Science on Screen’s Ninth Documentary ‘Counter Attack’ Premieres in Dublin

Science on Screen Counter Attack Premiere
Science on Screen Counter Attack Premiere

Date posted:

17.06.2025

Tags:

  • CÚRAM
  • Film Premiere
  • Research Documentary
  • science on screen

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‘Counter Attack’, the ninth documentary from CÚRAM Research Ireland Centre for Medical Devices and Ardán’s Science on Screen public engagement programme, premiered at the Lighthouse Cinema in Dublin this week.

Photo Credit: Julien Behal

Medical device research thrives on a multi-disciplinary approach where combining knowledge from many fields deepens our understanding of global health conditions. Cardiovascular disease, one of leading causes of death globally, was the subject of ‘Counter Attack’, the new Science on Screen documentary directed by Tiernan Williams and produced by Maria O’Neill of Cluster Fox Films.

It features musician Frankie Lane, who recovered from a heart attack, Frankie’s wife Anita Lane and paramedic Pat McCarthy. The documentary also features CÚRAM’s researchers, including vascular surgeon Dr. Niamh Hynes who focusses on the body’s largest artery – the aorta. Her research looks at predicting if, and when an aortic rupture will happen and, using AI and machine learning, how we can build computer models or ‘digital twins’ of aortas to understand the rupture process.

The screening was followed by a panel discussion with all the film’s contributors and an audience Q&A with Dr Claire O’Connell acting as MC for the evening. Frankie and Anita Lane spoke about the emotional impact of their experience while paramedic Pat McCarthy shared statistics about survival rates for out of hospital cardiac arrests and the importance of understanding that there are many different signs and symptoms. Dr Niamh Hynes and Professor Abhay Pandit, founding director of CÚRAM, spoke about their research in cardiovascular disease, with Prof Pandit explaining that while it can take a long time for research to reach the patient, innovations are being created all the time. He gave the example of an injectable hydrogel that he is working on that will in the future help preserve the health of the heart muscle after a heart attack event.

“At CÚRAM, our goal is to develop superior devices that are durable. We achieve this by uniting experts from diverse fields, including clinicians like myself, engineers, biomedical scientists, and social scientists, all while keeping the patient at the heart of our team” commented Dr Hynes. “We cannot grasp what is most important or urgent without their perspective. Conversations like these are crucial not only for raising awareness and prevention but also for helping people recognise how valuable their lived experiences with these conditions are to the research community.”

“We’re grateful to have been trusted with the opportunity to create this documentary. Huge thanks to Ardán and CÚRAM for believing in our vision and giving us the space to tell this story. But most of all, heartfelt thanks to our incredible participants. Your openness, strength, and honesty brought this film to life in ways we couldn’t have foreseen. It’s been an incredible journey—challenging, inspiring, and so worth it. We can’t wait to share it with you all soon.” Maria O’Neill & Tiernan Williams – Cluster Fox Films

This film is just beginning its journey and will continue to screen throughout the year. If you are interested in hosting a screening please contact CÚRAM or Ardán for more information.

Watch the ‘Counter Attack’ trailer at Counter Attack – Trailer on Vimeo

CÚRAM’s public engagement programme aims to provide opportunities for collaboration with patient or public audiences interested in or affected by its research and a key aspect of the Science on Screen Programme – that is co-managed with Ardán (previously Galway Film Centre) – is the collaboration between filmmakers, researchers and those with lived conditions of chronic illness.

Ardán is a non-profit talent development organisation that supports creatives in the audio-visual industry, in film, TV, games, and animation, through funding, training, and events, and by providing opportunities for entry, emerging, and established individuals working in the screen sector.

“For more than ten years, the collaboration between Ardán and CÚRAM through Science on Screen has successfully highlighted CÚRAM’s groundbreaking research from a human perspective. This initiative not only makes STEM subjects more accessible to the media audience but also provides valuable insights into the extraordinary work that is shaping the future of medicine.” – Alan Duggan, Ardán CEO

The Science on Screen scheme was founded to explore the stories behind science and to facilitate, promote and increase the inclusion of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) content in Irish film and TV production. Over the last ten years the films and animations produced through Science on Screen have been screened in 30 different countries and reached almost 2 million people through broadcasts, film festivals, through community, academic and clinical screenings and via online platforms and public exhibits.

2025 marks the 10th year of CÚRAM & Ardán’s Science on Screen programme, and we look forward to celebrating the anniversary of this initiative in Galway later this year.

Find out more about Ardán at www.ardan.ie

Find out more about CÚRAM at www.curamdevices.ie

For more information contact:

Kathryn Reynolds

Comms, Marketing & PR Executive, Ardán

kathryn@ardan.ie

(087) 6036452

Claire Riordan

Communications & Public Engagement Manager, CÚRAM

claire.riordan@universityofgalway.ie

Notes for Editors:

About Ardán:

Ardán (meaning platform or stage in Irish) is a registered charity based in the CREW Enterprise and Innovation Hub, Wellpark Road, Galway city, and operating in the West of Ireland and beyond. We support creatives in the audio-visual industry, in film, TV, games, and animation, through funding, training, and events, and by providing opportunities for entry, emerging, and established individuals working in the screen sector.

Previously Galway Film Centre, Ardán rebranded in 2022 to reflect the broader geographic and sectoral focus of the organisation which includes the greater Western Region and newer industry sectors including games and animation.

Within its screen talent development remit, Ardán manages the Galway UNESCO City of Film designation, WRAP (Western Region Audio Visual Producers’ Fund), the National Talent Academy for Film & TV Drama, the annual FÍS TV and Games Summits (FÍS means screen in Irish), and Ardán is the Chair of the Western AV Forum collective.

Ardán also co-manages several other funding and training opportunities including the CÚRAM Science on Screen Documentary and Animation Commission, the RTÉ Short Film Commission, the national Digital Games Portfolio with Imirt, Innovative Gamified Solutions (IGS), and much more.

About CÚRAM:

CÚRAM is a world-leading research centre funded through Research Ireland, with expertise in medical device technology. With ten partner universities and multiple industry partners, CÚRAM’s aim is to improve the quality of life for people suffering from chronic health conditions like diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and Parkinson’s disease.

Medical device research and development is based on multidisciplinary research involving basic or discovery-oriented research through applied and translational science. Given the complexities involved, communicating about this research to public audiences can present a challenge for researchers.

Education and Public Engagement (EPE) is a core activity at CÚRAM and the EPE Team is involved in a variety of innovative programmes aimed at engaging all audiences with its research. Science on Screen (a partnership between CÚRAM and Árdan) is one of these programmes that provides opportunities for collaboration between our researchers and creative artists. These collaborative projects help create a better understanding and awareness of CÚRAMs research and its importance in and for society.

About Science on Screen:

Science on Screen facilitates, promotes and increases the inclusion of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) content in Irish film and TV production. The partnership began in 2015 with CÚRAM funding documentary filmmaking and providing access to leading scientists to explore methods of scientific ‘storytelling’ and to produce short films that incorporate current research at CÚRAM and its partners.

Over the last ten years the films and animations produced through Science on Screen have been screened in 30 different countries and reached almost 2 million people through broadcasts, film festivals, through community, academic and clinical screenings and via online platforms and public exhibits.