Film Ireland Podcast

In this episode of the Film Ireland Podcast, we speak to IFTA-nominated director Gavin FitzGerald about LOMU , his latest feature documentary exploring the extraordinary life, legacy and cultural impact of rugby icon Jonah Lomu . Widely regarded as rugby’s first global superstar, Lomu transformed the sport with his unique combination of size, power and speed. From becoming the All Blacks’ youngest-ever player to emerging as an international cultural icon, his influence extended far beyond the rugby pitch. Listen now on SoundCloud, Apple, Spotify, Acast and Amazon, or subscribe to Film Ireland wherever you get your podcasts . You can also watch the original recording here: https://www.filmireland.net/podcast-director-gavin-fitzgerald-on-lomu Following its London premiere at the London Breeze Film Festival on Thursday 3 September, LOMU comes to UK and Irish cinemas for one night only on Monday 7th September . Book tickets here: lomu-doc.com Lomu is a theatrical documentary about the legendary All Black, Jonah Lomu. An intimate and heartfelt character study tracing his Tongan upbringing, meteoric rise to fame, and the complicated personal and health battles he faced at the pinnacle of world rugby. Gavin FitzGerald Gavin is an IFTA-nominated film director whose slate of internationally acclaimed documentaries and television series has established him as a leading Irish voice in factual storytelling. His work often explores compelling sporting worlds and subcultures, driven by exceptional characters and crafted with a cinematic, intimate style. He began his career directing commercially successful, access-driven feature documentaries including Conor McGregor: Notorious and Liam Gallagher: As It Was , both of which went on to be acquired by Netflix. He followed these with the award-winning festival favourite Million Dollar Pigeons and a four-part boxing series Stable: The Boxing Game , later acquired by BBC. He is currently completing Soul of the Sea, an Irish-language documentary about a declining rowing tradition in the west of Ireland, supported by Screen Ireland and TG4. His latest feature, LOMU , explores the complexities of identity and Tongan culture through the life of one of rugby’s most iconic figures, Jonah Lomu, and is currently screening at festivals worldwide. Over the years, the podcast has featured acclaimed guests such as Phyllida Lloyd , Lenny Abrahamson , M. Night Shyamalan , John Boorman, Saoirse Ronan, Colin Farrell, Aisha Tyler, Colm Meaney, Paul Reiser , Niamh Algar, David Freyne, Ciarán Donnelly, Joshua Oppenheimer, John Crowley, Niamh Algar, Gene Stupnitsky , and Terence Davies , alongside many of the most influential voices working in film and television today. So make sure to subscribe and listen back! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In partnership with RENDR Festival and supported by the National Talent Academy for VFX , we are delighted to present this very special speaker series. Recorded live at RENDR 2026 in Banana Block, Belfast, we spoke with CG Supervisor for Sony Pictures Imageworks, Katherine Jones who served as CG Supervisor on K-Pop Demon Hunters and In Your Dreams . With over a decade in VFX and animation, Katherine has helped bring some of the industry’s most iconic films to life. Her credits include Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse , Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse , The Mitchells vs. the Machines , Vivo , Spider-Man: Homecoming , Mad Max: Fury Road , Jurassic World , Avengers: Age of Ultron , Guardians of the Galaxy , Captain America: The Winter Soldier , Godzilla , Terminator Genisys , Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Thor: The Dark World . We spoke with Katherine about her impressive career journey, the importance of strong storytelling, and the films that have meant the most to her. Listen now on SoundCloud, Apple, Spotify, Acast and Amazon, or subscribe to Film Ireland wherever you get your podcasts . https://www.filmireland.net/podcast-katherine-jones-cg-supervisor-at-sony-imageworks-k-pop-demon-hunters-spider-man-franchise This series was recorded in The Spinners Mill Studio , a podcast and DJ studio based in Banana Block offering tailored solutions for DJ sessions, small-scale events and podcasting from concept to final distribution. Follow them on Insta / Facebook / TikTok Katherine Jones Katherine is a CG Supervisor at Sony Pictures Imageworks, where she supervised the animated features K-Pop Demon Hunters and In Your Dreams . With more than a decade of experience in visual effects and animation, Katherine has contributed to some of the industry's most acclaimed films. Her credits at Imageworks include the Academy Award®-nominated Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse , The Mitchells vs. the Machines , Vivo , the Academy Award®-winning Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse , Spider-Man: Homecoming , Smallfoot , Storks , and The Emoji Movie . Before joining Imageworks, Katherine held several leadership roles at Stereo D, including VFX Supervisor, FX Stereo Supervisor, Stereo Lead, and Compositing Artist. During her time there, she worked on major blockbuster productions including Mad Max: Fury Road , Jurassic World , Avengers: Age of Ultron , Guardians of the Galaxy , Captain America: The Winter Soldier , Godzilla , Terminator Genisys , San Andreas , Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles , Hercules , Need for Speed , Thor: The Dark World , and Truth . Katherine began her career at Angel Studios as a Digital Compositor, contributing to projects including La Vaca – Holy Cow . Originally from Osceola, Indiana, Katherine studied Fine Arts and Film Studies at the University of Oregon before earning a degree in Computer Animation from Full Sail University. She is also an active member of Women in Animation. RENDR Festival This is a unique event celebrating creative craft and artistry in a fully immersive two-day festival exploring the space between Creativity and Technology. Ignite your imagination with inspiring speakers from the worlds of Film, Gaming, Animation, Immersive, and more! Learn from the best, with 30+ creatives from the likes of Netflix, Pixar, Walt Disney Studios, and Epic Games among others. National Talent Academy for Visual Effects As the newest of the Academies, the National Talent Academy for VFX provides support and opportunities for anyone interested in a career in VFX. Launched in 2024, the National Talent Academy for VFX is an initiative of Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland, managed by Cultural & Creative Industries Skillnet. Their mission is to transform aspiring VFX artists into industry-ready professionals while providing ongoing upskilling opportunities for current talent. Through comprehensive courses and programmess, we introduce participants to best practices both locally and globally, creating clear pathways and solidifying Ireland’s reputation as a premier destination for VFX. Over the years, the podcast has featured acclaimed guests such as Phyllida Lloyd , Lenny Abrahamson , M. Night Shyamalan , John Boorman, Saoirse Ronan, Colin Farrell, Aisha Tyler, Colm Meaney, Paul Reiser , Niamh Algar, David Freyne, Ciarán Donnelly, Joshua Oppenheimer, John Crowley, Niamh Algar, Gene Stupnitsky , and Terence Davies , alongside many of the most influential voices working in film and television today. So make sure to subscribe and listen back! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this Film Ireland podcast, recorded live on location at the Capital Irish Film Festival in Washington, D.C., Gemma Creagh talks film and politics with historical expert Dr Chanté Mouton-Kinyon , a Professor of English at the University of Notre Dame and PhD graduate of the University of Galway. Chanté is a key contributor to the documentary Daniel O’Connell: The Emancipator and took part in the lively panel discussion following its screening at the festival. In her conversation with Gemma Creagh, she reflects on Daniel O’Connell’s legacy, gives historical context to shed light on today’s complex politics and explores the interwoven relationship between film, history, and identity. We also catch up with Andrew Dolan , an artist, producer, and Executive Director of Solas Nua , the organisation behind the annual festival. Solas Nua is a leading multidisciplinary arts organisation that is dedicated exclusively to contemporary Irish arts. Finally, we spoke with some of the festival goers about their experience. Listen now on SoundCloud, Apple, Spotify, Acast and Amazon, or subscribe to Film Ireland wherever you get your podcasts . You can watch the original recording of our chat with Andrew and the audience back here. https://www.filmireland.net/podcast-dr-chante-mouton-kinyon-daniel-oconnell-the-emancipator Dr. Chanté Mouton Kinyon Dr. Chanté Mouton Kinyon is Assistant Professor of English at the University of Notre Dame. A scholar of transatlanticism and race, Mouton Kinyon investigates African American, Irish, and Caribbean literature and culture from the end of the nineteenth century to the present. In addition to her scholarship on the long history of the Irish-Black cultural exchange, her research also considers the transnationality of writers and art that is often limited to discussions of its national impact and significance in contrast to the very international explorations of the artists themselves. In particular, her scholarship focuses on performative material that articulates race and identity; her goal is to illuminate a narrative of cultural exchange that is rooted at the intersection of literature and history. Mouton Kinyon wrote the introduction to Black Matters: African American and African College Students and Graduates Tell Their Life Storie s and her work has previously appeared in Modern Drama. Forthcoming, she will have an article on Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’s engagement with the work of Dion Boucicault in Contemporary Theatre Review : Interventions on the afterlives of The Octoroon. In her 2025 book project, The Transatlantic Gesture: the Irish and African American Cultural Exchange , she studies the symbiotic relationship