A Simple Killing to Air on RTÉ2 on Monday, 13 October with RTÉ Shortscreen Series

A Simple Killing, a short horror-thriller scored by Irish film composer Emer Landers, will air on RTÉ2 on Monday, 13 October 2025, at 11:25 pm as part of RTÉ’s Shortscreen series, which showcases outstanding Irish short films.

Directed by Jason Branagan and produced by Emer Durcan of Western Front Studios and Mark DeCarreau of Five Line Films, A Simple Killing is an atmospheric horror that follows Mai, a woman on the brink of ending her own life, whose plans are suddenly disrupted when a desperate, pregnant stranger appears at her door. The film stars Daphne Cheung, Claire Gavin, and Aidan O’Callaghan, and was shot on location at Bellefield House and Gardens in Shinrone, County Offaly.

The production was awarded €10,000 from the FilmOffaly Short Film Bursary 2023, which supports filmmakers who bring stories to life in the region. Since its completion, A Simple Killing has screened at Raindance (London), Newport Beach (USA), OFFline Film Festival (Birr), and Foyle Film Festival (Derry). It also won Best Short Film and the Virtual Audience Award at the Waterford International Film Festival 2024.

The original score by Emer Landers plays a central role in creating the film’s dark, suspenseful tone. Her music adds emotional depth to the tension and isolation at the heart of the story, continuing her growing reputation as a distinctive voice in Irish film music.

The upcoming Shortscreen broadcast marks another milestone for A Simple Killing and brings this award-winning Offaly-made production to national audiences across Ireland.