WISE WOMEN FREE WORKSHOPS: 'MAKING IT HAPPEN!'
Every two months, Wise Women will be hosting an evening with trailblazing women who have made incredible achievements in their field by following their dreams and making it against all odds. The evening will be hosted on the Wise Women Platform and is free to attend.
FRIDAY 12TH SEPTEMBER, 4 - 9 PM, YMA: MAN CREU MEITHRIN CELF | PLACE FOR CULTURE CREATIVITY ARTS, STRYD TAFF, PONTYPRIDD, CF37 4TS
Join us for an inspiring evening of award-winning films, masterclasses, and conversation exploring resilience, women’s voices in film, and mental health awareness.
We are partnering with Irish Film & TV’s Masters At Work and bringing the Event to Wales for our first SHOUT Cymru Event!
This is following SHOUT's successful Film & Arts Mental Health Festivals in London & Liverpool which have been running for the past four years.
This free to attend bookable event will take place on Friday 12th September 2025, with a screening of two multi-award winning Irish short films: Denise Deegan's THE INN KEEPER and Maeve Murphy’s ST. PANCRAS SUNRISE. We will also be holding the Welsh Premiere of Patricia Kelly's multi-award-winning & critically acclaimed feature film, VERDIGRIS. This will be followed by a discussion with Irish Author/Screenwriter Denise and Irish Writer/Film Directors Patricia & Maeve. Carey Fitzgerald, will chat with them about their impressive careers and how they became successful in a very competitive industry, as well as the subject of mental health which is touched upon in all three films.
We are delighted that Denise McQuade, Consul General, Irish Consulate in Cardiff will be welcoming and introducing the Event.
There will be a Q&A followed by Networking.

How to Book a Place
Email Emma at: emma@wisewn.com
Previous Workshops
COMING INTO YOUR POWER - CELEBRATING YOUR WORTH
In Partnership with Shout Celebration, The Mental Health Film & Arts Festivals, we marked Mental Health Awareness Month with the online workshop: COMING INTO YOUR POWER - Celebrating Your Worth, on Thursday 29th May 2025 from the Wise Women Platform.
Carey Fitzgerald met Performance Mindset Coach for Film/TV/Theatre, West End Mindfulness Coach, Author & Business Woman Of The Year, Brenda Shankey.
Brenda showed us how to channel your own inner power and learn to be unafraid of pursuing whatever it is that brings you joy. Through mindfulness and meditation we enjoyed a very relaxing workshop.
This is what some of the audience had to say:
“I had a stress headache all day and that was just what I needed, I slept for a whole seven hours afterwards!”
“I found her meditation extremely powerful. I was rendered almost unconscious! I slept for about 12 hours, and my head is very clear today.”
“Thank you very much for the phenomenal session with Brenda last night. I found her incredibly interesting.”
“Thank you very much for providing the session at no charge, as well as your other sessions. This is so generous.”

Online St Patrick's Day Workshop
In partnership with IFTUK and in celebration of St Patrick's Day we enjoyed an informative and animated evening with renowned published writer of nine novels and numerous award-winning screenplays, Denise Deegan, and multi-award-winning writer/director Maeve Murphy.
These legendary women thrilled the audience with stories of their experiences and anecdotes on how they arrived to where they are today. Our audience spanned from the USA, Germany, Italy, France, Ireland and the UK and this is what some of them said:
"What an inspiring event, thank you for sharing with us!"
"Thank you, this has been a fascinating evening."
"Maeve and Denise have been so generous with their advice and tips and even shared their contacts with us. Thank you so much."

Online Masterclass in Celebration of St Brigid's Day
In Partnership with IFTUK St Brigid's Film Festival, on the 28th January 2025, Wise Women enjoyed a packed online masterclass from the Wise Women Platform. Sadly, because of the violent storms in Ireland resulting in no power or water, legendary Casting Director Maureen Hughes was unable to jump on. Producer Edwina Forkin & Global Distribution Expert, Tara Gaule thrilled the participants with their insight into the film & TV industry and their respective roles on TIS THE SEASON TO BE IRISH .
This is what the audience said:
"Thank you so much for sending , it was wonderful! Great to get all of your insight on things. It's a pity Maureen couldn't make - she is the Queen of casting in Ireland and has certainly paved the way for those behind her." - Tracy Coogan
"I really enjoyed the session and Q & A this evening, thanks so much." - Pat Garrett
"Thank you so much for adding me to the event, it was priceless! Amazing women in an amazing industry for sure" - Gillian Fischer
"I very much enjoyed listening to the discussion last night. It was so helpful to get a behind the scenes look at tv & film production." - Jackie Pulford
"Thanks so much for organising the talk last night—it was really insightful, and I took away a lot of valuable information." - Aidan O'Callagan

Edwina Forkin

Carey Fitzgerald

Tara Gaule
VERDIGRIS - A Case Study
On the 18th June in partnership with Irish Film & TV UK and from the Wise Women Platform, Patricia Kelly (writer/producer/director), Geraldine McAlinden (lead actress) & Tania Freimuth (Director of Photography) shared their experiences with Carey Fitzgerald on how they managed to create the multi-award-winning Irish feature film. With 5 IFTA Nominations, 9 Major Festival prizes and 10 Festival selections to date, the audience was thrilled to hear how this ground breaking film is taking the world by storm.
