A CLIMATE action thriller set to start filming this summer is being led by award-winning Limerick creatives.
The Last Anchor is written by award-winning Limerick actress Johanna O’Brien, who features in Apple TV+s Foundation and Krypton 2 and Element Pictures’ feature film Rosie.
It follows an ambitious TV news anchor played by O’Brien, on the eve of the biggest storm Ireland has ever seen, who takes on the major task of single-handedly manning the news desk while trying to talk her parents to safety over the phone.
The Last Anchor explores the potential consequences of climate change if action is not taken by governments and those in power.
“When I first had the idea for The Last Anchor, life-threatening storms felt like a distant threat. But as time has passed, the climate catastrophe depicted in the film has become alarmingly real. Storms like Storm Éowyn are becoming frighteningly more common”, Johanna said.
While highlighting the dangers of inaction, the film also delivers a message of hope — there is still time to make a difference.
The film is directed by award-winning Limerick-born filmmaker Paudie Baggot, whose work has screened at Oscar and BAFTA-affiliated film festivals, including the The Chicago International Children’s Film Festival and the Emerging Director’s Awards.
It’s also being produced by Pete Moles, an award-winning producer based in Limerick City, who was a producer on First Date, currently streaming on Disney+.
“When Johanna asked me to produce The Last Anchor, I was immediately drawn to its intelligent storytelling and thoughtful approach to important themes. The writing is sharp and engaging. It’s a truly special project, bringing together an incredible team of talented filmmakers. I’ve always been drawn to projects driven by passion and enthusiasm, and The Last Anchor is definitely one of them”, Pete said.
Pete is also the artistic director of Emerging Limerick Filmmakers, an organisation dedicated to supporting young filmmakers.
The team are now seeking additional funding to bring the film to completion and have launched a fundraising campaign.
Anyone who would like to donate can visit their GoFundMe page, ‘The Last Anchor, a short film by Johanna O’Brien’, which currently has over €3,500 donated so far.
