Posted by Join host Olivia Lyle (@olivialyle1) for an exclusive conversation with composer Luca Patrizio Taylor and director Thomas McQuillan, the creative team behind The Pursuit of Forgiveness (Ireland), recorded by Kyle Reed (@thekylereed) at the 7th Annual Independent Shorts Awards.
The film, which had its World Premiere at Regal LA Live, was nominated for Best Drama Short and stars Robert James and Niamh Louise McGuigan.
On The Pursuit of Forgiveness — A Story of Healing and Choice
The film tells the story of Liam, a struggling addict attempting to reconcile with his estranged daughter, Claire. As Liam battles his past mistakes and seeks to prove he has changed, Claire must confront her own pain and decide whether forgiveness is possible.
McQuillan explained: “It’s about the fragility of second chances. We wanted to ask what it takes to rebuild a relationship when the foundation has already been fractured.”
Building Through Collaboration
For McQuillan, music was never an afterthought: “A lot of my previous films have revolved around the music. It tells its own story while also driving the film forward.”
That collaboration with Taylor became central to The Pursuit of Forgiveness. “We sat for days, just making sure it was perfect,” McQuillan recalled. “I cry every time I hear it—even when the credits roll. It’s such a beautiful score.”
Taylor emphasized the emotional balance: “I try not to just listen as a composer, but it’s hard. The music had to carry the emotional undercurrents without overpowering the story.”
Remarkably, this was their first collaboration. The partnership began when Taylor reached out after seeing McQuillan’s previous short Memories of Us, which also screened at Independent Shorts Awards. “He just messaged me out of the blue saying, ‘I’d love to be your composer for your next film,’” McQuillan recalled. “And here we are.”
From Ireland to Los Angeles
Arriving just a day before the festival, the pair were still jet-lagged but thrilled to be part of the event “We’re still quite a small group of filmmakers in our country,” McQuillan said. “So to be recognized on this scale, internationally, is such an honor.”
Recognition at Independent Shorts Awards
With its World Premiere and nomination for Best Drama Short, The Pursuit of Forgiveness has left a strong mark. For Taylor and McQuillan, the experience underscored why they make films in the first place. “Even just being here is an incredible honor,” they said.
Enjoy the interview below, along with the trailer for The Pursuit of Forgiveness, for a brief glimpse into the film.
Independent Shorts Awards 2018-2025 © All Rights Reserved