between Irish and African American authors; particularly the ways in which these authors signify and conceptualise race and marginality. This signaling, which she calls the transatlantic gesture, created intimate bonds between the work of Black and Irish artists and activists. Daniel O’Connell: The Emancipator In his time, O’Connell was renowned across the world as a visionary statesman, reformer, and champion of human rights. Known as The Liberator and The Emancipator , O’Connell dedicated his life to the struggle to achieve Catholic Emancipation, pioneered non-violent mass political mobilisation, and inspired democratic movements around the world. About Capital Irish Film Festival Solas Nua’s annual Capital Irish Film Festival in Washington, D.C., presents one of the largest programmes of Irish cinema in North America, showcasing the latest Irish dramatic and documentary features, shorts, art films and animation releases by Irish and Ireland-based filmmakers. The 20th edition of the four-day festival takes place 26 February – 1 March 2026 in partnership with the prestigious American Film Institute’s Silver Theatre & Cultural Center. Over the years, the podcast has featured acclaimed guests such as Phyllida Lloyd , Lenny Abrahamson , M. Night Shyamalan , John Boorman, Saoirse Ronan, Colin Farrell, Aisha Tyler, Colm Meaney, Paul Reiser , Niamh Algar, David Freyne, Ciarán Donnelly, Joshua Oppenheimer, John Crowley, Niamh Algar, Gene Stupnitsky , and Terence Davies , alongside many of the most influential voices working in film and television today. So make sure to subscribe and listen back! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the latest episode of the State of the Arts podcast ( @sotapod) , filmmaker and writer Des Doyle sits down with acclaimed television writer, producer, and co-creator of The Big Bang Theory , Bill Prady , for a detailed chat about his new show Stuart Fails to Save the Universe , getting a second shot at a pilot, and a shared passion for comic artwork. Produced in partnership with Film Ireland and supported by Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland through the Screen Stakeholders Funding Scheme, the State of the Arts series explores the creative processes, industry challenges, and new opportunities that both Irish and international creatives face in today’s ever-evolving artistic landscapes. During this conversation, Bill reflects on leaving his day job as a computer programmer, fondly recalls his work with Muppets creator Jim Henson and shares skills he developed along the way – ultimately leading to the co-creation of The Big Bang Theory . Listen now on SoundCloud, Apple, Spotify, Acast and Amazon, or subscribe to Film Ireland wherever you get your podcasts . https://www.filmireland.net/state-of-the-arts-the-art-of-the-tv-spin-off-with-bill-prady-the-big-bang-theory-stuart-fails-to-save-the-universe Bill Prady Originally from Detroit, Michigan, Prady began his work in entertainment in 1983 at Jim Henson Productions (then Henson Associates, Inc.). This followed a brief career as a computer programmer and partner in a software company. Working with Jim Henson, Prady wrote a wide variety of projects, the last being The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson , a posthumous tribute to the late puppeteer, for which he received one of his five Emmy nominations. Following his work with Henson, Prady wrote for a number of television comedy and drama series. His first produced episode of series television was an episode of Married... with Children in 1991; his first staff writing job was on the HBO series Dream On in 1995. In 1997, he joined the writing staff of Dharma & Greg , rising to executive producer and taking over as "showrunner" in 2001. In 2007, Prady co-created the hit CBS series The Big Bang Theory with television veteran Chuck Lorre. He served as an executive producer of that series until its finale in May 2019. He is now co-creator and executive producer of The Big Bang Theory spinoff Stuart Fails to Save the Universe , currently streaming on HBO Max. In addition to his Emmy nominations, Prady has received two Writers' Guild awards, a CableACE Award, and eleven People's Choice Awards for his work as both a writer and producer. He has also been nominated for two additional Writers' Guild awards and five Golden Globe Awards. For his work with NASA (a storyline on Big Bang promoting space exploration), Prady was awarded the Agency's Exceptional Public Achievement Medal, NASA's third-highest civilian honor. He is a graduate of the Cranbrook School in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, and attended Wayne State University in Detroit. In the spring of 2022, he was awarded an honorary doctorate from Wayne State. Des Doyle Des is a D.I.T. graduate who spent 15 years working in the Camera Department before moving into directing. He is the writer/director of the critically acclaimed feature documentary Showrunners: The Art of Running a TV Show , featuring JJ Abrams ( Alias , Lost , Fringe ), Robert & Michelle King ( The Good Wife ), Ronald D. Moore ( Outlander , Battlestar Galactica ) and Bill Prady ( The Big Bang Theory ) amongst others. He has created a number of courses in conjunction with Screen Ireland over the last few years, which provide breakdowns of all the major US and international streaming networks and what their evolving programming needs may be. He also initiated the Pitching Programme for TV Drama and Comedy with Screen Ireland, giving a selected group of writers the opportunity to pitch directly to some of the major Irish production companies and created the LA Writers Room Placements scheme, which allowed Irish writers to travel to LA and spend time in US writers’ rooms. Over the years, the podcast has featured acclaimed guests such as Phyllida Lloyd , Lenny Abrahamson , M. Night Shyamalan , John Boorman, Saoirse Ronan, Colin Farrell, Aisha Tyler, Colm Meaney, Paul Reiser , Niamh Algar, David Freyne, Ciarán Donnelly, Joshua Oppenheimer, John Crowley, Niamh Algar, Gene Stupnitsky , and Terence Davies , alongside many of the most influential voices working in film and television today. So make sure to subscribe and listen back! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In partnership with RENDR Festival and supported by the National Talent Academy for VFX , we are delighted to present this very special speaker series. Recorded live at RENDR 2026 in Banana Block, Belfast, we spoke with actor, producer and co-founder of practical effects company Pro Machina , Camille Balsamo-Gillis . In this conversation, Camille chats about growing up on sets as the daughter of Oscar-nominated creature effects artist Alec Gillis, creating films for themselves at Pro Machina, working as a multi-hyphenate filmmaker, and continuing the family legacy of practical filmmaking through her work on blockbuster productions including Alien: Romulus and The Fantastic Four: First Steps . Listen now on SoundCloud, Apple, Spotify, Acast and Amazon, or subscribe to Film Ireland wherever you get your podcasts . https://www.filmireland.net/camille-balsamo-gillis-actor-producer-co-founder-of-pro-machina-practical-effects-company This series of talks was recorded in The Spinners Mill Studio , a podcast and DJ studio based in Banana Block offering tailored solutions for DJ sessions, small-scale events and podcasting from concept to final distribution. Follow them on Insta / Facebook / TikTok Camille Balsamo-Gillis As the eldest daughter of Oscar nominated creature effects artist Alec Gillis, it was inevitable Camille Balsamo-Gillis would follow in her father's footsteps with a career in practical effects. As co-founder of practical fx production company Pro Machina, her team builds and shoots miniatures for blockbuster films like The Fantastic Four: First Steps and Alien: Romulus, but she hasn't stopped there: Pro Machina's mission is to create unique films that celebrate practical effects as a powerful filmmaking tool. To date, she has produced two features under the banner, with two more in development this year. RENDR Festival This is a unique event celebrating creative craft and artistry in a fully immersive two-day festival exploring the space between Creativity and Technology. Ignite your imagination with inspiring speakers from the worlds of Film, Gaming, Animation, Immersive, and more! Learn from the best, with 30+ creatives from the likes of Netflix, Pixar, Walt Disney Studios, and Epic Games among others. Witness creative uses of new technology, explore the gallery of digital art, chow down at the food village or play in the arcade. You will be transported to the future, and provide you with unforgettable and inspirational nights. Like nothing you have experienced before, our unique combination is guaranteed to provide two nights you can’t miss. Come for the talks, stay for the experience! National Talent Academy for Visual Effects As the newest of the Academies, the National Talent Academy for VFX provides support and opportunities for anyone interested in a career in VFX. Launched in 2024, the National Talent Academy for VFX is an initiative of Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland, managed by Cultural & Creative Industries Skillnet. Their mission is to transform aspiring VFX artists into industry-ready professionals while providing ongoing upskilling opportunities for current talent. Through comprehensive courses and programmess, we introduce participants to best practices both locally and globally, creating clear pathways and solidifying Ireland’s reputation as a premier destination for VFX. The National Talent Academy for VFX is dedicated to attracting individuals from diverse backgrounds and disciplines, fostering greater awareness of VFX as a viable and exciting career choice. Learn more about the work they do here . Over the years, the podcast has featured acclaimed guests such as Phyllida Lloyd , Lenny Abrahamson , M. Night Shyamalan , John Boorman, Saoirse Ronan, Colin Farrell, Aisha Tyler, Colm Meaney, Paul Reiser , Niamh Algar, David Freyne, Ciarán Donnelly, Joshua Oppenheimer, John Crowley, Niamh Algar, Gene Stupnitsky , and Terence Davies , alongside many of the most influential voices working in film and television today. So make sure to subscribe and listen back! