Catalyst International Film Festival

07/05/2026

Now that the 2026 award winners have been announced, we'd like to take a moment to thank our fabulous team of judges!

A big thank you to the following judges:

🎥 International Short Film: Ajoke Silva & Claire Dunlop

🎥 Short Documentary: Aoife Kelleher & Maurice Sweeney

🎥 National Student Award: Grace Odumosu & Katie McNeice

🎥 Best Irish Short: Paul Ryan &Rebecca O’Flanagan

🎥 Best Short Screenplay: Sheena Lambert & Peter McKenna

Thank you all for your expertise and insight in selecting our 2026 award winning films!

06/05/2026

We're still thinking about the insights shared by our incredible guest speakers across the festival. Catalyst has had the immense pleasure of welcoming a number of industry professionals this year to speak about their recent projects, career paths, and any upcoming work.

We extend a heartfelt thank you to all of our wonderful guests:

- Ailbhe Keogan
- Danny Brocklehurst
- Siobhán Ní Ghadhra
- Richie Conroy
- Cóilín Ó Scolaí
- Leah Egan
- Bláthnaid Altaf
- Antonia Campbell Hughes
- Rose Ugoalah
- Jules O’Connor
- Jennifer Davidson
- Mairtín de Barra
- Varun Raman
- Charlene Lydon
- Pat Collins
- David McDonagh
- Cara Holmes
- Vanessa Gildea

Thank you all! 🌟

30/04/2026

🎊 That's a wrap on Catalyst International Film Festival 2026! 🎊

A big thanks to our fabulous team of industry judges for their insight and expertise. We are proud to announce the 2026 award winners!

✨️ International Short:
Winner: Coyotes Directed by Said Zagha
Runner Up: Broken Dawn Directed by Hae-oh Park
Special mention: A Beautiful Excuse for a Deadly Sin directed by Hashim Sharaf

✨️ Short Documentary:
Winner: At the Bottom of the Reen Direct by Molly Kiely
Runner Up: Origin directed by Marion Chuniaud-Lacau

✨️ National Student Award:
Winner: Euro Children directed by Áindréas Fallon Verbruggen
Runner Up: ESC directed by Ciara O'Neill

✨️ Best Irish Short:
Best Short: Purebred directed by Caleb J. Roberts
Runner Up: CLAONADH directed by Ciara Ni É
Special mention: Mary is Missing directed by Aisling Byrne

✨️ Best Short Screenplay:
Winner: You've Got Male by Siobhán Donnellan
Runner Up: Treasure Hunt by Shane Tighe

✨️ Catalyst Short Documentary Bursary Award Winner:
Áindréas Fallon Verbruggen

Major congratulations to all! We look forward to seeing you in 2027! 🎉

25/04/2026

A brilliant morning of insight and inspiration at Catalyst Brunch Club with NTA in Engine ✨

Our programming panel with Varun Raman and Charlene Lydon unpacked the art of curating festivals and how filmmakers can get their work seen on the international circuit.

Followed by a powerful documentary discussion with Pat Collins, David McDonagh, Cara Holmes and Vanessa Gildea — sharing honest insights into storytelling, process, and bringing real stories to life.

Plus: Pitch It! 🎤
Five emerging voices tool the mic for 3-minute documentary pitches, getting live feedback from industry pros — the first step in bringing bold new ideas to the screen, we loved their ideas!!

25/04/2026

Great to have you there and we loved your short film. All the best to these talented bunch of filmmakers!

Catalyst Film Festival Limerick
Today, Transition Year students attended a festival of short film at Belltable Theatre in Limerick City. The day featured three award winning Irish short films, a Q&A with a director, actor and screenwriter followed by TY student film submissions. In March Presentation Castleisland had the Catalyst team join us for a full day of filming and this short film featured on the big screen amongst six others. It was a wonderful event and display of creativity, individuality and talent.

24/04/2026

Tickets available at the door for tonight's 6 Short films from Palestine. Duration 85mins. Starts at 8pm, come on in we think you've had enough sun.
[and support Palestine Red Crescent Society]
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