In this fresh coming-of-age drama, super-smart but socially awkward Emily (Evanna Lynch) is concerned when she doesn’t receive a birthday card from her loving but absent father. When she hooks up with fellow outcast Arden (George Webster) at her new school they decide to embark on a road trip across Ireland to find him. They are an odd couple, this pale bookish girl and the boy in the velvet suit, but they find comfort in each other along the way, and uncover some hard and unexpected truths.

The film is written and directed by Simon Fitzmaurice, who is completely paralysed by Motor Neuron Disease and communicated using eye movement and iris recognition software. In this new debut feature he has created a joyful story of a young woman’s journey towards self-discovery and redemption.

Notes by Sunniva O’Flynn

Age: 12A

Also available:
It’s Not Yet Dark, Frankie Fenton’s documentary portrait of Simon Fitzmaurice as he embarked on the creation of My Name is Emily while battling MND.