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In partnership with RENDR Festival and supported by the National Talent Academy for VFX , we are delighted to present this very special speaker series. Recorded live at RENDR 2026 in Banana Block, Belfast, we spoke with Belfast-born stand up, director, animator, and Associate Creative Director at BUCK, Jennifer Zheng . Her BAFTA-nominated short film Tough – exploring the complexities of her and her mother’s cultural identities – has screened at over 80 international festivals, including Sundance and SXSW, and received 17 awards. Alongside her directorial work, Zheng has collaborated with global clients such as Netflix, Google DeepMind, Headspace, and The White Stripes. Listen now on SoundCloud, Apple, Spotify, Acast and Amazon, or subscribe to Film Ireland wherever you get your podcasts . https://www.filmireland.net/podcast-director-designer-animator-jennifer-zheng This series of talks was recorded in The Spinners Mill Studio , a podcast and DJ studio based in Banana Block offering tailored solutions for DJ sessions, small-scale events and podcasting from concept to final distribution. Follow them on Insta / Facebook / TikTok Jennifer Zheng Jen learned to draw the normal way: by drawing the same boiled egg for a month because her dad told her 'Da Vinci started that way' – he didn’t*. After eggs, she drew exclusively Hollywood A-lister headshots with the grid method: Her Angelina Jolie was spectacular. Now Jen has found a career where drawing the same thing over and over isn’t considered crazy: animation. She grew up Chinese in the rolling concrete flats of Belfast, Northern Ireland where it was so white she would sometimes forget that she was Asian ... so the other girls at school would complain that their fake tan kept rubbing off, and she’d say back 'I dunno what’s wrong with you girls, because mine never comes off.' The prejudices she experienced growing up taught her the importance of empathy, which is a theme that permeates her work. Her short film Tough on her and her mother’s conflicting cultural identities was nominated for a BAFTA, won 17 awards, and screened at over 80 international film festivals including Sundance and SXSW. She is currently Associate Creative Director at BUCK and has worked with clients like The White Stripes, Netflix, Headspace & Google Deepmind. Notably, she’s led the design of genitals & illustrations for OMGYes, co-wrote & creative directed a short for GitHub starring Phil Wang, and recently directed the animated portion of David Wilson’s music video for Mabel ‘Look At My Body pt.II’ – a psychedelic feminist retelling of the original sin. On the side, she is an award-winning stand-up comedian, Playgrounds In Motion London host, erotica zine publisher, and t-shirt tiedyer. *Da Vinci never repeatedly drew eggs, this seems to be a China-specific conspiracy. Website / Instagram RENDR Festival This is a unique event celebrating creative craft and artistry in a fully immersive two-day festival exploring the space between Creativity and Technology. Ignite your imagination with inspiring speakers from the worlds of Film, Gaming, Animation, Immersive, and more! Learn from the best, with 30+ creatives from the likes of Netflix, Pixar, Walt Disney Studios, and Epic Games among others. Witness creative uses of new technology, explore the gallery of digital art, chow down at the food village or play in the arcade. You will be transported to the future, and provide you with unforgettable and inspirational nights. National Talent Academy for Visual Effects As the newest of the Academies, the National Talent Academy for VFX provides support and opportunities for anyone interested in a career in VFX. Launched in 2024, the National Talent Academy for VFX is an initiative of Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland, managed by Cultural & Creative Industries Skillnet. Their mission is to transform aspiring VFX artists into industry-ready professionals while providing ongoing upskilling opportunities for current talent. Over the years, the podcast has featured acclaimed guests such as Phyllida Lloyd , Lenny Abrahamson , M. Night Shyamalan , John Boorman, Saoirse Ronan, Colin Farrell, Aisha Tyler, Colm Meaney, Paul Reiser , Niamh Algar, David Freyne, Ciarán Donnelly, Joshua Oppenheimer, John Crowley, Niamh Algar, Gene Stupnitsky , and Terence Davies , alongside many of the most influential voices working in film and television today. So make sure to subscribe and listen back! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this Film Ireland podcast, recorded live on location in Washington, D.C. at the Capital Irish Film Festival , Gemma Creagh chats with actor Eleanor O'Brien about her role as the lead in Irish language feature Báite . Winner of Best Irish Language Feature Film at the 2025 Galway Film Fleadh and nominated in four categories at the 2026 Irish Film & Television Academy Awards. In this conversation, Eleanor discusses her experience of bringing Peggy Casey to life, reflects on planning her next steps following the film’s success, and reveals the types of roles that excite her. Listen now on SoundCloud, Apple, Spotify, Acast and Amazon, or subscribe to Film Ireland wherever you get your podcasts or watch the original recording here. https://www.filmireland.net/podcast-actor-eleanor-obrien-baite-lynley Eleanor O'Brien Eleanor O'Brien is a theatre and film actress from Limerick, who trained at Bow Street Academy in Dublin. She was nominated for the Bingham Ray New Talent Award at the 2025 Galway Film Fleadh for her performance in Báite , which won Best Irish Language Feature Film. Her screen credits include the lead role of Emily Blast in RTÉ's Blasts from the Past , The Last Right alongside Colm Meaney, Michiel Huisman and Brian Cox, and the BBC One drama Lynley , directed by Ed Bazalgette. Báite Winner of Best Irish Language Feature Film at the 2025 Galway Film Fleadh and nominated in four categories at the 2026 Irish Film & Television Academy Awards, Báite arrives in cinemas nationwide on 6th March 2026 to coincide with Seachtain na Gaeilge (1–17 March). Directed by Ruán Magan ( The Hunger , Our Blue World – A Water Odyssey ), the film is a haunting Irish-language mystery set in rural Ireland in September 1975. When a body is discovered in the receding waters of a lake, the find sends shockwaves through a small community. For 23-year-old Peggy Casey, who runs the local pub, the revelation threatens to upend not just her life, but an entire town built on secrets long submerged. About Capital Irish Film Festival Solas Nua’s annual Capital Irish Film Festival in Washington, D.C., presents one of the largest programmes of Irish cinema in North America, showcasing the latest Irish dramatic and documentary features, shorts, art films and animation releases by Irish and Ireland-based filmmakers. The 20th edition of the four-day festival takes place 26 February – 1 March 2026 in partnership with the prestigious American Film Institute’s Silver Theatre & Cultural Center. The festival provides a US platform that amplifies the work of independent filmmakers working in Ireland and beyond, and celebrates the strength of Ireland’s contemporary cinematic culture. The programme highlights the country’s rich cultural heritage while fostering an inclusive and diverse community of Irish filmmakers. Capital Irish Film Festival champions emerging voices on Irish screens, showcases the exceptional talent and craft within Irish filmmaking, and reflects the robust and vibrant screen industry that has grown in Ireland in recent years. The festival also presents the annual Norman Houston Short Film Award, dedicated to the memory of Norman Houston, the former Director of the Northern Ireland Bureau (NIB) in the United States. The award honours the best new short film created by a filmmaker based in or from Northern Ireland, made within the previous two years. The 2026 Norman Houston Short Film Award goes to writer-director Oliver McGoldrick for his film Three Keenings . Read more on SolasNua.org , follow Capital Irish Film Festival on FilmFreeway here. Over the years, the podcast has featured acclaimed guests such as Phyllida Lloyd , Lenny Abrahamson , M. Night Shyamalan , John Boorman, Saoirse Ronan, Colin Farrell, Aisha Tyler, Colm Meaney, Paul Reiser , Niamh Algar, David Freyne, Ciarán Donnelly, Joshua Oppenheimer, John Crowley, Niamh Algar, Gene Stupnitsky , and Terence Davies , alongside many of the most influential voices working in film and television today. So make sure to subscribe and listen back! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Film Ireland podcast, we are delighted to welcome producer Jack Tarling of Shudder Films. In this discussion, Jack talks about his career producing acclaimed independent cinema, from God's Own Country and Kneecap to his latest feature, Learning to Breathe Underwater , which recently had its world premiere at the 60th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival and won the audience award at this year's Galway Film Fleadh. Listen now on SoundCloud, Apple, Spotify, Acast and Amazon, or subscribe to Film Ireland wherever you get your podcasts and/or watch the original recording here. https://www.filmireland.net/podcast-producer-jack-tarling-kneecap-learning-to-breathe-underwater The World Premiere of Learning to Breathe Underwater took place at the 60th Karlovy Vary Film Festival and the film screened again on 10th July at the Galway Film Fleadh, winning the festival's audience award. Starring Rory Kinnear, Maria Bakalova and Ezra Carlisle, Learning to Breathe Underwater follows eight-year-old Leo, who lives with his dad and a giant shark, which crashed through the roof of their home. Yes, you read that correctly. The shark is Leo’s best friend, to whom he can confide all his secrets. He can’t really talk to his dad; he must be missing mum, who’s been gone five years now. Then Anya the au pair bursts into their lives, and their world suddenly changes. It’s more cheerful and Leo discovers that the metal shark doesn’t have to be his only friend. The film is directed by Rebekah Fortune