photography - Thomas Bennett. Costume Designer - Aeris Vermell. (@aerisfelidae ) Production Sound Mixer - John Panayotou. (@p.a.n.a.y.o.t.o.u ) Assistant Director - Matthew Branagh. (@matthew_branagh ) Gaffer (dailies) - Peter Johnston. (@petejohnstondop ) Unit Stills - Nathan Magee. (@papertreeees ) DoP (2nd Unit) - CJ Snodden (@cj__dop ) Assistant Camera (2nd Unit) - Samuel Mair (@samuelmair33 ) Standby Props / HMU assistant (2nd Unit) - Abigail G. Harkin (@geeharkin ) Unit Stills (2nd Unit) - Rachael Robinson (@rr_photos_46 ) Edited by Thomas Bennett and Niall McCloskey. Original Score by Samuel GR Morgan. (@samuelgrmorgan ) Featured Music by @lisa_clinch + @mem0ryman Post Sound Mixer - Jim McMorrow (@thatsnotwinston ) Digital Footage Colourist - Theodore Swaddling (@theodoreswaddling ) No Generative AI was used in the creation of this film. No AI was used to replace the creative or technical practices of filmmaking.

In Wake Of John Doyle (15mins, 2024) On the brink of something new, time to big up something (kinda) old. John Doyle is having its first birthday this month, and it's long, long overdue that I start shouting about it in online spheres... Co-created from start to end with partner in crime @niallmccloskey , the work was a push for something different in the short film game. Captured in Belfast + Rathlin Island in the dead of winter 2023/4 on delish Hi8 tape, @mcferranrichard at the helm, with a bunch of the best, it's been lovely to watch it bounce around Ireland and yonder this last year ! It's a slow and murky piece that was a battle to get made, but seeing it pass through @belfastfilmfestival , @dublinfilmfestival , @britishshortfilmawards , @offscreenfilmfestival and elsewhere has been a level of fun way beyond expectation. Good to document the wins here and there in these globally wretched times 🇵🇸 ---- "An excommunicated priest returns to his remote island community in a documentary, previously lost to time." --- Written + Directed + Produced + Edited by Thomas Bennett and Niall McCloskey Richard McFerran - John Doyle (@mcferranrichard ) Paul Livingstone - Father Oisin Clarke (@pauljlivingstone ) Anna McAlorum - Claire Bailey (@anna.ellen_mc ) Mathew Branagh - Mark Firth (@matthew_branagh ) DOP - Thomas Bennett First AD - Eoin Donnelly (@donnellyeoin ) Script Supervisor - Katie Goody (@katie_goody ) Gaffer - Samuel Mair (@samuelmair33 ) Spark - C.J Snodden (@cj__dop ) Production Sound Mixer/Boom Operator - John Panayotou (@p.a.n.a.y.o.t.o.u ) Standby Props - Jenny Parkhill (@jenny_parkhill96 ) Costume Designer - Katie Ireland (@katie.costume ) Unit Stills - Nathan Magee (@papertreeees )

Wicker Man territory near Gatehouse of Fleet (Scotland, 2024)

Four brief moments (Dancefloor, Cork, Unknown, Brussels - 2025/1959)

