Film Ireland Podcast

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.iePresented 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-utopiaDennis HarveyDennis 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 UtopiaWhat 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 FestivalSolas 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 IrelandDocs 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.

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-festivalThis 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 FestivalIreland’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.

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 DowerJohn 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 BalloonistsThe 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 herePodcast music composed by michaelflemingmusic.comRoss Whitaker is a filmmaker and former editor of Film Ireland Magazine and programmer of the IFI Dublin Documentary Film Festival @RossWhitakerTVRoss 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, 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...BáiteA 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 FestivalSolas 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.

Recorded at the 2026 edition of the Berlin International Film Festival, this episode sees Naemi Victoria catching up with two impactful and thought-provoking films screening at the festival.First, she speaks with filmmaker Fanny Texier about her powerful short A Woman’s Place Is Everywhere, which won The Silver Bear Jury Prize for Best Short Film. Set in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, the film identical twin sisters Emilija and Ona as they face grief, looming eviction and an uncertain future after the sudden death of their mother. Then, Naemi is joined by director Fil Ieropoulos and writer Foivos Dousos to discuss Uchronia, a bold and visually expansive docu-essay inspired by Arthur Rimbaud’s Une Saison en Enfer. The film follows the ghost of the French poet on a time-travelling journey through alternative histories, revolutionary politics and queer resistance.A Woman’s Place Is Everywhere Identical twin sisters Emilija and Ona have lived in a rent-controlled warehouse loft in Williamsburg, Brooklyn for as long as they can remember. After the sudden death of their mother – a Lithuanian artist and dancer who first called the loft home in the 1970s – they find themselves on the brink of eviction. The neighbourhood has transformed; the landlord wants them out. Adding to the turmoil, Ona discovers she is pregnant. Fanny TexierThe documentary filmmaker was born in Paris, France and is now based in Brooklyn. She studied journalism at the University of Montreal and has a master’s degree from the Sorbonne. As a feminist director, she is drawn to intimate and unusual stories, particularly those of women and individuals who are under-represented in traditional media. Her work has been presented by organisations including HBO, Netflix, “The New Yorker”, the BBC and Showtime. She recently participated in the Film at Lincoln Center Artists Academy and the newportFILM lab to develop her debut feature-length documentary.UchroniaIn this docu-essay inspired by Arthur Rimbaud’s “Une Saison en Enfer”, we meet the French poet’s ghost embarking on a time-travel adventure. His delirious visions become portals opening onto alternative timelines – or “uchronias”. Rimbaud gains the opportunity to meet revolutionary figures such as Emma Goldman, David Wojnarowicz and Marsha P. Johnson. Together, they explore the possibility of social change and reflect on the meaning of revolution in times of disillusionment. Inspired by the rich history of 20th-century experimental queer cinema, the film is a celebration of enfants terribles and dissident freaks across the globe. Ultimately, the film considers the current political milieu and its parallels with Rimbaud’s own time. Could post-internet ennui and widespread defeatism be understood through the eyes of a late 19th-century decadent poet? Fil Ieropoulos, DirectorFil studied film, cultural studies and communication in the UK, completing a PhD in film poetry at the University of Kent in 2010. Since 2003, he has been a senior lecturer at Buckinghamshire New University, teaching video art, film theory and animation. His first feature, Orfeas2021, premiered at the Thessaloniki International Film Festival and was nominated for Greek Film Academy awards. His second feature, Avant-Drag!, premiered at the International Film Festival Rotterdam and has been selected for over 70 international festivals, earning a Special Jury Mention at the Thessaloniki International Documentary Festival.Foivos Dousos, WriterFoivos completed his PhD on narcissism in new media cultures in 2019. He was a contributing curator for the Athens Biennale and was a founding member of Sound Acts Festival, the Athens Museum of Queer Arts (AMOQA) and the publishing initiative Queer Ink. In his creative practice as part of the artistic duo FYTA, he has performed in Athens, Geneva, Berlin and London. FYTA's work problematizes Greek identity and nationalism and often employs playfulness, humour and irony.