from a script by Richard Barbin. The project is produced by Jack Tarling of the UK’s Shudder Films and Patrick O’Neill of Ireland’s Wildcard, co-produced by KeyFilm in the Netherlands, One Wave Films in Wales and made in association with Eiru Films in the west of Ireland. Learning to Breathe Under Water was filmed in Galway last year and is proudly supported by Screen Ireland, BFI Global Screen Fund, Ffilm Cymru, WRAP Fund, Netherlands Film Fund, Finite Films, Bankside Films and Three Point Capital. Bankside Films handle international sales. Jack Tarling Jack has produced five feature films and many short films through his company Shudder Films. Kneecap , featuring rap trio Kneecap alongside Michael Fassbender, premiered at Sundance 2024 and sold to Sony Pictures Classics. It was shortlisted for two Academy Awards, nominated for six BAFTAs (winning Best Debut), and won seven British Independent Film Awards. God's Own Country , which won prizes in 2017 at Sundance, Berlin, Edinburgh, Galway and many other festivals, won four BIFAs, including Best Film, received a BAFTA nomination for Outstanding British Film, and was the highest-grossing UK debut of the year. Await Further Instructions was a Critics' Pick in The New York Times and sold to Netflix. Currently in post-production for 2026 releases, Jack has produced: Learning to Breathe Under Water , directed by Rebekah Fortune and starring Ezra Carlisle, Rory Kinnear and Oscar nominee Maria Bakalova, is financed by Screen Ireland, UK Global Screen Fund, Ffilm Cymru and the Netherlands Film Fund, and sold by Bankside. Daughter of Eden , written and directed by Fateme Ahmadi, starring Yasmin Al-Khudhairi, Hiam Abbas, Amir El Masry and Lindsay Duncan, is financed by BFI, BBC Film, Screen Ireland and Civic Studios. Jack has also line produced several other feature films for the BFI, BBC Films and others, including two which premiered at Venice, and he previously worked in development at Ridley Scott's production company, Scott Free. In 2019/2020, he worked to produce an unannounced US-set interactive feature film for Sony Interactive Entertainment. Jack has produced short-form content for Disney/Hulu, executive produced a slate of ten short films for Northern Film + Media, and produced the short film Assessment , which was shortlisted for a BAFTA in 2010. Over the years, the podcast has featured acclaimed guests such as Phyllida Lloyd , Lenny Abrahamson , M. Night Shyamalan , John Boorman, Saoirse Ronan, Colin Farrell, Aisha Tyler, Colm Meaney, Paul Reiser , Niamh Algar, David Freyne, Ciarán Donnelly, Joshua Oppenheimer, John Crowley, Niamh Algar, Gene Stupnitsky , and Terence Davies , alongside many of the most influential voices working in film and television today. So make sure to subscribe and listen back! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this Film Ireland podcast, recorded live on location in Washington, D.C. at the Capital Irish Film Festival, Gemma Creagh chats with filmmaker Nuala O’Connor about her film In Time: Dónal Lunny . The documentary chronicles the enigmatic and innovative musician Dónal Lunny, tracing his profound influence on Irish music and his role in shaping its modern evolution. In this conversation, Nuala shares insights into her varied career, balancing her two passions - film and music - her craft, and the challenge of capturing the spirit of such a pioneering artist on screen. The episode was recorded live at the Irish film festival, presented annually by Solas Nua. The 20th edition of the festival took place in Washington, D.C., from February 26 to March 1, 2026. Listen now on SoundCloud, Apple, Spotify, Acast and Amazon, subscribe to Film Ireland wherever you get your podcasts or watch the otigional recording here: https://www.filmireland.net/podcast-filmmaker-nuala-oconnor-on-in-time-donal-lunny About In Time: Dónal Lunny Charting the life and legacy of the iconic Irish traditional musician Dónal Lunny, one of Ireland’s most outstanding artists, this film offers an insightful appraisal of his creative process, exploring the enduring and far-reaching influence he has had on Irish traditional music. The film reveals a life lived entirely for art’s sake. The major events of his creative and personal life have converged with major cultural, political and historic changes in Ireland and around the world and reflects the impact this had on his art from the 1950s to the present day. Music fuses with the personal material of Dónal Lunny’s biographical journey and brings the artist into being in this film. That journey is the journey of Irish culture and people who lived through those decades from the 1950s to the present day. Nuala O’Connor Nuala O’Connor has worked for nearly twenty years in broadcasting: in RTÉ for nine years as a researcher and radio producer, and for the past ten years in the independent film sector. In 1987, Nuala established Hummingbird Productions with Philip King to produce high quality music and arts documentaries. With Philip King, she worked as assistant producer on Bringing It All Back Home and is the author of the book which accompanied the series. Nuala went on to produce documentaries including A River of Sound , Christy , Meitheal and Bláth Gach Géag Dá dTig , collaborating with Donal Lunny, Liam O’Flynn, Seamus Heaney, Sinéad O’Connor and Mary Black. Subsequently, with Philip King and Tina Moran, she was a founder director of South Wind Blows Productions, initially directing the Irish history documentary series The Limits of Liberty with Professor Diarmaid Ferriter. In 2013, she co-directed An Glaoch: The President’s Call with President Michael D. Higgins and also that year wrote and directed From Moment to Moment about the Irish band The Gloaming. In 2014, she worked as co-producer on the acclaimed Ceiliúradh concert at the Royal Albert Hall. Nuala also worked as the traditional music reviewer for The Irish Times for many years. Capital Irish Film Festival Solas Nua’s annual Capital Irish Film Festival in Washington, D.C., presents one of the largest programmes of Irish cinema in North America, showcasing the latest Irish dramatic and documentary features, shorts, art films and animation releases by Irish and Ireland-based filmmakers. The 20th edition of the four-day festival takes place 26 February – 1 March 2026 in partnership with the prestigious American Film Institute’s Silver Theatre & Cultural Center. Over the years, the podcast has featured acclaimed guests such as Phyllida Lloyd , Lenny Abrahamson , M. Night Shyamalan , John Boorman, Saoirse Ronan, Colin Farrell, Aisha Tyler, Colm Meaney, Paul Reiser , Niamh Algar, David Freyne, Ciarán Donnelly, Joshua Oppenheimer, John Crowley, Niamh Algar, Gene Stupnitsky , and Terence Davies , alongside many of the most influential voices working in film and television today. So make sure to subscribe and listen back! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this very special festival podcast, recorded on location at Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale) earlier this year, writer and academic Naemi Victoria sits down with writer-director Olive Nwosu to discuss her latest film, Lady , which screened in the festival's Panorama section. Olive is also joined by members of the film's cast: Agu Chinenye Esthyraph (Fanta), Precious Agu Eke (Lolo), Fadesaye Olateru-Olagbegi (Lekpa), and Eva Ibiam (Cinderella). Together, they reflect on the making of the film, their performances, and bringing the world of Lady to the screen. Lady had its European premiere on 18th February 2026 at the Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale), where it screened as part of the Panorama programme. Listen now on SoundCloud, Apple, Spotify, Acast and Amazon, or subscribe to Film Ireland wherever you get your podcasts . https://www.filmireland.net/podcast-filmmaker-olive-nwosu-cast-of-lady-at-berlinale About Lady In the restless night of Lagos, one of the city’s few female cab drivers, Lady, survives by staying tough and focused. She dreams of escape, saving her earnings for a new life far from the chaos of this Nigerian metropolis. But when her long-lost childhood friend, Pinky – now a sex worker – returns with a burst of colour and trouble, Lady is pulled reluctantly into her orbit. Soon, she is driving a crew of glamorous, reckless, fun-loving women through the underbelly of Lagos nightlife. What begins as judgement develops into unexpected sisterhood: wild, tender and disarming. As Lady becomes entangled in their world, the nights grow more dangerous, and the city presses harder against old wounds that she has never confronted. Forced to face the trauma she has long outrun, Lady cracks open – learning to feel, to belong, to see herself through new eyes. When everything reaches breaking point, Lady must make a choice that will change her life’s direction forever. Olive Nwosu Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Olive Nwosu is an award-winning screenwriter and director living in London. Olive graduated with an MFA in Filmmaking from Columbia University School of the Arts, where she received a BAFTA Pigott 2020 Scholarship and was named 2020 Alex Sichel Fellow for a Female Filmmaker demonstrating promise. Olive won the Zaki Gordon Memorial Award for Excellence in Screenwriting and the James Ponsoldt Award for Best Director in her graduating year. She has written and directed two short films. Troublemaker , 2019, played at film festivals around the world and was acquired by Dedza Films and Kino Lorber. It is the first Igbo-language film on the Criterion Channel. Egúngún (Masquerade) , 2021, was financed by the British Film Institute and British Council as part of their More Films For Freedom Programme. It premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2021, screened at Sundance 2022, won Best Short Film at Hamptons International Film Festival and Aspen ShortsFest, amongst others. The film was nominated for the Best British Short Film at the 2021 British Independent Film Awards and is now available on the Criterion Channel. Olive is a 2022 Sundance Screenwriting Fellow, a 2022 TIFF Filmmaker Lab Fellow, the first recipient of the TIFF Share Her Journey Fellowship in honour of Viola Desmond, and one of four ‘African Promises’ directors selected by the Institute Francais. In 2023, she received the Sundance NHK Award, presented each year to one filmmaker on the basis of his/her past work (feature film, short film, television drama, music video or commercial) and the script for their next feature film project. She is currently in development on feature projects with Film4, the BBC and Fox Searchlight Pictures. Her work is informed by the intersectional nature of her life across multiple continents and identities. Her mission is to tell urgent, cinematic, African-centred stories. Over the years, the podcast has featured acclaimed guests such as Phyllida Lloyd , Lenny Abrahamson , M. Night Shyamalan , John Boorman, Saoirse Ronan, Colin Farrell, Aisha Tyler, Colm Meaney, Paul Reiser , Niamh Algar, David Freyne, Ciarán Donnelly, Joshua Oppenheimer, John Crowley, Niamh Algar, Gene Stupnitsky , and Terence Davies , alongside many of the most influential voices working in film and television today. So make sure to subscribe and listen back! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Film Ireland podcast, we catch up with actor Diarmuid Noyes ( Pure Mule , The Clinic ) as his short A Knock at Your Door is about to premiere at the Galway Film Fleadh. In this conversation, he discusses his creative practice, exploring his approach to character development, performance, and collaboration across film, television, and theatre. Listen now on SoundCloud, Apple, Spotify, Acast and Amazon, or subscribe to Film Ireland wherever you get your podcasts . https://www.filmireland.net/podcast-actor-diarmuid-noyes-christy-a-knock-at-your-door-the-walsh-sisters A Knock at Your Door A Knock at Your Door tells the story of Florence, a nurse, and James (Noyes), an internet-obsessed tech worker, whose lives are turned upside down when a teenager accused online of committing a heinous crime arrives at their door seeking shelter. As tensions escalate outside, the couple's relationship is pushed to breaking point, forcing them to confront uncomfortable truths about themselves and exposing the biases they each carry. Emerging from a climate of mounting social unrest fuelled by fear and misinformation spread across social media, the film draws inspiration from recent events in Ireland, including anti-immigration riots in Dublin city centre and the sustained public disorder outside the Citywest accommodation centre in Saggart, where protesters clashed with Gardaí over multiple nights, hurling fireworks, stones and bottles and setting a Garda van alight. The cast features 2026 IFTA nominee Diarmuid Noyes ( Christy ), Yemisi Oyinloye ( Cold Feet ), Jonathan Heed ( The Lost Children of Tuam , Lemonade , The Boys of Tommen ) and Michael Mullen ( The Problem With People ). Shot on location in Dublin in early 2026, the film is positioned to resonate with audiences as an urgent cinematic response to Ireland's recent social upheavals. About Diarmuid Noyes Irish actor Diarmuid Noyes works across film, television and theatre. He first came to prominence as a teenager with acclaimed Irish dramas The Clinic and Pure Mule . His film credits include Christy , opposite Danny Power; Double Blind ; Good Vibrations , alongside Jodie Whittaker and Richard Dormer; Killing Bono , starring Ben Barnes and Robert Sheehan; Five Minutes of Heaven , opposite Liam Neeson and James Nesbitt; Parked , with Colm Meaney; and The Secret Scripture , directed by Jim Sheridan and starring Rooney Mara, Vanessa Redgrave and Theo James. His television credits include the BBC hit Line of Duty ; HBO's The Tudors , alongside Jonathan Rhys Meyers; Canal+'s Borgia ; Virgin Media Television's Blood ; The Gone ; The Walsh Sisters ; Pure Mule: The Last Weekend ; and Cooper & Fry . Throughout his career, Noyes has received multiple Irish Film and Television Academy (IFTA) Award nominations, including Best Supporting Actor nominations for Double Blind and Christy , as well as a nomination for his performance in Pure Mule: The Last Weekend . Over the years, the podcast has featured acclaimed guests such as Phyllida Lloyd , Lenny Abrahamson , M. Night Shyamalan , John Boorman, Saoirse Ronan, Colin Farrell, Aisha Tyler, Colm Meaney, Paul Reiser , Niamh Algar, David Freyne, Ciarán Donnelly, Joshua Oppenheimer, John Crowley, Niamh Algar, Gene Stupnitsky , and Terence Davies , alongside many of the most influential voices working in film and television today. So make sure to subscribe and listen back! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this Film Ireland podcast, we’re delighted to shine a light on three filmmakers whose short films are screening at this years’s Galway Film Fleadh. Gemma Creagh chats with Alan Hopkins ( A Knock at Your Door ), Jaro Waldeck (Linger ) and Thomas Bennett ( The Galley ). Watch the recording here: https://www.filmireland.net/podcast-filmmakers-alan-hopkins-jaro-waldeck-thomas-bennett-at-galway-film-fleadh A Knock at Your Door - DIR/WRI: Alan Hopkins A young couple's life is thrown into disarray when they receive a late night knock on their door. Florence and James’s quiet evening in front of the TV comes to an abrupt end when a young teenager, Alex, arrives at their door badly beaten and in clear distress. Florence, a nurse, acts quickly and brings him inside, but James, who spends most of his free time in the darker sections of the internet, is immediately unsure. The situation escalates when James is sent a video purporting to show Alex, accompanied by extremely serious sexual allegations. Before James can eject Alex from the house, a mob, whipped up by online extremists, arrives outside seeking vigilante justice. Florence stands firm and won't hand Alex over based on an online accusation. Can their relationship survive as the mob's pressure grows? A Knock at Your Door screens on Saturday, 11th of July in the Town Hall Cinema at 11.30 as part of Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland World Premiere Shorts Linger - DIR: Jaro Waldeck • WRI: Bobby Moloney In a secluded house, Eve cares for her bedridden husband, David, who is now a shell of the man he once was. With only an AI assistant to keep her company, Eve longs for the love and connection they once shared. When offered a miraculous pill that can restore David to full health for seven days, Eve chooses to seize one last chance at happiness, knowing she will set off the countdown to his final moments. As David awakens, unaware of the years lost or the sacrifice Eve has made, their reunion is joyful but fleeting. L inger screens on Saturday, 11th of July, Town Hall Cinema at 11.30 as part of Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland World Premiere Shorts The Galley - DIR: Thomas Bennett • WRI: Thomas Bennett, Niall McCloskey As the coast of Northern Ireland sinks deep into the hands of gentrification, the workers of Crillis Arcade are struck with this reality when their workplace is sold for redevelopment; this news affects nobody greater than Helen (Bríd Brennan), a down on her luck woman living in a caravan along the coastline. When finding herself short on cash at the local chippy, Helen commits a victimless crime to pay for dinner... The Galley screens on Friday 10th July, at 11:45 in the Town Hall Theatre as part of Irish Fiction 4. Alan Hopkins Alan Hopkins is a Dublin-based writer, director and co-founder of HAL Pictures. A graduate of the National Film School at IADT, he holds both a BA in Film & Television Production and a Master’s Degree in Screenwriting. His work has screened at festivals across Ireland and internationally, as well as on RTÉ. In 2024, his Screen Ireland Focus Short Ogham premiered at the Galway Film Fleadh before continuing its international festival run, receiving awards for cinematography and original score. Jaro Waldeck Jaro has been working in the Irish film and TV industry largely as a freelance cinematographer for 15 years. She shot over 50 short films (live action and documentary) as well as feature films DREAMTOWN and HOUSEWIFE OF THE YEAR. Jaro studied at Columbia College Chicago and FAMU Prague, two prestigious film universities, where she earned Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in cinematography, respectively. Thomas Bennett Thomas is a Belfast based artist and director focused on Hi-8 tape and Super 8. His short film directorial work has been funded by BFI Network, Arts Council NI and has been recognised and awarded nationally and internationally, showcasing at Academy®, BAFTA, BIFA & IFTA qualifying Film Festivals. Over the years, the podcast has featured acclaimed guests such as Phyllida Lloyd , Lenny Abrahamson , M. Night Shyamalan , John Boorman, Saoirse Ronan, Colin Farrell, Aisha Tyler, Colm Meaney, Paul Reiser , Niamh Algar, David Freyne, Ciarán Donnelly, Joshua Oppenheimer, John Crowley, Niamh Algar, Gene Stupnitsky , and Terence Davies , alongside many of the most influential voices working in film and television today. So make sure to subscribe and listen back! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Film Ireland podcast, we are delighted to welcome writer/director Rebecca Zlotowski . In this discussion, we chat about her career, creative inspiration, and her latest film, A Private Life , which stars Jodie Foster in her first-ever French-speaking role. In cinemas 26th June, A Private Life sees Jodie plays renowned psychiatrist Lilian Steiner, who embarks on a private investigation into the death of one of her patients... convinced that it was no accident, but murder. Rebecca will be at the Irish Film Institute this evening for a very special Q&A. Listen now on SoundCloud, Apple, Spotify, Acast and Amazon, or subscribe to Film Ireland wherever you get your podcasts . Watch the original recording here. https://www.filmireland.net/podcast-writer-director-rebecca-zlotowski-on-a-private-life Rebecca Zlotowski Rebecca is a French director and screenwriter. Born in Paris, she initially pursued an academic path in literature before turning to filmmaking at La Fémis, where her graduation film became her debut feature, Belle Épine (2010), earning major critical awards. Her cinema is marked by a strong authorial voice, blending psychological realism with stylised storytelling. Across films such as Grand Central (2013), Planetarium (2016), and An Easy Girl (2019), she has developed a body of work attentive to female subjectivity, sexuality, and the emotional complexities of modern relationships. With Other People’s Children (2022), she further refined her exploration of intimacy and non-traditional family structures. Her latest film, A Private Life (2025), starring Jodie Foster, premiered at Cannes and received nominations at the 2026 Lumière Awards (Best Actress for Jodie Foster) and at the 2025 San Sebastián and Warsaw International Film Festivals for their respective Audience Awards. Over the years, the podcast has featured acclaimed guests such as Phyllida Lloyd , Lenny Abrahamson , M. Night Shyamalan , John Boorman, Saoirse Ronan, Colin Farrell, Aisha Tyler, Colm Meaney, Paul Reiser , Niamh Algar, David Freyne, Ciarán Donnelly, Joshua Oppenheimer, John Crowley, Niamh Algar, Gene Stupnitsky , and Terence Davies , alongside many of the most influential voices working in film and television today. So make sure to subscribe and listen back! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this Film Ireland podcast, recorded live on location in Washington, D.C. at the Capital Irish Film Festival, Gemma Creagh speaks with filmmaker Dennis Harvey about his exciting documentary Útóipe Cheilteach / Celtic Utopia . Útóipe Cheilteach / Celtic Utopia screens this Saturday, 20th June, at the Oh Yeah Music Centre as part of Docs Ireland. https://docsireland.ie Presented annually by Solas Nua, the 20th edition of the Capital Irish Film Festival takes place in March each year, showcasing one of the largest programmes of Irish cinema in North America. Docs Ireland runs until the 21st, celebrating the best of new international documentary filmmaking, showcasing the work of Ireland’s indigenous non-fiction culture and creatives. Read more here: https://www.filmireland.net/podcast-filmmaker-dennis-harvey-on-utoipe-cheilteach-celtic-utopia Dennis Harvey Dennis is a filmmaker from Ireland. He is best known for his short documentary The Building and Burning of a Refugee Camp (2024), which won the Swedish Academy Award for Best Short Film, was selected by the French Academy of Cinema as one of the Best Short Films of 2024, and received many other awards. Dennis mainly writes and directs documentaries, but has also produced and edited his own films. His first feature, I Must Away (2023), was a kaleidoscopic essay about movement filmed over seven years in six countries. His latest short, The New Policy Regarding Homeless Asylum Seekers (2025), is an uncompromising interrogation of Ireland’s inhuman asylum system and a dedication to those resisting it. His second feature, Útóipe Cheilteach (2025), a ballad tour through postcolonial Ireland, premiered at Locarno. With a cinema vérité approach and a particular sensitivity to the human, Dennis’ work interrogates the political through the personal. He is a member of the European Film Academy. He is a member of Noncitizen, a film collective which works to hand over the means of making films to migrants. Útóipe Cheilteach / Celtic Utopia What do we do with the violent history we’ve inherited? Do we accept a repressive culture as is, or do we reshape it in our own image? In a world where oppression, occupation and war have become ambient, Útóipe Cheilteach plays at a different frequency, where hope is possible and a brighter future may be realised. Featuring music from artists including The Mary Wallopers, Poor Creature and Lankum, Celtic Utopia tells the story of a new Ireland and its vibrant music scene, but also that of a post-colonial society wrestling with its heritage. A society where folk music carries both the oppression of the past and the dream of a bright future. The Irish folk music renaissance sees artists coming from punk, hip-hop, and beyond, rediscovering an ancient tradition and taking it in unexpected directions. Winner of the Grand Prix Semaine de la Critique at Locarno Film Festival and the Audience Award at Leeds International Film Festival 2025. Capital Irish Film Festival Solas Nua’s annual Capital Irish Film Festival in Washington, D.C., presents one of the largest programmes of Irish cinema in North America, showcasing the latest Irish dramatic and documentary features, shorts, art films and animation releases by Irish and Ireland-based filmmakers. Read more on SolasNua.org , follow Capital Irish Film Festival on FilmFreeway here. Docs Ireland Docs Ireland is Ireland’s international documentary film festival. It celebrates the best of new international documentary filmmaking and showcases the work of Ireland’s indigenous non-fiction culture and creatives. It is highly regarded internationally for its cutting-edge film programming and distinctive industry initiatives. Established in 2019 as the sister festival of the long-standing Belfast Film Festival, Docs Ireland takes place each June in Belfast. Over the years, the podcast has featured acclaimed guests such as Phyllida Lloyd , Lenny Abrahamson , M. Night Shyamalan , John Boorman, Saoirse Ronan, Colin Farrell, Aisha Tyler, Colm Meaney, Paul Reiser , Niamh Algar, David Freyne, Ciarán Donnelly, Joshua Oppenheimer, John Crowley, Niamh Algar, Gene Stupnitsky , and Terence Davies , alongside many of the most influential voices working in film and television today. So make sure to subscribe and listen back! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Film Ireland, supported by the Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland Stakeholders Fund, are delighted to present Out of the Box , the first in a six-part podcast series exploring different perspectives in media today. Hosted by writer and filmmaker Róisín Kearney , each episode features conversations with people paving the way for greater equity and inclusion in the screen industries. Together, they discuss what has worked so far, what still needs to be done, and how we can all ensure that all creative voices are properly heard. For the inaugural discussion, Róisín sits down with Paul FitzSimons , a writer, musician and producer who founded Prelude Content to create high-end film and television drama; and Dan Airey , presenter, producer, filmmaker and one half of the award-winning podcast duo behind Dan and Darragh Do Ability . Out of the Box Media has always played a powerful role in shaping society. When public health campaigns in the United States sought to promote the idea of a designated driver and reduce road deaths among young men, they turned to popular television shows such as Cheers , L.A. Law and The Cosby Show to help shift public attitudes. Since its inception, media has influenced how we see the world...and each other. So what happens when that media does not reflect the full breadth of society? What happens when people are told which stories they can tell, who they can tell them about, or how those stories should be told? There have been countless studies examining how marginalised communities are perceived by wider society, but far fewer exploring how people from those communities perceive society itself. This series seeks to contribute to that conversation, placing those perspectives front and centre. Paul FitzSimons Paul is a producer, screenwriter and tutor with 15 years' experience in the film industry. He runs Prelude Content, producing films and TV dramas, working with creatives in Ireland, the UK, Spain and Japan. He recently produced feature film Verdigris , which premiered at the Galway Film Fleadh, won awards at festivals around the world, was nominated for five IFTA awards and was released in April 2025. Paul is now producing the comedy series Starless and developing a number of features and TV dramas.He has a postgraduate diploma in Advanced Producing from TU Dublin and is an EAVE Producers’ Workshop graduate. Paul was previously Development Executive at production company Danú Media. He also wrote and produced the feature film The Gift (2017, OC Productions, 15A) and worked as a story writer on the Irish TV drama Fair City . Dan Airey Dan Airey is a presenter, podcaster, producer and filmmaker. He is the co-producer and co-presenter of the award-winning Dan and Darragh Do Ability Podcast , which features conversations with people with disabilities, encouraging listeners to see the world through different perspectives. Dan holds a four-year degree in Creative Digital Media and a Master’s in Broadcast Production for TV and Radio. He has worked across multiple genres and formats, from short documentary to prime-time television. His short film L.I.F.E. (Live. It. Fully. Everyday) was written and directed as part of the Virgin Media Sharp Shorts 2023 initiative, exploring themes of resilience and identity. Other production credits include the documentaries A Deluge of Memories and Swim With Richard , which centre on powerful human stories. He has worked as a researcher on major RTÉ programmes including Angela Scanlon’s Ask Me Anything , The Late Late Show , and The Late Late Toy Show , and has contributed to content development for future programming. Over the years, the podcast has featured acclaimed guests such as Phyllida Lloyd , Lenny Abrahamson , M. Night Shyamalan , John Boorman, Saoirse Ronan, Colin Farrell, Aisha Tyler, Colm Meaney, Paul Reiser , Niamh Algar, David Freyne, Ciarán Donnelly, Joshua Oppenheimer, John Crowley, Niamh Algar, Gene Stupnitsky , and Terence Davies , alongside many of the most influential voices working in film and television today. So make sure to subscribe and listen back! