Dean Conway is an award nominated writer/director from Northern Ireland. Influenced by independent and social realist cinema, Dean has a particular interest in telling authentic, observational and naturalistic stories that resonate with audiences. His short film work has been programmed at BIFA, BAFTA and Academy Award affiliated festivals - such as Foyle Film Festival, Belfast Film Festival and BFI Future Film Festival - and he has previously received funding from the Northern Ireland Office as well as Northern Ireland Screen.
Biography
Dean Conway was selected at the age of sixteen to participate in a BFI Scriptwriting Residential Programme in Newcastle upon Tyne. Here he was guided by industry professionals such as freelance film writers in addition to script editors from Channel 4.
Following this, Dean participated as a writer for Northern Ireland Screen's New Shorts Focus 2020 programme for six months. During this time Dean had the opportunity to work with script editor Vanessa Haynes on evolving short film scripts from treatment to final draft.
In 2021 Dean was selected as one of the 21 Artists for the 21st Century by the Northern Ireland Office for their prestigious mentor programme. Here he was supported by BAFTA and Oscar winning filmmakers Ross White and Tom Berkeley (‘An Irish Goodbye’) and received funding for his first short film - ‘Shea and Hannah'.
‘Shea and Hannah’ screened in competition at the 22nd Belfast Film Festival and the 35th Foyle Film Festival in 2022. The film also screened at Disappear Here Film Festival, Mayo International Film Festival and Louth International Film Festival - where Dean was nominated for ‘Best Director’.
In 2023 Dean wrote, directed and edited his second funded short film 'Double Vodka and Blackcurrant' which was supported by Northern Ireland Screen/BFI Network. The slice-of-life piece premiered at the BAFTA qualifying 23rd Belfast Film Festival in November of that year and was selected as the Northern Ireland finalist for the BIFA qualifying BFI Future Film Festival 2024 - where Dean was nominated for 'Best Writer'. Dean was interviewed about the short film by the Belfast Telegraph in February 2024.
Most recently, Dean completed production on his debut feature film which is currently in post-production.