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, Gemma Creagh sits down with Dungannon actor Fra Fee to chat about his impressive catalogue of work that spans stage, film & TV, while delving into those key moments that shaped his career.From his breakout screen role as Courfeyrac in Les Misérables to performances in local films including Animals & Boys From County Hell, Fra has built a strong presence on screen, balancing indie projects against large-scale productions like Hawkeye on Disney+ & Zack Snyder's Rebel Moon.Now, Unchosen is available to stream on Netflix, in which he plays the enigmatic & manipulative Sam. Fra discusses his approach to this complex, morally ambiguous role, the contrast in working across different mediums, & how he develops a character from script to performance.This podcast has been made possible with the support of the Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland Stakeholders Fund.Listen now to the podcast on SoundCloud, Apple, Spotify, Acast & Amazon, subscribe to Film Ireland wherever you get your podcasts or watch the original recording back:https://www.filmireland.net/podcast-actor-fra-fee-unchosen-rebel-moon-hawkeyeAbout Fra FeeImmediately after graduating from the Royal Academy of Music, Dungannon actor Fra landed a role in the West End production of Dirty Dancing. Since then, he has worked consistently across stage & screen. Recently, Fra Fee starred in the leading role of Emcee in the Olivier Award-winning production of Cabaret in the West End. Fra also appeared in Jez Butterworth’s critically acclaimed run, The Ferryman at the Royal Court Theatre, London’s West End & on Broadway. Fra won the 2018 WhatsOnStage Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Play, for his role in the show. Fra’s other theatre credits include Translations & As You Like It, both at the National Theatre, the World Premiere of The Wind in the Willows, & the title role in Candide at the Menier Chocolate Factory. On screen, Fra is known for his portrayal of Courfeyrac in Tom Hooper's film adaptation of Les Misérables. In 2021, he appeared as Kazi in the Disney+ series Hawkeye, which is set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He worked with director Zack Snyder, starring as Balisarius in Rebel Moon Part 1 & 2. He also had roles in Animals, Boys From County Hell, Pixie & The Laureate.UnchosenAll six episodes are available to stream on Netflix now.Molly Windsor & Asa Butterfield (Sex Education) star alongside Christopher Eccleston, Siobhan Finneran, & Fra in the series from Intergalactic writer/creator Julie Gearey. This psychological thriller takes viewers behind the closed doors of a fictional conservative religious sect.Unchosen follows Rosie, who lives in a cloistered Christian community with her husband, Adam (Butterfield) & their daughter. The fateful arrival of the mysterious Sam, an escaped prisoner, throws into relief the reality & restraints of Rosie’s world: Perhaps her hidden religious community doesn’t have her best interests at heart. As cracks begin to appear in Rosie & Adam’s marriage, Sam presents himself as Rosie’s savior. But with his dark criminal past, where does the greatest danger lie - with the cult, or with Sam?Sam is an escaped convict who was arrested as a teen for a deadly crime. He quickly integrates himself into the fellowship & uses his powers of coercion to become a pillar of the community. While balancing an affair with Rosie & flirtation with Adam, Sam lives in fear of being sent back to prison. “He is fiercely intelligent, highly manipulative, & able to get what he wants by abusing other characters’ insecurities or their weaknesses,” Fee tells Tudum. “A lot of the time, I don’t think it’s necessarily premeditated. He’s just very reactionary & a real survivor.” Figuring out how to play Sam was a lesson in embracing the grey areas. Because the character’s intentions were often murky & complex, Gearey encouraged Fee to never “fully dot the i’s or cross the t’s” in scenes. “There always had to be room for an alternative intention,” Fee explains. 