The 37th edition of the Galway Film Fleadh takes place this month, from 8th-13th July in the Town Hall Theatre and Pálás Cinema. This year’s Fleadh will feature 31 World Premieres, 11 International/European Premieres and 46 Irish Premieres from 44 countries, featuring 96 feature films in total, and the Country of Focus this year is France.  

Ardán – as managers of Galway City of Film, WRAP Fund & Commission, National Talent Academy of Film & TV Drama, and co-managers with Imirt of Screen Ireland’s Digital Games Portfolio – are delighted to have several supported works screened at this year’s Film Fleadh, and we also look forward to hosting a number of events at the Industry Fair at the Galmont Hotel.

Galway City of Film Screenings 

‘Caoineadh’ (Vessels of Grief), was produced and directed by Kimberley Gray Ennis as part of the Galway City of Film/ Ceantar Scánnan Short Doc Bursary 2024, under the mentorship of Donal Haughey. This short documentary looks at the funeral lamenting practice of keening and the women who lead these practices within their community in Connemara. Read more about Kimberley’s experience as part of the bursary here. Watch ‘Caoineadh on Thursday, 10th July at the Town Hall Theatre at 12 noon. Book here.  

‘Reality Check’ was made as part of the 2024 Little Cinema/ Galway City of Film 48 Hour Challenge. The team created the short horror film over a weekend last August, with a prop, a line and a camera shot they had to use. They came away with the prize for Best Film and Filmmaker’s Choice. Read more about Sarah Fahy and the team’s experience here. Watch ‘Reality Check’ on Wednesday, 9th July at the Town Hall Theatre at 12 noon. Book here. 

Pitching for Games: Workshop & 1:1s 

As part of Galway Film Fleadh’s Industry Fair 2025 Ardán presents ‘Pitching for Games 101’, a workshop with industry experts & Pitch Development 1:1 Opportunities for game developers – on Saturday, July 12th, at the Galmont Hotel from 11am-1pm (1:1 opportunity) and 2-4pm (panel & workshop)! This is the third year Ardán has presented at the Fleadh Fair and this year we are joined by Rebecca Lautner (Landfall Games), K. A. Pedersen (Fireshine Games) and Frank Meije (Focus Entertainment). Read more about it here. 

WRAP Supported Screenings & Events 

In partnership with Screen Producers Ireland the WRAP Commission will showcase Connemara’s stunning locations as well as local companies and institutions such as TG4 to a delegation from the Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA) on a FAM Tour around Galway County. Read more about the CMPA here 

WRAP will participate in The Film Office AGM by Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland on Friday, 11th July. The event features presentations on tourism, tax incentives, funding, and training, plus a private networking session for film officers – concluding with a workshop on the impact of regional film productions. Read more about Local Film Offices here 

 On the return leg of the Bradford-West of Ireland Screen Producer Exchange, our visitors from Bradford will be in Galway to connect with Irish producers, take part in the Galway FAM tour, and attend Fleadh events and screenings. Read about the exchange. 

One of the Bradford producers, Hollie Bryan, will be at the Pálás on July 12th to watch the screening of a film she produced – ‘The Ceremony’ – where two migrant labourers discover the body of an illegal colleague on site and must dispose of the problem. Book here. 

Edwin Mullane and Adam O’Keefe’s acclaimed ‘Horseshoe’ – a drama-comedy with a twist set in the West – will play at the Town Hall Theatre on July 12th. Edwin has participated in WRAP Commission’s Producer Mentorship and Access-To-Market Schemes. Book here. 

WRAP is also looking forward to taking meetings at the Film Fair Marketplace and seeing the best in new Irish and International film and talents. If you would like to arrange a meeting with the team outside of the marketplace you can get in touch via wrap@ardan.ie  

WRAP Executive Gar O’Brien-Collins will host the annual Pitching Competition on Sunday, July 13th.  Ten finalists have been selected for the event sponsored by Wild Atlantic Pictures – to pitch in front of an audience and a panel of judges. Read more here. 

National Talent Academy Film & TV Events 

As part of their inaugural Producer Mentorship Programme, NTA Film & TV and the WRAP Commission will present a Producers’ Panel at this year’s Galway Film Fair. The panel will feature both mentors and mentees currently participating in the programme who will speak about their experience. The panel will be followed by a networking session. This event takes place at the Galmont Hotel on Saturday, July 12th from 4pm. Book here.  

The National Talent Academy Film & TV will also offer emerging and established live-action fiction Short Film Writers, Writer/ Directors, and Producers an opportunity to connect through one-on-one meetings at Galway Film Fair.  This event, on Sunday, July 13th at the Galmont from 2pm, will be followed by a networking reception. Registration is now closed. 

Raising Films Ireland, in partnership with the National Talent Academies, is excited to introduce a pilot Childminding Link Service at the Galway Film Fair 2025. Find out more.  

Find out more about Ardán  

To keep up to date on all events, workshops, mentorships, shadowing schemes, and funding opportunities managed by Ardán and its initiatives for the film, TV, animation and games creative industries, follow our socials & subscribe to Ardán’s monthly newsletter.