ABOUT THE FILM

Matt will never forget two things. His last conversation with his grandpa, Patrick O’Donovan. And the first time he went paddleboarding. In their conversation they spoke about Ireland, Paddy’s homeland. With each sentence, it felt as though he was slowly rising from his wheelchair, as if the mere mention of Ireland gave him energy and ignited his yearning for home; to which he couldn’t return before he passed. Years later, Matt discovered stand up paddleboarding and instantly fell in love with the beauty and the difficulty. Ireland and paddleboarding converge in Stand, a short film that will immerse us in the beauty of Ireland, the calm of paddleboarding, and Matt’s attempt to understand his grandpa’s connection to Ireland.