At What Cost? - A Social-Realist Short Film

At What Cost? is a 2025 graduate short film from the National Film School, IADT.

Logline

A struggling father tries to find a job as he fights his clinical depression.

Synopsis

Elliot, in his late 30’s, attends a social welfare appointment. There, he pleads his case, explaining that he is depressed but hasn’t been diagnosed because his old GP retired and all other ones in his area won’t accept new patients. However, as a result of lack of evidence, he is denied any relevant social welfare payments.

Back at his apartment, we see a photograph of him and his daughter happy together before he lost custody of her. With no financial income and determined to prove himself to his daughter, Elliot forces himself to go out and look for jobs. This journey is agonising and tormenting for Elliot and puts his mental stability at even more risk…

Themes

The theme of hopelessness is one that is universally felt by thousands of desperate men and women who struggle for the basic right to healthcare in Ireland. Like them, Elliot’s leading quality is his resilience. He shows this by powering through despite all odds. However, despite his many attempts to get back on his feet, he is consistently faced with dead ends and made feel utterly hopeless throughout the film.

Meet The Team

Writer / Director - Liam Boland

Producer - Thomas Wallace

Cinematographer - Jarlath McKernan

Sound Design - Jan Krzysztof Nosal

Editor - Elena Walsh O'Brien

Incentives

€35 - BTS Photos

€60 - Electronic Press Kit

€100 - Signed Poster from Crew

€200 - Executive Producer Credit

€500 - Exclusive invite to Premiere (Limited to One)

Production Timeline

December - Fundraising

January - Pre-Production

February - Production

February - April - Post-production

May - Completion

June - Premiere

Director's Statement

My name’s Liam Boland, I’m currently in my final year and a directing major at the National Film School, IADT.

Directing is something that I’ve always been drawn to, I enjoy taking the creative lead over stories that often involve relatable characters going through real, authentic struggles. It is an area that I have had a lot of expeience in through specialised classes in the course, and film projects outside of the course such as my recent debut feature film ‘Alone, Together’.

Moreover, it is my honour to be the director and co-writer of At What Cost?, a very important and contemporary story which has very significant meaning to me personally. Like Elliot, I have seen members of my family and close friends suffer as a result of the poor management of the health service and the social welfare system. The frustration, hopelessness, and resilience experienced daily by many is something I want to channel through Elliot to depict the more harrowing, honest story that I can.

Producer's Statement

Before starting this film, I was inspired by the themes and social critiques that director Liam Boland aimed to highlight with At What Cost? This film is not just a story; it serves as a lens into the harsh realities many individuals face in modern Ireland. With its powerful message, politically relevant themes, and striking visual style, I knew this project was worth bringing to life.

We have assembled a passionate and skilled team dedicated to authentically telling this deeply human story. Set on the streets of Dublin, At What Cost? draws inspiration from influential social-realist films by Ken Loach and Irish filmmakers like Lenny Abrahamson. This short film sheds light on the struggles of depression, inequality, and resilience, creating a narrative that resonates with Irish audiences and viewers worldwide.

How to Help

To bring this story to life in the way it deserves, we need your help. While we have access to equipment and post-production facilities through the National Film School, key aspects of our production still require funding. This includes paying our talented cast, providing proper catering for long shoot days and covering transportation and other essential production costs.

Your contributions will directly support the creation of a film that has the potential to spark meaningful conversations about mental health, inequality, and systemic failures. Regardless of the amount, every donation helps us take one step closer to making this important project a reality. Together, we can create a film that leaves a lasting impression and inspires real change.

Final Words

Your generosity and belief in this project will help us create a film that matters. Together, we can make At What Cost? a story that inspires empathy, understanding, and change.

Thank you for being part of this journey,

Liam & Thomas