Darren Thornton (b. 1976, Ireland) was brought up around the theatre; he established the Calipo Theatre Company in 1994, where he works as stage and artistic director. He studied film at Cólaiste Dhúlaigh College in Dublin. He made his television debut writing and directing the IFTA award-winning series "Love Is the Drug" (2004).
His first short film Frankie won the Prix UIP at the Berlinale in 2008 and the European Academy Award for Best Short Film that same year. In 2011 his second short film Two Hearts also won the Prix UIP (in competition at the Cork FF). In 2003 he established the Sharp Focus film project, which enables young people from Ireland and Northern Ireland to work with professional filmmakers on the production of short films that explore the legacy of conflict within their communities. A Date for Mad Mary is his debut feature film.
MFF Karlovy Vary