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This year, Bloomsday Film Festival will present a special screening of Ulysses, New York - an ambitious 24-part adaptation of Ulysses introduced by director, Caveh Zahedi and hosted by Irish filmmaker Dean Kavanagh . Caveh is an American autobiographical filmmaker celebrated for his experimental, self-reflexive and adventurous work across film, web series, and podcasting. In this podcast, we catch up with Caveh to chat about his art, craft, and plans for the festival. Listen now on SoundCloud, Apple, Spotify, Acast and Amazon, or subscribe to Film Ireland wherever you get your podcasts or watch the original recording here. https://www.filmireland.net/podcast-filmmaker-caveh-zahedi-ulysses-new-york-at-bloomsday-film-festival This screening and talk will be taken place on 12th June 2026 7pm to 8:30pm in Belvedere College. Get your tickets here . The Bloomsday Festival runs from 11th–16th June, with screenings hosted at the historic James Joyce Centre and the Irish Film Institute (IFI). About Ulysses, New York An Introduction with Director Caveh Zahedi Ulysses, New York is an ambitious 24-part adaptation of James Joyce’s Ulysses by Caveh Zahedi, an American autobiographical filmmaker known for his self-reflexive and formally adventurous approach to cinema. His feature films include Autobiographical Filmmaker Seeks Camera-Friendly Companion (2025), The Sheik and I (2012), I Am a Sex Addict (2005), In the Bathtub of the World (2001), I Don’t Hate Las Vegas Anymore (1994), and A Little Stiff (1991). He is also the creator of the web series The Show About the Show and the writer/host of the podcast 365 Stories I Want To Tell You Before We Both Die . With Ulysses, New York, Zahedi attempts to do to Joyce’s Ulysses what Joyce did to Homer’s The Odyssey : transpose a canonical work into a new time, place and form. The events of 16 June 1904 in Dublin are reimagined as taking place on 16 June 2022 in New York City, on the centenary of the novel’s publication. Following eight actors performing in a Bloomsday stage production of Ulysses , the film moves between Joyce’s chapters onstage and the corresponding hours of the actors’ real day. This special presentation features a work-in-progress version of the introductory episode, followed by a discussion with Zahedi on the challenges of adapting Joyce. Bloomsday Film Festival Ireland’s most literary film festival was established as a celebration of cinema, literature, and artistic innovation, inspired by the far-reaching influence of Ireland’s father of modernism, James Joyce. The festival is presented in partnership with the Bloomsday Festival and the James Joyce Centre, and runs from 11–16 June, with screenings hosted at the historic James Joyce Centre and the Irish Film Institute (IFI). Continuing its annual traditions, the festival marks the birthday of W.B. Yeats on 13 June with a curated programme of poetry and literature-inspired short films. On 14 June, in keeping with Joyce’s radical and experimental spirit, the programme showcases a selection of innovative experimental films. The following day, 15 June, celebrates the anniversary of the publication of Dubliners with screenings of Joycean short films and adaptations of Dublin-based stories. Alongside its cinematic programme, the Bloomsday Film Festival presents a diverse range of events, including director Q&As, workshops, musical performances, and poetry readings. At its core, the festival is committed to fostering artistic innovation - championing filmmakers who forge their own paths and create work that pushes the boundaries of the medium, in the same pioneering spirit that defined Joyce’s literary legacy. Check out the programme & get tickets at www.bloomsdayfestival.ie . Over the years, the podcast has featured acclaimed guests such as Phyllida Lloyd , Lenny Abrahamson , M. Night Shyamalan , John Boorman, Saoirse Ronan, Colin Farrell, Aisha Tyler, Colm Meaney, Paul Reiser , Niamh Algar, David Freyne, Ciarán Donnelly, Joshua Oppenheimer, John Crowley, Niamh Algar, Gene Stupnitsky , and Terence Davies , alongside many of the most influential voices working in film and television today. So make sure to subscribe and listen back! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Recorded live at RENDR 2026 we caught up with Oscar-shortlisted animator and acclaimed storyboard artist Giovanna Ferrari about her latest short film Éiru. With a career spanning major European productions and some of Ireland’s most celebrated animated features, Ferrari reflects on her creative journey, the rewards and challenges of storyboarding, and the evolving language of animation. From her early work in France to her current role at Cartoon Saloon , she discusses the collaborative process behind award-winning films, as well as the personal inspiration driving her own directorial work. In partnership with RENDR Festival and supported by the National Talent Academy for VFX , this series of talks was recorded in The Spinners Mill Studio , a podcast and DJ studio based in Banana Block offering tailored solutions for DJ sessions, small-scale events and podcasting from concept to final distribution. About Giovanna Ferrari Since the early 2000s, Giovanna has worked on several feature films across Europe both as Storyboard Artist and Animator. After working in France for 10 years, she moved to Ireland and worked with Cartoon Saloon on a number of projects, including Song of The Sea , The Breadwinner and Wolfwalkers . Recently she was Head of Story and Animation Director of Cartoon Saloon’s new feature film My Father’s Dragon produced by Netflix and directed by Nora Twomey. Giovanna’s storyboarding on The Breadwinner was awarded with an Emile Award in 2018. ÉIRU , a short film written and directed by Giovanna, and produced by Cartoon Saloon was one of 15 Animated Short Films shortlisted for the 98th Academy Awards® and has screened at festivals all across the globe. Éiru is the smallest child of a mighty and powerful clan of Iron age Irish warriors. When the village well mysteriously dries up, she can finally prove herself worthy of her clan's name by descending into the belly of the earth and facing whoever or whatever has stolen their water. RENDR Festival This is a unique event celebrating creative craft and artistry in a fully immersive two-day festival exploring the space between Creativity and Technology. Ignite your imagination with inspiring speakers from the worlds of Film, Gaming, Animation, Immersive, and more! Learn from the best, with 30+ creatives from the likes of Netflix, Pixar, Walt Disney Studios and Epic Games among others. Witness creative uses of new technology, explore the gallery of digital art, chow down at the food village or play in the arcade. You will be transported to the future, and provide you with unforgettable and inspirational nights. Like nothing you have experienced before, our unique combination is guaranteed to provide two nights you can’t miss. Come for the talks, stay for the experience! National Talent Academy for Visual Effects As the newest of the Academies, the National Talent Academy for VFX provides support and opportunities for anyone interested in a career in VFX. Launched in 2024, the National Talent Academy for VFX is an initiative of Fis Eireann/Screen Ireland, managed by Cultural & Creative Industries Skillnet. Their mission is to transform aspiring VFX artists into industry-ready professionals while providing ongoing upskilling opportunities for current talent. Through comprehensive courses and programmess, we introduce participants to best practices both locally and globally, creating clear pathways and solidifying Ireland’s reputation as a premier destination for VFX. The National Talent Academy for VFX is dedicated to attracting individuals from diverse backgrounds and disciplines, fostering greater awareness of VFX as a viable and exciting career choice. Learn more about the work they do here Over the years, the podcast has featured acclaimed guests such as Phyllida Lloyd , Lenny Abrahamson , M. Night Shyamalan , John Boorman, Saoirse Ronan, Colin Farrell, Aisha Tyler, Colm Meaney, Paul Reiser , Niamh Algar, David Freyne, Ciarán Donnelly, Joshua Oppenheimer, John Crowley, Niamh Algar, Gene Stupnitsky , and Terence Davies , alongside many of the most influential voices working in film and television today. So make sure to subscribe and listen back! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In episode 26 of the DocArena Podcast , Ross Whitaker catches up once again with BAFTA Award-winning director John Dower ( Lockerbie , Thriller in Manila , My Scientology Movie ) to discuss his latest film, The Balloonists . In cinemas on 22nd May, this gripping documentary follows explorer Bertrand Piccard and British flying instructor Brian Jones as they take on the world’s top aeronauts and billionaires in a high-stakes race to become the first to fly nonstop around the globe in a balloon. This podcast has been made possible with the support of the Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland Stakeholders Fund. Listen now on SoundCloud, Apple, Spotify, Acast and Amazon, or subscribe to Film Ireland wherever you get your podcasts . Welcome to The DocArena Podcast in association with Film Ireland. My name is Ross Whitaker and every fortnight, I want to dig deeply into the motivations of documentary filmmakers – how do they choose their subject material and what approaches and strategies do they employ to fund, craft and distribute their work… John Dower John Dower is a British director who recently won a BAFTA for his series Lockerbie . His feature Thriller in Manila played at Sundance in 2009, went on to be BAFTA and Emmy-nominated, and won a Grierson and a Peabody. His film Bradley Wiggins: A Year In Yellow was BAFTA nominated in the Best Director category. John's other films include the music documentary Live Forever , My Scientology Movie , the Netflix series Sophie – A Murder in West Cork , and The Mystery of DB Cooper , described by The Guardian as, “a real-life Twin Peaks … highly entertaining” and the Times calling it “all but flawless.” The Balloonists The Balloonists , a thrilling new documentary opens in the winter of 1999, when Piccard - from a family of record-breaking explorers - and Jones set out to complete the last great aviation challenge of the 20th century: circumnavigating the globe nonstop in a hot-air balloon. With rival teams launching across the world, the race is on to secure a place in the history books. Working together, they must overcome extreme weather conditions, survive potentially fatal technical failures, and endure mounting mental and physical exhaustion. An exhilarating ride through breathtaking heights and perilous challenges, The Balloonists is a life-affirming story of adventure, obsession and friendship - drawn from a rich archive capturing