Still Voices Short Film Festival

Spread The Wings

Sisters Maggie and Nora are from the Irish Traveller community - an indigenous nomadic ethnic minority group. Although forced off the road in the 1980s with the introduction of anti-trespass legislation, Maggie and Nora still travel back to Connemara (West Galway, Ireland) every summer to rekindle their connection with the land. With their caravans pulled up on the side of the road they recall a childhood spent in the area, lamenting the loss of loved ones, a close-knit community and the travelling way of life. However, their culture endures in nature and ritual; and the wings of their grand-nephew Connie.

Director Bio

Alice McDowell is a freelance documentary filmmaker working both locally and internationally on the subject of minority rights. Intertwining observation, collaboration and storytelling, Alice has created films with different cultural and community groups, including Mother & Baby home survivors, Muslim feminists, LGBTI activists, asylum seekers and the Traveller community. Alice is originally from Australia and now lives and works in Galway.