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-lomuFollowing 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.comLomu 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 FitzGeraldGavin 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-franchiseThis 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 / TikTokKatherine 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 FestivalThis 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 EffectsAs 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 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-underwaterThe 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 TarlingJack 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 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-berlinaleAbout LadyIn 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 NwosuBorn 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-sistersA 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-fleadhA Knock at Your Door - DIR/WRI: Alan HopkinsA 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 ShortsLinger - DIR: Jaro Waldeck • WRI: Bobby MoloneyIn 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.Linger screens on Saturday, 11th of July, Town Hall Cinema at 11.30 as part of Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland World Premiere ShortsThe Galley - DIR: Thomas Bennett • WRI: Thomas Bennett, Niall McCloskeyAs 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 HopkinsAlan 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 WaldeckJaro 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 BennettThomas 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-lifeRebecca ZlotowskiRebecca 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.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.

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 BoxMedia 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 FitzSimonsPaul 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.

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 episode 25 of the DocArena Podcast, Ross Whitaker catches up with directors Peter Mortimer (The Alpinist, The Dawn Wall) and Nick Rosen (The Alpinist, Reel Rock) to talk about their biggest project to date, The Dark Wizard, which is available to stream now on HBO Max.This HBO Original four-part documentary series, The Dark Wizard, gives an up-close and unflinching portrait of Dean Potter, one of the world’s most influential and controversial climbers, BASE jumpers, and highline walkers.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.The Dark Wizard traces the jaw-dropping feats that made him a legend, as well as the personal turmoil that defined his life.From an early age, Dean grappled with inner demons that led him to seek the limits of human possibility. Climbing became his outlet and Yosemite National Park became the canvas for his unique talent and artistic expression. As his accomplishments on El Capitan and Half Dome elevated him to hero status in the adventure sports world, his mental state began to fracture and his fierce competitive drive pushed him to try to outdo both himself and others, including rising star Alex Honnold. Ultimately, it was wingsuiting and his lifelong desire to fly that would prove to be his riskiest and most transcendent endeavour.Drawing from decades of archival footage, Dean’s personal journals, and intimate interviews with those who knew him best, The Dark Wizard chronicles the triumphs, tragedies, rivalries, romances, and near-death moments that shaped the life of a brilliant yet tormented artist and athlete whose imagination and audacity redefined what the body and mind could do.Episode 4 will be available to stream on HBO Max on 4th May 2026.Peter MortimerPeter grew up in Boulder, Colorado where he learned to rock climb as a kid and made his first home videos of climbing and skiing exploits with friends. After graduating with a geology degree from Colorado College, Peter made his first "real" climbing film (Scary Faces, starring Zac Barr) then went on to get his MFA in film at USC. He's blended his life-long passion for climbing, travel & adventure with his love of telling stories about the incredible people he's met along the way. Peter lives in Boulder with his wife Joss, daughter Pia, son Xavi, and little dogs Macho and Gnarly. Nick RosenNick received his BA in political science from Colorado College, and his masters at Columbia's School of International and Public Affairs. Nick began working as a writer, producer & director for Sender in 2005, and since then has created award-wining feature films, TV programs and creative campaigns. Nick lives in Boulder, Colorado with his partner and two kids.Check out 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 the latest episode of the State of the Arts podcast (@sotapod), filmmaker and writer Des Doyle sits down with executive producer, director and writer Neasa Hardiman to discuss her expansive career across feature film and television, and her transition to working on large-scale, big-budget streamer projects. 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, Neasa reflects on her journey honing her craft, developing her debut feature, and stepping into directing on a major Netflix project. She and Des also pay tribute to Rob Reiner, discussing the lasting legacy of his work and its influence on contemporary storytelling. Drawing on her unique experience working across the Atlantic, Neasa shares insight into navigating the industry between Ireland and the US, and the creative advantages - and opportunities - of operating in both worlds. Follow the journey of State of the Arts here: https://www.instagram.com/sotapod/ Read more about the podcast here: www.filmireland.net/state-of-the-arts-podcast-ep-director-writer-neasa-hardiman-jessica-jones-untamed-the-day-of-the-jackal-with-des-doyleOver 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.