Honoured to pick up 'Highly Commended' in 'Best Live Action Short Film (Fantastical)' at @cinemagic_filmfestival in QFT the other week! All praise to the blood n bones of Gabriel's Trumpet, our cast and crew: A @standingstonepictures film. Written and Directed by Thomas Bennett Produced by Niall McCloskey Associate Producer - Lauren Bateman (@dumbblondetalking ) Robin - Mercer Mcwilliam Hughes. (@mercerjammachug ) Eoin - Steven Calvert. (@calsteven ) Grace - Holly Hannaway. (@holly.hannaway ) Michael - Joseph Sharkey. (@joeshark_ey ) Kathy - Anna McAlorum. (@anna.ellen_mc ) Darren - Bekithemba Mbondiya. (@_bekithemba_ ) Deeley - Kieran Corrigan. Pram Lady - Laura Dee. (@lauradee_actor ) Gabriel - Grace Feeney. (@grace_feeney_ ) Featuring Daniel Gray (@rip.some.donkus ) as Peter and Miaread McInley as Joyce. 1st Assistant Director - Niall McCloskey. Director of Photography - Thomas Bennett. Costume Designer - Aeris Vermell. (@aerisfelidae ) Production Sound Mixer - John Panayotou. (@p.a.n.a.y.o.t.o.u ) Assistant Director - Matthew Branagh. (@matthew_branagh ) Gaffer (dailies) - Peter Johnston. (@petejohnstondop ) Unit Stills - Nathan Magee. (@papertreeees ) DoP (2nd Unit) - CJ Snodden (@cj__dop ) Assistant Camera (2nd Unit) - Samuel Mair (@samuelmair33 ) Standby Props / HMU assistant (2nd Unit) - Abigail G. Harkin (@geeharkin ) Unit Stills (2nd Unit) - Rachael Robinson (@rr_photos_46 ) Edited by Thomas Bennett and Niall McCloskey. Original Score by Samuel GR Morgan. (@samuelgrmorgan ) Digital Footage Colourist - Theodore Swaddling (@theodoreswaddling ) Post Sound Mixer - Jim McMorrow (@thatsnotwinston ) Featuring music from Lisa Clinch and Jonah Hartly (@deadact0rs @lisa_clinch ) No AI was used to replace the creative or technical practices of filmmaking.

Now That I Look is showing at @kinoshortfilm Sunday 29th in Shoreditch, London ! Screening as part of their Open Screen Programme, Strongroom Bar, 6pm. Further deets/tickets ~ link in bio 👁 Performance by @pilotinspektorlee Sounds of @calmc.artist Dev by @on8mil @standingstonepictures

🎞️🎞️🎞️Our most recent Rough Cut event of 2026 took place in person on Tuesday February 17th at the Arts Technology Research Laboratory on Pearse Street with thanks to our partnership with Dr Sven Anderson and the School of Creative Arts at Trinity College Dublin. 🎞️🎞️🎞️ 🎬🎬🎬All of our Rough Cut events are now tied into aemi’s Film Artist Development Programme, an initiative through which we provide a group of 9 film artists with regular support over a 12 month period at the centre of which is the opportunity to share works in progress as part of these Rough Cut events. 🎬🎬🎬 📽️❤️The idea with Rough Cut events is to open up the filmmaking process for discussion and reflection in a supportive setting, to form connections around works in progress and to fold in external perspectives on a project before its shape and form is finalised.❤️📽️ 🎥These events are not open to the public; instead the audience is made up of a small group of peers who are invited to participate in conversations about the works in question. Because the works being presented and discussed are still in process, Rough Cut events are not recorded for public presentation.🎥 ⭐️Film artists Thomas Bennett, Dawn Richardson and Uma Magal all generously presented works in progress at our event on February 17th 2026 with artist and filmmaker Jenny Brady kindly leading responses to all three film projects.⭐️

🎺 OFFICIAL TRAILER 🎺 Gabriel’s Trumpet (2025, Hi8, 20 mins) - - - Set amidst a crumbling Belfast, a young man’s disappearance triggers a harrowing pursuit… - - - Thrilled to be sharing a cryptic peek at Gabriel’s Trumpet ahead of @cinemagic_filmfestival . For those who missed it; we’ll be screening on March 28th, 10am-12pm In Competition for Best Live Action Film in the Fantastical Shorts programme! Hope to see some of you there! - - - A @standingstonepictures film. Written and Directed by Thomas Bennett. (@tom.town ) Produced by Niall McCloskey. 🎺 Associate Producer - Lauren Bateman (@dumbblondetalking ) Robin - Mercer Mcwilliam Hughes. (@mercerjammachug ) Eoin - Steven Calvert. (@calsteven ) Grace - Holly Hannaway. (@holly.hannaway ) Michael - Joseph Sharkey. (@joeshark_ey ) Kathy - Anna McAlorum. (@anna.ellen_mc ) Darren - Bekithemba Mbondiya. (@_bekithemba_ ) Deeley - Kieran Corrigan. Pram Lady - Laura Dee. (@lauradee_actor ) Gabriel - Grace Feeney. (@grace_feeney_ ) Featuring Daniel Gray (@rip.some.donkus ) as Peter and Miaread McInley as Joyce. 1st Assistant Director - Niall McCloskey. 🎺 Director of Photography - Thomas Bennett. Costume Designer - Aeris Vermell. (@aerisfelidae ) Production Sound Mixer - John Panayotou. (@p.a.n.a.y.o.t.o.u ) Assistant Director - Matthew Branagh. (@matthew_branagh ) Gaffer (dailies) - Peter Johnston. (@petejohnstondop ) Unit Stills - Nathan Magee. (@papertreeees ) DoP (2nd Unit) - CJ Snodden (@cj__dop ) Assistant Camera (2nd Unit) - Samuel Mair (@samuelmair33 ) Standby Props / HMU assistant (2nd Unit) - Abigail G. Harkin (@geeharkin ) Unit Stills (2nd Unit) - Rachael Robinson (@rr_photos_46 ) Edited by Thomas Bennett and Niall McCloskey. Original Score by Samuel GR Morgan. (@samuelgrmorgan ) Digital Footage Colourist - Theodore Swaddling (@theodoreswaddling ) Post Sound Mixer - Jim McMorrow (@thatsnotwinston ) Featuring music from Herostratus and Lisa Clinch. No AI was used to replace the creative or technical practices of filmmaking. #standingstonepictures #gabrielstrumpet