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, Gemma Creagh catches up with writer/director David Gleeson ahead of the release of his semi-autobiographical feature Once Upon a Time in a Cinema. Growing up in a family-run cinema, he was immersed in the magic of the big screen...an influence that continues to shape his work today. He talks about his unusual start in the industry (including working in oil exploration in the Arctic Circle) and how he made the transition to selling scripts in the US.Listen now on SoundCloud, Apple, Spotify, Acast and Amazon, or subscribe to Film Ireland wherever you get your podcasts.You can listen on SoundCloud, Apple, Spotify, Acast and Amazon, or watch the original video recording here: https://www.filmireland.net/podcast-director-writer-david-gleeson-once-upon-a-time-in-a-cinemaA dramatic night at the movies meets a powerful love letter to the cinema experience in Once Upon a Time in a Cinema, the new feature from acclaimed filmmaker David Gleeson (Tolkien, Don’t Go, The Front Line, Cowboys & Angels). Set over the course of one eventful evening in a cinema in 1980s Ireland, a cinema owner wrestles with the legacy of the past and the challenges of the future in a drama that is funny, wise and rings of authenticity. Featuring a blend of some of Ireland’s most-respected actors and exciting new talent, Once Upon a Time in a Cinema, is set over one night at the movies - where the plot twists offscreen are as surprising as any of those onscreen. Renowned Irish actor Colin Morgan (Belfast, Merlin) plays Earl Clancy, the manager of a small-town cinema who is firefighting the Friday night from hell while mulling over the sale of his cinema to a shady politician. Like James Stewart in It’s a Wonderful Life, his journey leads him to realise his value to the community. Once Upon a Time in a Cinema is in cinemas 1st May 2026.David GleesonBorn to a family of Irish cinema-owners who opened their first theater in 1942, David grew up steeped in all things celluloid. Following a colourful and varied path, including a 5-year stint in oil exploration deep inside the Arctic Circle, Gleeson made his feature film debut as a writer/director with 2003's Cowboys & Angels. A youth comedy/drama set in his native Limerick, Cowboys & Angels was released in cinemas by Buena Vista International (Disney). The film won eight international film awards including Best Screenplay at Newport Beach (U.S.) and two Gold Medal Awards at Giffoni (Italy). The New York Times commented, [the film] 'offers a fresh mix of open-minded intelligence and a heartfelt point of view,' while The Chicago Tribune commented, 'Stack "Cowboys" against most of the fare American studios offer young adults and it's meatier by far'. Gleeson's next film which he also wrote and directed, the crime drama The Front Line, was released in cinemas in 2006 also through Buena Vista Intl. In 2008, Gleeson sold his time travel sci-fi spec screenplay The End of History to Sony Pictures. He followed this up over the next decade with several more spec sales and commissions to studios including Walt Disney Pictures, Fox Searchlight, Focus Features, 20th Century Fox, Mattel Studios and Paramount Pictures. In July 2017, Gleeson wrote and directed Don't Go starring Stephen Dorff and Melissa George. In May 2019, Fox Searchlight Pictures released Tolkien, a Chernin Entertainment production based on Gleeson's original screenplay about the legendary author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, J. R. R. Tolkien. Now, the semi-autobiographical Once Upon a Time in a Cinema is about to hit cinemas. Gleeson continues to work in wildly different genres and is currently in preproduction on a musical comedy called Violence, Foul Language and Scenes of a Sexual Nature.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 senior entertainment executive Scott Farris to discuss his role in shaping global franchise storytelling.