Gerard Barrett

Irish writer-director Gerard Barrett won the admiration of moviegoers, critics and aspiring filmmakers alike for his debut film, "Pilgrim Hill" (2013), a drama about a bachelor farmer that he funded entirely with his own money. Born in Kerry, Ireland, Barrett was raised on a farm with several older male siblings. He was introduced to a wide variety of films at an early age - in an interview, Barrett recalled seeing "Reservoir Dogs" (1992) with his brothers at the age of four - which had a profound influence on his eventual career choice. He gained practical film experience as an assistant to cinematographer P.J. Dillon, who advised Barrett to learn the technical side of the movie business, which led to studies at the Institute of Technology, Tralee. Barrett made his directorial debut on a pair of shorts, including 2009's "The Valley of Knockanure," a drama based on the real-life murder of IRA volunteers by British constables in the early 1920s. The film earned critical praise on the festival circuit, and spurred Barrett to try his hand at a script for a feature-length project. He penned what would become "Pilgrim Hill," which attracted the attention of London-based representation. However, he spurned his new agent's suggestion to seek funding through the Irish film industry, and got a personal loan to begin production on the film. After casting amateur actor Joe Mullins as his lead, the then-26-year-old Barrett completed "Pilgrim Hill" on a microbudget; the resulting picture earned critical acclaim, as well as the Rising Star Award at the Irish Film and Television Academy Awards in 2013. The following year, he helmed his second feature, "Glassland," a harrowing drama about a taxi driver who becomes involved in human trafficking while attempting to draw his mother (Toni Collette) out of her addiction.