What would you do if you finally had the time?

It’s happy. And sad.

This is not an ad. This is a trailer for a short animated film, commissioned by Screen Ireland and RTÉ, that I co-wrote with director John Kelly. It tells the story of Ray (Domhnall Gleeson) as he fantasizes about everything he’d love to do in retirement, once he finally has the “time.”

SELECTED PRESS

Deadline: Filmmaker John Kelly On Creating The ‘Panic Attack’ Inspired Domhnall Gleeson Animated Short ‘Retirement Plan’

Animation Magazine: How Irish Director John Kelly Made His Award-Winning, Crowd-Pleaser, ‘Retirement Plan’

Animation Obsessive: Dreaming of Retirement

Horror Buzz: Retirement Plan - SXSW 2025 Review

Animation World Network: Binocular Briefs — Short Film Review

Film&Television Business: John Kelly’s RETIREMENT PLAN – A Delicate Animated Short Blending Humour and Heartfelt Depth

Overly Honest Reviews: How Long Can You Put Off Your Dreams?

Film Obsessive: SXSW 2025 Short Film Round-Up

Movie Jawn: In under seven minutes RETIREMENT PLAN makes one feel all the feels

The Michigan Daily: SXSW 2025: Animated Shorts Highlights

The Oscar Project Podcast: Filmmaker Interview with John Kelly

SCREENINGS

Galway Film Fleadh (World Premiere)
Ireland, July 2024

Dublin International Film Festival
Ireland, February 2025

South by Southwest
USA, March 2025 (International Premiere)
🏆 Grand Jury Award — Animated Short Competition
🏆 Audience Award — Animated Short Competition

Kaboom Animation Festival
The Netherlands, March 2025

Animation Dingle
Ireland, March 2025
🏆 Best Irish Professional Short

Irish Film Festa Rome
Italy, March 2025
🏆 Best Short Film
🏆 Student Jury Award

Aspen Shortsfest
USA, March 2025

Los Angeles Festival of Movies
USA, April 2025

Athens International Film + Video Festival
USA, April 2025
🏆 Special Jury Mention

RiverRun International Film Festival
USA, April 2025

San Francisco International Film Festival
USA, April 2025

Atlanta Film Festival
USA, April 2025

Milwaukee Film Festival
USA, April 2025

Pictoplasma
Germany 2025

Flatpack Festival
UK, May 2025