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.In this conversation, Scott discusses his experiences in the changing world of TV development, offering insight into how large-scale projects are developed from the ground up. He discusses the realities of working with major IP, the collaborative processes behind franchise storytelling, and how the industry is evolving in response to changing audience expectations, technology, and global demand.Follow the journey of State of the Arts here: https://www.instagram.com/sotapod/Read more about the podcast here: https://www.filmireland.net/state-of-the-arts-podcast-senior-entertainment-executive-scott-farris-with-des-doyle/Scott FarrisScott is a senior entertainment executive with over 15 years of experience shaping global franchise storytelling. One of the earliest creative hires at Amazon MGM Studios and Prime Video, he helped build the studio from the ground up and played a key role in establishing Amazon as a major force in premium television.Scott pioneered Amazon's strategy for adapting global gaming franchises, securing and developing landmark properties including God of War, Mass Effect, Warhammer 40K, and The Sims, as well as the breakout hit Fallout, which drew over 100 million viewers worldwide and earned 16 Emmy nominations.Beyond gaming, his work focuses on large-scale worldbuilding and IP-driven storytelling, with projects including Mike Flanagan’s upcoming adaptation of Stephen King’s Carrie, RoboCop with James Wan, and Fourth Wing, based on Rebecca Yarros’ bestselling romantasy phenomenon. Scott is particularly passionate about the intersection of creativity, technology, fandom, and the future of franchise storytelling.Des DoyleDes is a D.I.T. graduate who spent fifteen years working in the Camera Department in the Irish film industry 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 and 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 based on briefs they provide, and created the LA Writers Room Placements scheme, which allowed Irish writers to travel to LA and spend time in real-world US TV series writers’ rooms.He has also lectured on Showrunning, US TV Production and the Future of Content at USC Los Angeles, Rowan University Philadelphia, Scriptmakers Berlin, APIT TV Producers Conference Lisbon, Northern Ireland Screen, IADT Dublin, Writers Guild of Ireland and as part of the recent Greenlight Screenwriting Labs in Galway. He is currently developing a new documentary series, which is a US/Irish co-production, as well as providing creative consultancy services to Irish producers, writers and directors with projects targeting the US or global streaming markets.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.

How is important art and fandom shaped? In today’s episode, we’re joined by more wonderful LGBTQIA creatives from starGAZE: multidisciplinary artist Venus Patel, writer/filmmaker Jack Warren and director, screenwriter, and concept artist Stephen T. Lally discuss their literal journeys, professional achievements, the films and art that inspired them, and the impact starGAZE has had on their careers so far.We’re delighted to partner with the GAZE International LGBTQIA Film Festival and the National Talent Academy for Film & TV Drama to celebrate this year’s starGAZE participants.starGAZE, the professional development initiative supporting six emerging LGBTQIA filmmakers, returns for its third year in 2026. Applications are now open and will close at 5pm on Monday 20th April. For more information on how to apply, visit www.nationaltalentacademies.ie/film-tv.Listen now on SoundCloud, Apple, Spotify, Acast & Amazon, or subscribe to Film Ireland wherever you get your podcasts.Here's the link to the podcast with Vera Drew, mentioned in the discussion:https://www.filmireland.net/podcast-vera-drew-director-co-writer-of-the-peoples-joker/Venus Patel is an award-winning multidisciplinary artist working in film, theatre & visual arts. Her work examines social conformity & Queer/POC suppression through the lens of absurdity, informed by her experiences as a trans woman of colour. Her debut short film, Eggshells, which she directed, wrote & acted in, premiered at GAZE Film Festival & won the RDS Taylor Art Award & the Image Now Multimedia Award. Her most recent short film, Daisy: Prophet of the Apocalypse, has screened at film festivals across the US, the UK, Ireland, Germany, & France, & won an Audience Award from Translations: Seattle Trans Film Festival. Her film work has been exhibited in the Crawford Art Gallery, the Complex, IMMA, Butler Gallery & Hypha Gallery (Mayfair, London).Jack Warren is a writer/filmmaker based in Dublin. Their award-winning short films have screened all over the world, including: Papergirl, which has screened at GAZE, Final Girls Berlin, Body is Reality: Trans Horror on Screen at the Irish Film Institute & the Trans Genre, Trans Form Film Festival, where it took home the audience prize; Toxic Astrology Ex-Best Friends, which has screened at the FRINGE! Queer Film & Arts Fest & TITE; and Artemis, which screened at the Woodstock Film Festival. Jack recently took home the Bronze Prize from Soho Horror Film Festival for their horror comedy short Blair’s Craft Projects, where it was honoured by Eduardo Sanchez (The Blair Witch Project) & Jed Shepherd (Host). Jack’s screenplay Violent Delights was selected to be pitched at the American Cinematheque’s PROOF Festival, as well as selected for workshop by Stowe Story Labs and the NTAs Writers’ Club, facilitated through the GALPAL Collective. Stephen T. Lally is an award-winning queer director, screenwriter & concept artist known for his visually inventive storytelling & commitment to LGBTQIA narratives that blend humour with heart. A graduate of Technological University Dublin, his breakout short film musical Lost for Words screened at over thirty international festivals, including Cork Film Festival, Brno 16 & Stuttgart Filmwinter. The script was nominated for an Oxygen SMEDIA Award, while the film won multiple accolades, including at the New York International Independent Film Festival. His work is defined by bold, whimsical storytelling & a distinctive visual style. Alongside his narrative projects, Lally has directed commercial content, music videos & animation for global clients such as RuPaul, Rimmel London, Disney, Universal & The Royal Opera. His LGBTQIA fantasy romcom Empress Clawscream marked a significant step into narrative filmmaking, earning awards including Best Sci-Fi Film at the Berlin Short Film Festival.The National Talent Academy for Film & TV Drama is an initiative of Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland & is managed by Ardán.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 be chatting with Colin McIvor, director and co-writer of No Ordinary Heist as the film arrives in cinemas across Ireland and the UK.Inspired by true events in Belfast in December 2004, No Ordinary Heist tells a gripping fictional story of two bank employees forced into a chilling scheme, orchestrating a £26.5 million robbery to save their families’ lives, while those behind it never set foot inside the bank. Taut, claustrophobic and immersive, the film stars Eddie Marsan, Éanna Hardwicke, Eva Birthistle and Michelle Fairley.We chat with the Colin about working across television and commercials, the importance of creative collaboration, and how he built tension and atmosphere in this high-stakes, emotionally driven story.This podcast has been made possible with the support of Screen Ireland’s Stakeholder’s Scheme.The film was produced by Ruth Carter, Damon Lane and Johanna Hogan for Picture Locked Productions and Next Wednesday Films with funding from Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland, Northern Ireland Screen, RTÉ, Epic Pictures Group and Wildcard.The film is released theatrically in Ireland and the UK from Friday 27th March and will come to Sky Cinema as a Sky Original later in the year.Listen now on SoundCloud, Apple, Spotify and Amazon, or subscribe to Film Ireland wherever you get your podcasts.Colin McIvorNo Ordinary Heist marks Colin's third feature film, based on the remarkable £26.5m Northern Bank Robbery, and stars Eddie Marsan and Éanna Hardwicke. Its world premiere took place at Santa Barbara International Film Festival 2026, from which it went on to make its Irish premiere at Dublin IFF, followed by its UK premiere at the Glasgow IFF. It is due for theatrical release in theatres across the US, UK and Ireland in March 2026.Previously, Colin wrote and directed a number of award-winning short films. His debut feature film, Cup Cake, starring Michelle Fairley (Game of Thrones) and Clive Russell (Game of Thrones), won numerous international awards, including Best Feature at Rhode Island International Film Festival and the Audience Award at Belfast Film Festival.His second feature, Zoo, as writer/director, starring Toby Jones (The Hunger Games) and Dame Penelope Wilton (Downton Abbey), was released in US (Samuel Goldwyn) and UK (eOne) cinemas to great critical acclaim. Zoo went on to win its category at Seattle International Film Festival, Giffoni Film Festival, Filemon Int. Film Festival, Castellinaria Int. Film Festival and Doha Int. Film Festival. He has also directed numerous TV dramas, including, recently, the WW2 epic World on Fire (2023) for primetime BBC One.