Two series of these short films featuring children between the ages of 5 and 9 from all around Ireland living out their own stories have now been commissioned and completed. Amazingly both series which were produced for TG4 were nominated for an Irish Film Television Academy Award for two years running in the best Children’s / Young People’s category. The first series was entitled ‘Trí Shúile an Chait’, translated as “through the eyes of the cat”, which is based on the Irish proverb, “Briseann an dúchas trí shúile an chait” – the nature breaks through the eyes of the cat, meaning that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree! The title of the second series was a little less complex, ‘Cúla Cairde’, (the friends of Cúla, TG4’s children’s television slot).
A total of 90 children have appeared on screen and it is hoped to revisit at least some of them in years to come to repeat the experience with perhaps a more grown up story this time. Little Ger Feehan from Newry was one of the stars from the first series whose dream to win an All Ireland for Armagh senior GAA team was selected for an IFTA nomination, and Aoibhinn Ní Mháirtín‘s performance as the party girl who cannot find the proper dress, netted an IFTA nomination for the second series.
The experience making both series has been one of the most enjoyable, and Tobar is eager to make more television programmes with children for children.