We had the good fortune of connecting with Michael Antonio Keane and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Michael Antonio, why did you pursue a creative career?
In a way the profession chose me! Filmmaking was something I was always drawn towards since I was a kid and now the film industry is the place where I get to discover my true passion and devotion for what I like to do, which is to create films. I wasn’t born into a creative family who had been artists so I had to teach myself over time I made my mistakes but learned to overcome those and consistently improve my craft. With every new project, I gained new skills and met new like-minded people which overall benefited me hugely.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Through trial and error, I was able to perfect my skill as a filmmaker. I just love everything entirely about that process. I am a thrill seeker and could not see myself doing the same boring 9-5 job, it is just not who I am. No two days are the same in the and a new challenge and experience come every day.

When I was 16 just after the release of one of my first short films “Covid Eire” (2020) which went on to receive many accolades. I realised that this was something that I was passionate about. I wanted to tell stories and knew I could pursue them.

Initially when “Covid Éire” was acquired onto Amazon Prime Video and began to surpass millions of viewers, the reception and sheer amount of press and attention that it received across Ireland was overwhelming for me. Nobody really ever prepares you for being thrown into the spotlight the way I was. At times I felt it challenging to open up to such a huge audience. My voice, face and presence ended up on all of the major radio, tv and newspaper publications across the country and world. Even in high school everything changed for me but in a positive way. People saw me as an artist and not just another student.

The most important lesson I learned from this life-changing experience was to not take criticism personally. Any kind of negative press is always disheartening but the optimistic and supportive side always outweighs the people who have too much to say so that is one thing I would always tell up-and-coming filmmakers.

The support from the public was immense and while many sources claim that the film’s success is due to the timing of its release, I firmly believe it is due to the fact that so many young people could resonate with the character. He represented all of the teens across Ireland during the pandemic and it is something that we can use as a time capsule for years to come. I am so chuffed with the number of young people who reached out to me describing how much the film had moved them and how they related to it.

Now at 18, I appreciate art & cinema much. I now study Film at the Variety named “top Film school of 2020 worldwide ” – The National Film School at (IADT) Institute of Art & Design Technology in Dublin. A course that took a huge amount of work to achieve which I am very proud of myself.

When I am not behind the camera I am in front of it. Acting is a huge passion of mine and is so different to direction. In 2021 I graduated from Acting school and have since gone on to work on numerous feature films and Tv series. I love to act in my own shorts too as it allows me to explore new characters and lives and also a chance for me to master my craft. I am always working on something new for my followers to enjoy. Through film festivals, movie premieres and my own work in screen acting I have had the opportunity to work and meet some incredibly talented performers and artists within the industry and we actors always say that we never stop learning and growing.

I am beyond delighted to be releasing my newest Irish language short film “Last Page” which is my most anticipated body of work yet. It took many months as well as an incredibly collaborative team of actors and filmmakers to put together which I was delighted to direct. Based on true events. Unfortunate circumstances prompt a young woman to recount her story, from her birth at a mother and baby home to a life spent wondering about her lost family. We want the whole world to see this beautiful story of two close people reuniting. I was given the opportunity to work with two gifted Irish actors, Veronica Henley as Dr. Aine and Deirbhile Lee as Dearbhla. Both actors fit straight into the shoes of these characters with unique on-screen chemistry and my Gaeilgeoir and script supervisor Saorlaith Ní Shuibhne hugely participated in fleshing out who these characters were and their back stories, all of which turned out way beyond our expectations.

Click here to watch https://youtu.be/slZJAvCD_3E

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I originally grew up in the small coastal city of Cork, Ireland but have since moved to the capital of Dublin. As I am half Spanish I am usually travelling between Dublin and Madrid throughout the year, however, my favourite spots to hang around in Dublin include Grafton street. Bray beach. A walk along the grand canal during the evening and a drink or two at the well-known Wetherspoons bar on Abbey street with my college mates, it really is a remarkable place to catchup.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I am incredibly grateful for my parents who have always supported and motivated my love and passion for cinema since I was little.

Instagram: @keaneamichael

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MichaelKFilms

Other: The link to my brand new Irish language short film “Leathanach Deiridh” (Last Page) Based on true events. Unfortunate circumstances prompt a young woman to recount her story, from her birth at a mother and baby home to a life spent wondering about her lost family. Link to watch https://youtu.be/slZJAvCD_3E For Covid Eire to watch https://www.amazon.co.uk/Covid-%C3%89ire-Michael-Keane/dp/B08VF8N9WW Please include in article/story for people to watch.

Image Credits
Ger Holland. Richard O’Connell. Maureen Jackson

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