Richard O'Sullivan

Richard O’Sullivan is Senior Lecturer in Film at Queen’s University, Belfast.  He has been programme convenor for the MA in Film at the University since 2019.  He studied BA (hons) Film and Literature at Warwick University (critical/ theoretical studies) and holds a PhD-equivalent MFA in Directing/Production from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA Film School), where he studied with the mentorship of Marina Goldovskaya. From 2008-2013, he was lecturer in Media Production and a part of the significant research culture in ‘Landscape and Environment’ at Aberystwyth University.

O’Sullivan’s experimental films have been selected for significant and competitive experimental  film festivals worldwide, including the New York Video Festival, Lincoln Centre (2007); Media Forum at the Moscow Film Festival (2008); Festival des Cinémas Différents et Expérimentaux Paris (2010, 2018).

O’Sullivan’s experimental films address theoretical questions related to landscape, place and media, and he has also made personal documentaries. His work functions as practice as research and has been submitted by Queen’s to two iterations of the UK’s Research Excellence Framework, in 2013 and 2021.  O’Sullivan has presented his work and accompanying papers at academic conferences including the ISEA (2009); MECSSA (2013; 2020); and Film-Philosophy (2023).  From 2001-2008, he worked as a freelance script reader and assessor for arts agencies, screenwriters, and producers.

Teaching

Current teaching/ convening includes:

FLM2027 Experimental Practice

FLM7010 Screenwriting (MA)

FLM7016 Avant-Garde and Experimental Filmmaking (MA)

FLM7005 SUM MA Dissertation (MA)

Previous teaching/ convening includes:

FLM2019 Introduction to Screenwriting

FLM3001 Advanced Film Practice

FLM7018 Research Skills in Film I (MA)

FLM7019 Research Skills in Film II (MA)