On the Ground: Filmmakers Joy Gharoro-Akpojotor & Damian McCann at Dinard British & Irish Film Festival

In this episode of the Film Ireland Podcast, we are delighted to once again partner with the Dinard British and Irish Film Festival, which held its 36th edition last month in the picturesque seaside town of Dinard, Brittany.First, we chat with Dominique Green, Artistic Director of Dinard, who shares insights into the festival’s vision, programming, and what makes it such a unique event on the film calendar.At the festival, Associate Editor Gemma Creagh caught up with writer/director Damian McCann to talk about his gripping feature Aontas, where three unlikely women rob a rural Irish Credit Union. Listen back to their conversation for a deep dive into the film’s themes and creative process.Finally, we sit down with writer/director Joy Gharoro-Akpojotor to discuss her powerful debut feature Dreamers, exploring ambition, belonging, and the pursuit of hope.You can listen to this podcast directly on Apple, Spotify, Acast, and Soundcloudor subscribe to Film Ireland on this list of other hosting platforms.AontasThree unlikely thieves, led by a woman on the verge of a breakdown, rob a rural Irish Credit Union. Opening in the tragic aftermath of the heist-gone-wrong, the story uses reverse chronology to unravel the events that led to this point. What starts as a poorly executed robbery becomes a portrait of a wilful woman trapped in her own past. Aontas is about the choices that change our path, the moments we get trapped in, and how we are prisoners of our memories.Joy Gharoro-Akpojotor Joy founded Joi Productions in 2016. In 2019, she produced the breakout hit BLUE STORY, which became the highest-grossing film of its genre. That same year, she was recognised as a Screen International Star of Tomorrow and a BAFTA Breakthrough. In 2021, she produced Aml Ameen’s rom-com debut BOXING DAY, the UK’s first all-Black Christmas film.In 2022 Joy produced CHAMPION for BBC and Netflix. In 2024, she made her debut as a writer-director with DREAMERS, backed by BBC Film. The film premiered at the 75th Berlinale Film Festival in 2025, earning a Teddy Award nomination for Best Feature Film. Additionally, she produced FLORID and ANIMOL, further cementing Joy's reputation for producing groundbreaking storytelling. About Dinard British and Irish Film FestivalThe Dinard British and Irish Film Festival is an annual celebration of cinema that takes place in the coastal town of Dinard, Brittany. Now in its 36th year, the festival showcases the best of contemporary British and Irish filmmaking, highlighting emerging talent alongside established voices. Known for its warm hospitality and discerning audiences, Dinard provides a unique platform for filmmakers to connect with international industry figures and audiences in France.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.