The Ick Nominated for Best Short Film at RTS Ireland Awards 2026

The Ick, a Storyland drama featuring an original score by Irish film composer Emer Landers, has been nominated for Best Short Film at the RTS Ireland Awards / Gradaim RTS 2026. The project is also eligible for the RTS Audience Choice Award, which is open to public voting.

Produced by Playbook Media for RTÉ and Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland, The Ick originally aired on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player in December 2025 as part of the long-running Storyland series, which has supported emerging Irish talent since 2009.

Written and directed by Jason Branagan, the film follows an image-obsessed dater who develops a disturbing condition, forcing her to embody the worst traits of her past romantic rejections. The cast includes Sofie Vavasseur, alongside a wider ensemble contributing to the film’s surreal and darkly comic tone.

The score takes a dark hybrid sound design approach, supporting the horror elements of the piece while also leaning into the emotional core of the story through lighter electronic and instrumental textures.

The RTS Ireland Awards, hosted by RTÉ, recognise excellence across Irish television, including programme-making, performance, craft, and design. The 2026 ceremony will take place on Thursday, 16 April 2026 at the Dublin Royal Convention Centre.

Voting for the Audience Choice Award is open here until 6 April 2026.

This nomination marks further recognition for The Ick following its broadcast and highlights its place within a new category introduced to celebrate excellence in short-form storytelling.