Person to Person: 'I live in a very beautiful part of Cork city.. I’m lucky to be near many green spaces'

Tell us about yourself;

My name is Dervla Baker. I am an artist, filmmaker, and researcher. I am currently doing a practice-based art/science PhD at MTU Cork. I am also the Irish Shorts and Cork Competition Programmer for Gearr; Cork’s Short Film Festival 2026.

Where were you born?

Dublin (I don’t often admit that one in Cork).

Where do you live?

Cork city.

Family?

I’m the youngest of three sisters. We’re very close, and even though we live in different parts of the country, we meet up regularly to go to concerts or go off to the countryside with the dogs.

Best friend?

I don’t have one ‘best’ friend. I’m surrounded by a close circle of amazing friends who are so supportive, loving, and great craic. I’m so grateful to them all (you know who you are).

Earliest childhood memory?

Wooden floorboards.

Person you most admire?

Greta Thunberg. She has always stood up for her values and fought to make the world a better place, even in the face of difficulty and adversity. That is incredibly courageous. I wish I could be that unstoppable.

Person who most irritates you?

Trump.

Where was your most memorable holiday?

I went to Indonesia for two months in 2018. It was incredible. So peaceful and beautiful, and also so ravaged by tourism. It felt conflicting to be a part of that, but I’m glad that I did get to spend some time there. The people are amazing, and the mountains in Bali are the most beautiful place I’ve ever been.

Favourite TV programme?

Mad Men.

Favourite radio show?

I love when I’m driving, and it’s the time for the John Creedon Show on Radio 1. I also love Sentimental Garbage, a podcast produced by Cork author Caroline O’Donoghue.

Your signature dish if cooking?

I’m struggling to think of one dish, but I love to cook. I really enjoy figuring out new recipes and working with seasonal veg. I find cooking very relaxing and regulating.

Favourite restaurant?

In Cork: Paradiso and L’attitude 51.

Last book you read?

I’m reading a lot of non-fiction books at the moment for the PhD, but the last novel I read to completion was Flight Behaviour by Barbara Kingsolver. I would recommend it.

Best book you read?

A Field Guide To Getting Lost - Rebecca Solnit.

Last album/CD/download you bought?

Cocteau Twins - Heaven or Las Vegas.

Favourite song?

This one is too hard. There are too many great songs.

One person you would like to see in concert?

Temples. I think they’d be really fun live. Or Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds.

Do you have a pet?

I don’t have a pet now, but I sometimes look after assistance dogs in training for Dogs for the Disabled in Togher.

Morning person or night owl?

Reformed night owl.

Your proudest moment?

Being awarded a TU RISE PhD scholarship to study my combined passions of filmmaking and climate engagement at MTU in 2024, and being the Irish Shorts and Cork Competition Programmer for Gearr Cork Short Film Festival 2026.

Spendthrift or saver?

Both.

Name one thing you would improve in your area in which you live?

I live in a very beautiful part of Cork city, so I’m lucky to have access to many green spaces like the Lee Fields, Fitzgerald’s Park and UCC’s campus. If I could improve anything here, it would be to reduce traffic congestion and to clean up the river.

What makes you happy?

Being by or in the sea.

How would you like to be remembered?

For being sound.

What else are you up to at the moment?

I am the Irish Shorts and Cork Competition Programmer for Cork’s new short film festival, Gearr, which takes place from October 8 to 11 at the Arc Cinema.

I have put together five programmes of excellent films from Cork and the whole of Ireland, including: Made in Cork 1: Perspectives; Made in Cork 2: Pastiche; Irish Shorts 1: Common Ground; Irish Shorts 2: Shadow Lands; and Irish Shorts 3: From Ireland’s North.

The festival will also feature international shorts programmes, a special programme of collage films, and many industry events.

More details are available at gearrshortfilmfest.com and on our Instagram, @gearrshortfilmfest.

Tickets are now available from the Arc Cinema’s website. Thank you to our main sponsor, Blacknight Solutions, for making this all possible.