Meghan McArdle

Storyland is an award-winning initiative by RTÉ.ie and Screen Ireland, a program that develops and showcases new, original Irish short dramas by emerging talent in writing, directing, and acting. It operates as a competitive call-out for scripts, with the top finalists receiving funding and support to produce their 25-minute short dramas, which are then broadcast on RTÉ2 and the RTÉ Player.

Bernie, a grumpy widower stuck in his solitary routine, finds unexpected companionship when he orders a bizarre "Grow Your Own Girlfriend" kit from a mysterious infomercial. Set against the backdrop of grief, aging, and late-in-life connection, Growing Pains is a darkly whimsical exploration of love, loss, and how much water it takes to fill a void.

A comedy about a schoolboy with a strange friend seeking romantic advice from his granddad who in return wants him to break him out of his mental institution.