Some great news to return from holidays with as Gabriel’s Trumpet has found its next selection at the Cinemagic ‘On The Pulse’ Film Festival 2026 🎺🎬. What a pleasure it is to be returning to our beloved QFT to screen this wild short once more! Gabriel’s Trumpet plays in competition for Best Irish Live Action Film (Fantastical) at QFT on Saturday 28th March 10.00am-12.00pm, hope to see some of you there! - - - A @standingstonepictures film. Written & Directed by Thomas Bennett. (@tom.town ) Produced by Niall McCloskey 🎺 Associate Producer - Lauren Bateman (@dumbblondetalking ) - - - Robin - Mercer Mcwilliam Hughes. (@mercerjammachug ) Eoin - Steven Calvert. (@calsteven ) Grace - Holly Hannaway. (@holly.hannaway ) Michael - Joseph Sharkey. (@joeshark_ey ) Kathy - Anna McAlorum. (@anna.ellen_mc ) Darren - Bekithemba Mbondiya. (@_bekithemba_ ) Deeley - Kieran Corrigan. Pram Lady - Laura Dee. (@lauradee_actor ) Featuring Daniel Gray (@rip.some.donkus ) as Peter and Miaread McInley as Joyce. - - - 1st Assistant Director - Niall McCloskey. Director of Photography - Thomas Bennett. Costume Designer - Aeris Vermell. (@aerisfelidae ) Production Sound Mixer - John Panayotou. (@p.a.n.a.y.o.t.o.u ) Assistant Director - Matthew Branagh. (@matthew_branagh ) Gaffer (dailies) - Peter Johnston. (@petejohnstondop ) Unit Stills - Nathan Magee. (@papertreeees ) DoP (2nd Unit) - CJ Snodden (@cj__dop ) Assistant Camera (2nd Unit) - Samuel Mair (@samuelmair33 ) Standby Props / HMU assistant (2nd Unit) - Abigail G. Harkin (@geeharkin ) Unit Stills (2nd Unit) - Rachael Robinson (@rr_photos_46 ) Edited by Thomas Bennett & Niall McCloskey. Original Score by Samuel GR Morgan. (@samuelgrmorgan ) Digital Footage Colourist - Theodore Swaddling (@theodoreswaddling ) Post Sound Mixer - Jim McMorrow (@thatsnotwinston ) Featuring music from Herostratus and Lisa Clinch No Generative AI was used in the creation of this film. No AI was used to replace the creative or technical practices of filmmaking.

Now That I Look is rattling over to Coventry for 'Living With Buildings X' next week. A lush programme of architecturally focused works will be showing. This one's for the building lovers. Starring @pilotinspektorlee // Score @calmc.artist Screening on January 28th at Priory Visitor Centre, Coventry. @adamsteinerauthor @ltb_showrooms @standingstonepictures @on8mil

Waters of Skibb and Lough Hyne in summer, captured on the dream machine (Hi8, 2025)