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 be chatting with creative producer Laura McNicholas, as her film Spilt Milk hits cinemas across the country.Founder of 925 Productions, Laura has been doing exciting work developing and produces television drama and feature films. Following a series of acclaimed shorts and extensive work across the industry, now her debut feature, Spilt Milk, has enjoyed a successful festival run, picking up major awards including the MUBI Audience Award at the Glasgow Film Festival, the Golden Slipper for Best Film at the Zlín International Film Festival, and a top prize at the Olympia International Film Festival for Children and Young People, alongside many others.We chat with Laura about her career journey, bringing Spilt Milk to the screen, and her approach to developing strong, character-driven stories.Listen now on SoundCloud, Apple, Spotify, Acast and Amazon, or subscribe to Film Ireland wherever you get your podcasts. https://www.filmireland.net/podcast-in-conversation-with-creative-producer-laura-mcnicholas-spilt-milk/Spilt MilkIn a gritty 1980s Dublin inner city neighbourhood, 11-year-old Bobby (Cillian Sullivan - Blue Moon) idolises TV detective Kojak and sets up a private eye agency with his best friend. However, when Bobby’s rebellious older brother goes missing, their investigations turn chillingly real — leading them into secrets and danger far beyond what children are ready to face. Nevertheless, Bobby’s brave, loving and inspirational Mother (Danielle Galligan -House Of Guinness) leads him through these tough times.The filmmaking team includes Cathal Watters (The Dry, Peaky Blinders, Foundation), director of photography; Shane McEnroe (Foundation, Abigail, Disenchanted), production designer; Gwen Jefferes Hourie (Sing Street, Abigail, I Kill Giants); Colin Monie (Hallam Foe, The Magdalene Sisters), editor; Scott Twynholm (Vanilla Sky) as composer and Áine O’Sullivan (The Tourist). Spilt Milk is in cinemas from 20th March 2026. Laura McNicholasLaura established and runs 925 Productions, which develops and produces television drama and feature films. Her debut feature, Spilt Milk, had its world premiere at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival and was nominated for four Irish Film and Television Academy Awards, including Best Film and Best Director. Spilt Milk went on to win the MUBI Audience Award at the Glasgow Film Festival, the Golden Slipper for Best Film at the Zlín International Film Festival, and a top prize at the Olympia International Film Festival for Children and Young People. It also received audience awards at the Mediterranean Film Festival Split, the British & Irish Film Festival Luxembourg, and the Kerry International Film Festival. Further festival selections included its US premiere at the Chicago International Film Festival and a screening at Cinemagic International Film and Television Festival.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’re delighted to partner with the Foyle Film Festival, which takes place in the Nerve Centre in Derry each year. An Academy Awards® and BAFTA-qualifying festival, Foyle Film Festival is celebrating its 39th year this November. First, we chat to from Eavan King, Head of Film Programming at the Foyle Film Festival & Nerve centre, about how the festival began, how it has evolved and how much fun it is to visit.Then, at 10:08, we catch up with David Pope, an internationally renowned script consultant, who was working with screenwriters at the festival as part of their comprehensive industry programme. Finally at 17:12 we host a live discussion on presenting local stories to an international market, recorded live and featuring producer Dearbhla Regan from Wild Atlantic Pictures and Louise Gallagher from Hat Trick Productions and Gallagher Films.Submissions have just opened for the Foyle Film Festival, so get yours in.https://www.filmireland.net/podcast-david-pope-dearbhla-regan-louise-gallagher-at-foyle-film-festivalFoyle Film FestivalThis vibrant film festival takes place in venues across Derry each November to bring the best of international cinema and industry players to the city. The festival also delivers screenings, events and workshops throughout the year, including Reel Lives which has replaced the Intercultural and Anti-Racism Festival, as well as Educational and Community Outreach Screenings. The prestigious Light In Motion (LIM) competition is open to filmmakers and animators across the world, with winners qualifying for consideration in the Live Action and Animated Short Film categories of the Academy Awards® and BAFTA.Louise GallagherLouise has been working in the media industry for 30 years, with 23 of those years spent at the BBC in Belfast in various production roles across Radio, TV and Online services. In 2011 she flew the BBC nest and moved into the independent film and TV sector, working on independent shorts and features. Louise went on to found Gallagher Films in 2018. Major recent projects for Gallagher Films include BAFTA award-winning ‘Blue Lights’, a BBC drama series set against the backdrop of policing in Northern Ireland, on which Louise is Co-Creator / Executive Producer. Her first