the highs and lows of their extraordinary journey. The Balloonists is produced by Rise Films, the Oscar-winning company behind Icarus , All That Breathes , Nuisance Bear , The Invisible War , The Interrupters and George Carlin’s American Dream . The film is produced in association with Anonymous Content and Red Bull Studios. In Irish cinemas 22 May 2026. Check out more DocArena episodes here Podcast music composed by michaelflemingmusic.com Ross Whitaker is a filmmaker and former editor of Film Ireland Magazine and programmer of the IFI Dublin Documentary Film Festival @RossWhitakerTV Ross is a producer and/or director of the feature documentaries Beat the Lotto (2025), Katie (2018), Between Land and Sea (2016), Unbreakable (2014) and Saviours (2007). His recent work includes the TV documentaries This Is Open Country (2025) for NBC/Sky, Birdsong (2024) for RTÉ (+ BBC, ARTE), Rachael Blackmore: A Grand Year (2021) for ITV/RTÉ, Barney Curley Beat the Bookies (2021) for BBC/RTÉ and The Boys in Green (2020) for RTÉ. His short documentaries include the award-winning Bye Bye Now (2009) and Home Turf (2011), as well as the documentary commercial Sleeping Flags (2019), which won prestigious D&AD and Cannes Lions Awards. Over the years, the podcast has featured acclaimed guests such as Phyllida Lloyd , Lenny Abrahamson , M. Night Shyamalan , John Boorman, Saoirse Ronan, Colin Farrell, Aisha Tyler, Colm Meaney, Paul Reiser , Niamh Algar, David Freyne, Ciarán Donnelly, Joshua Oppenheimer, John Crowley, Niamh Algar, Gene Stupnitsky , and Terence Davies , alongside many of the most influential voices working in film and television today. So make sure to subscribe and listen back! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this Film Ireland Podcast, we catch up with writer/director Róisín Kearney whose latest short, ÉIST , starring Stephen Rea , is set to premiere at the F astnet Film Festival on Sunday 24th May following its Puttnam Script Award win. Róisín has established a career across film, TV and theatre, from directing RTÉ documentary series Keep It Up to producing award-winning shorts including The Ferry and Prodigy . She directed the short multi-award-winning short PADDY, which screened at festivals around the world. In this episode, Róisín joins fellow filmmaker Rachel Melita to talk about coming back into the industry, the realities of funding and development, directing documentary versus drama, writing authentic characters, and the collaborative process of bringing ÉIST to life. ÉIST Starring Stephen Rea, Aaron Monaghan, and Louis Kirwan, Éíst is written and directed by Róisín Kearney and produced by her long-time collaborator Caroline Grace-Cassidy as well as Kevin Cassidy for Document Films. Éíst is a meditation on memory, loss, and childhood trauma, explored through the quiet bravery of a young boy who listens. When he hears his ailing grandfather cry out, he hatches a plan to break him out of his nursing home and return him to his island home, where he hopes to make peace with the ocean that claimed his brother’s life. A story of innocence and empathy, the film explores a child’s sense of fairness as he breaks the rules to fulfil his grandfather’s wish. A story of innocence and empathy, Éíst explores a child’s sense of fairness as he breaks the rules to fulfil his grandfather’s wish. Shot on location in West Cork, the film's cinematography is by Eleanor Bowman. Éíst will premiere at Fastnet Film Festival on Sunday, 24th May in the Palace Cinema at Schull Harbour Hotel. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with Róisín Kearney, Caroline Grace-Cassidy, Stephen Rea, David and Patsy Puttnam, Jean Van Sindern Law, moderated by John Kelleher. Róisín Kearney Beginning her career in theatre lighting design and stage direction, Roisin moved into film after working on low-budget independent productions in the late 1990s and early 2000s. She later stepped back to focus on family, working on the periphery of the industry in script development and copywriting for producers. She returned to writing with the comedy short The Love Agency (2014), later developed as a radio play. Her film work includes The Ballad of Olive Morris (EP, shortlisted BAFTA 2023), The Secret Life of Jim (producer, multiple award winner), PADDY (director, premiered Galway Film Fleadh 2020), The Ferry (co-producer, Academy long-listed 2021), The Family Way (writer/producer, shortlisted EdFest New Voice Award), RUN (co-writer/director, premiered Galway Film Fleadh 2019 and toured internationally), No Dogs (writer/director, nominated Best Female Director Cork Indie FF), and Keep It Up (hybrid documentary series for Macalla Teo and RTÉ, Celtic Media Festival nominated). She is also producer of the award-winning radio play Adventures of a Young Pirate Queen , now in its third season on RTÉ Jr Radio. Her projects in development include Playing For Ireland (documentary, Tile Media), RIP (comedy drama series, Babyjane Productions, Screen Ireland supported), Spoke (feature film, Roundstone Media, Screen Ireland supported), Moon Walk (theatre, Arts Council supported), and Like, Vintage (comedy drama feature, with Caroline Grace Cassidy and Document Films). She has also developed TV scripts including Patrius (Belfast crime thriller) and Bloodlines (blue-sky drama series). Over the years, the podcast has featured acclaimed guests such as Phyllida Lloyd , Lenny Abrahamson , M. Night Shyamalan , John Boorman, Saoirse Ronan, Colin Farrell, Aisha Tyler, Colm Meaney, Paul Reiser , Niamh Algar, David Freyne, Ciarán Donnelly, Joshua Oppenheimer, John Crowley, Niamh Algar, Gene Stupnitsky , and Terence Davies , alongside many of the most influential voices working in film and television today. So make sure to subscribe and listen back! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this Film Ireland podcast, recorded live on location in Washington, D.C. at the Capital Irish Film Festival, Gemma Creagh chats with producer, writer and director Ruán Magan his films Báite and Daniel O'Connell: The Emancipator , which were both screening in the programme. Presented annually by Solas Nua, the 20th edition of the Capital Irish Film Festival ran from 26th February to 1st March 2026, presenting one of the largest programmes of Irish cinema in North America. We learn more about the great work they do by catching up with the festival's director Maedhbh Mc Cullagh. Finally we hear from some of the attendees at the event... Báite A woman's body is found under the waters of a lake in the countryside, and the arrival of a Detective from Dublin is the last thing Peggy, the owner of Casey's Pub, needs as she tries to save her business and her family. Daniel O'Connell: The Emancipator Narrated by Domhnall Gleeson, this hour-long documentary explores the life and legacy of Daniel O’Connell to mark the 250th anniversary of his birth in 2025. Ruán Magan Ruán is a producer, writer and director whose work in drama, documentary and stadium events has reached audiences of millions throughout the world. Having begun his career in the movie business, Ruán has worked as an assistant director and location manger in major Hollywood films including Far & Away, The Devil’s Own and Michael Collins . Ruán established Create One in 1996 spurred by the ideal of creating high end content that explored and celebrated the human condition. The company’s first production was a documentary presented by the writer and playright, Manchán Magan filmed in India. This led to a long collaboration which saw the two brothers producing 30 documentaries filmed in India, South America, the Middle East, the USA, Europe and China. In 1998, Create One produced By Design . This 6 part documentary series produced by Ruán Magan in collaboration with Fox Laurber and Little Bird, design expert, Garrett O’Hagan and directer, Geoff Dunlop, looked at the crucial role that design plays in the human world. It aired across Europe and the US. Since then Ruán has continued to produce project through Create One while also embarking on an international career that has seen him direct and produce projects in the US, Europe and China for Discovery, History Channel, Smithsonian, BBC, ARTE and Tencent. Drama projects directed by Ruán Magan include Báite (Danu Media), Wrecking The Rising / Éirí Amach Amú (Tile Films), Éoinín na nÉan (TG4) and Angel (Create One). His screenplays No Fury and The Noticer . Maedhbh Mc Cullagh Maedhbh is a multidisciplinary cultural producer, arts programmer and creative consultant. For more than two decades she has been producing and managing artistic programs, presentations, productions, and special events for international festivals, cultural institutes and organizations, in Europe and the US, including appointments as the Associate Director of Irish Screen America, Managing Director of the world-renowned Abrons Arts Center, independent freelance producer at Performance Space NY, The Civilians Theater Company, The Foundry Theatre, the Alliance of Resident Theatres, and program director of the international Dublin Fringe Festival. About Capital Irish Film Festival Solas Nua’s annual Capital Irish Film Festival in Washington, D.C., presents one of the largest programmes of Irish cinema in North America, showcasing the latest Irish dramatic and documentary features, shorts, art films and animation releases by Irish and Ireland-based filmmakers. The festival provides a US platform that amplifies the work of independent filmmakers working in Ireland and beyond, and celebrates the strength of Ireland’s contemporary cinematic culture. The programme highlights the country’s rich cultural heritage while fostering an inclusive and diverse community of Irish filmmakers. Over the years, the podcast has featured acclaimed guests such as Phyllida Lloyd , Lenny Abrahamson , M. Night Shyamalan , John Boorman, Saoirse Ronan, Colin Farrell, Aisha Tyler, Colm Meaney, Paul Reiser , Niamh Algar, David Freyne, Ciarán Donnelly, Joshua Oppenheimer, John Crowley, Niamh Algar, Gene Stupnitsky , and Terence Davies , alongside many of the most influential voices working in film and television today. So make sure to subscribe and listen back! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.