Film
Split Second Films is an independent production company making character-driven films and content—grounded in place and shaped by what it means to be human.
We put projects together from the ground up—building small, sharp creative teams around each idea. Alongside developing our own work, we partner on select co-productions that feel like a natural fit.
We’re drawn to character-first stories with a bit of bite—films that live somewhere between dark comedy, horror, road movie, soft sci-fi, and coming-of-age.
Tone matters. Voice matters. We like work that knows what it is.
We’re based between Cork and the Midlands—not quite in the centre of either, which is exactly the point.
Split Second Films is a BAFTA member.
Digital
Whether it’s film or digital, it starts the same way—with story.
We develop and deliver digital work with a background in both production and project management—comfortable in the space where creative meets execution.
Our team runs projects in fast-moving environments using Agile and Waterfall approaches where they make sense. With Certified Scrum Master and PRINCE2 Practitioner experience in-house, we’re comfortable handling complex projects, stakeholders and delivery—properly
But process is only part of it.
What we bring is a story-first mindset. Even in digital, the work needs to engage—something people don’t just use, but stay with. Whether it’s platforms, content, or interactive experiences, we’re interested in work that connects and holds attention.
Back Story
Originally the company traded as Tannemil Limited through the 1990’s when activity centred around IT specific projects. When detailed work in the fields of GUI and story were undertaken through post millennium the company shifted its direction towards media production. To accurately reflect this new direction it was decided to change the company name to Split Second Films Ltd in February 2005. Prior to this short film projects “Solo Party” (2003) and “Wheeling Dealing” (2004) starring Jane Horrocks were produced and enjoyed successes, the latter which was exhibited by the Odeon Cinema.
In 2006 production of Patrick Whittaker’s comedy/drama “Raspberry Ripple” (2007) starring legendary guitarist Mick Green took flight and this went on to win best film at its world première in Canada and later picked up nomination of best film in Melbourne, Australia.
The company then started to work with regional screen agencies in the English regions and with the UK Film Council on development and production of short live action and animation films. The first of these films was Stephen Irwin‘s dark animation “Bows & Arrows” (2006) and commissioned by Film London and the UK Film Council. The film proved very popular with international film festivals both mainstream and animation specific and the film picked up an accolade at Milan where it won Jury Special Mention. In 2007 the company worked with Spool Films in Nottingham on two films commissioned by East Midlands Media and the UK Film Council. First up was Richard Porter’s dark drama “The Imaginary Girl” (2007) starring Molly Windsor and Ruth Gemmel which played at A-list festivals being supported by the British Council. The second film was Peter Baynton‘s comedy animation “Over The Hill” (2007) which also received support from the British Council and proved a great hit with A-list festivals winning a number of best film and audience awards and having met certain qualifying criteria this film was subsequently submitted for consideration to the Academy Awards in 2009.
With a catalogue of successes in place and strong relationships already forged with regional cast and crew the company set about putting its first feature film production in place and a number of projects were considered. In late 2009 discussions started with visual FX artist and horror director Alex Chandon on his feature film project which would transpire to be the horror/comedy “Inbred” (2011). The company worked with New Flesh Films GmbH in Germany and took sole responsibility for the production through summer 2010 in Yorkshire.
Furthermore, in 2009 the company was successful in securing substantial funding from the training body Skillset who recognising the company’s USP as a one stop shop for both film and digital production made a considerable funding award to enable the company to undergo specialist training.
Following a year in post production “Inbred” was released in August 2011 and enjoyed success on the festival circuit winning awards for Best Film, Best Sound Track and numerous awards for Best Special FX at many international film festivals. In January 2012 Arclight‘s label Darclight picked up world sales and sold a number of territories.
In 2010 the company worked with East Midlands Media and the UK Film Council producing Charlie Sen’s commissioned horror film “Diary of a Thagee” (2011) which premièred in London to a Best Film nomination.
A hiatus followed due to extended timeout and parental leave, coupled with the CV-19 pandemic which put production work on hold.
In 2023 “Ticker” was produced, written and directed by Thom Petty funded by the BFI with support from the National Lottery, shot on film starring Ian Gelder and Paul Copley. TICKER has screened widely on the festival circuit, winning various nominations and awards, including Best International Short Film at Cork’s 2024 Fastnet Film Festival and the Boyne Valley International Film Festival also in 2024. The film streamed for 12 months on Channel 4 and won highly commended by the Iris Prize.
In 2024 the company opened it’s Irish office in Cork City, to support the strategic direction of realising excellent quality films telling universal stories for international audiences. Later that year the company along with its co-production partners in Germany and Estonia were successful in winning Media development funding for the feature film “The Reef”.
In 2025 the Irish company was commissioned by Screen Ireland to produce the Focus short film “The Kevin Intervention”, written by Fiona Tuohy and directed by Aideen McCarthy, production wrapped in January 2026.