feature film, ‘A Bump Along The Way’, had a successful cinema release and won several awards at home and internationally. Written by Tess McGowan, directed by Shelly Love and produced by Louise, it starred Bronagh Gallagher and Lola Petticrew. ‘A Bump Along the Way’ was developed with the assistance of Northern Ireland Screen through their New Talent Writers and New Talent Focus programmes. Louise recently received an IFTA for best short film ‘Rough’ written and directed by Declan Lawn & Adam Patterson.David PopeDavid is a script consultant and screenwriter working internationally. Script consultation projects include Obraz, candidate for Best International Film Academy Award 2026; Tiger Stripes, winner of the Jury Prize Critics’ Week Cannes Film Festival 2023 and candidate for Best International Film Academy Award 2024; Take It or Leave It, candidate for Best Foreign Language Film Academy Award 2019; and Truth or Justice, candidate for Best International Film Academy Award 2020. Other recent projects as script consultant include the feature films Natatorium; Last Sentinel; Splendid Isolation and the drama series Imperial Spy for Fremantle (American Gods, Deutschland 83). David was Creative Producer on feature film The Goat. In addition to designing and delivering for Stowe Story Labs, he is the long-standing annual advisor & facilitator for Rotterdam Lab at IFFRPro for producers. David has been a creative consultant on Rawi Screenwriting Lab for Royal Film Commission - Jordan, facilitated the Convergence programme funded by Screen Scotland & British Film Institute, and is the script consultant for Funny Features delivered by Glasgow Film Festival and funded by British Film Institute.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 creator, writer, and showrunner Shawn Ryan to discuss his journey from playwriting in Illinois to creating some of the most influential drama series in modern television.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.In this conversation, Shawn reflects on his early years writing plays after his move to Los Angeles, where he worked on popular series such as Nash Bridges and Angel before creating FX’s first original drama, The Shield. He discusses his craft and his work on The Night Agent in some depth, his career journey, and the evolving landscape of television.Follow the journey of State Of The Arts on instagram.Listen to this podcast now on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, Soundcloud, Podtail, Podbean and Deezer. https://www.filmireland.net/state-of-the-arts-podcast-showrunner-shawn-ryan-the-night-agent-the-shield-s-w-a-t-with-des-doyle/Shawn RyanShawn was born and raised in Rockford, Illinois, and graduated from Middlebury College, where he began writing plays. After moving to Los Angeles, he was staffed on Nash Bridges and Angel before creating and showrunning FX’s first original drama, The Shield. For his work on The Shield, Ryan received a Golden Globe Award for Best Drama, an Emmy nomination for writing, a Peabody Award, and two AFI Awards.Other series Ryan has created, co-created, or showrun include The Unit, The Chicago Code, Terriers, Last Resort, Mad Dogs, Timeless, S.W.A.T., The Night Agent, and the forthcoming series American Hostage.Ryan has also served on the Board of Directors for the Writers Guild of America West and was Co-Chair of the WGA Negotiating Committee in 2020.Des DoyleDes is a D.I.T. graduate who spent fifteen years working in the Camera Department in the Irish film industry 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 and 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 based on briefs they provide, and created the LA Writers Room Placements scheme, which allowed Irish writers to travel to LA and spend time in real-world US TV series writers’ rooms.He has also lectured on Showrunning, US TV Production and the Future of Content at USC Los Angeles, Rowan University Philadelphia, Scriptmakers Berlin, APIT TV Producers Conference Lisbon, Northern Ireland Screen, IADT Dublin, Writers Guild of Ireland and as part of the recent Greenlight Screenwriting Labs in Galway. He is currently developing a new documentary series, which is a US/Irish co-production, as well as providing creative consultancy services to Irish producers, writers and directors with projects targeting the US or global streaming markets.He is also the co-founder of Destination TV along with Ciarán Donnelly, a creative skills live events company that recently brought Oscar and Emmy-nominated writer/director/showrunner Jonathan Nolan to Dublin for a masterclass.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.