Press

TG4 and Partners Supports Eight Irish Language Films at Galway Film Fleadh

Including Four Premieres Through the Tús & Céim Eile Schemes

09.07.26

 

 
TG4, Screen Ireland and Northern Ireland Screen’s Irish Language Broadcast Fund, celebrated a new wave of Irish-language screen talent in Galway today with world and Irish premiere screenings of the Tús and Céim Eile short films, followed by a reception at the Corrib Tea House in Galway City.
 

Four short films produced through the Tús and Céim Eile initiatives were screened at the Town Hall Theatre as part of the Galway Film Fleadh: Capall (World Premiere), Mí-Ádh (World Premiere), An Mháthair (World Premiere) and Ár gCluiche Féin (Irish Premiere).
 
The event celebrated writers Glenn Gannon (Capall), Sarah Gordon and Damian McCann (Mí Ádh), Seán Keeley (An Mháthair) and Medb Johnstone (Ár gCluiche Féin), along with the production teams behind these exciting new short films.

The four premieres showcased the new Irish-language short films, highlighting the strength, originality and creative ambition of filmmakers and writers working in the Irish language.

The films will also air on TG4 at a later date.
 

Tús & Céim Eile is an Irish-language short film script initiative, funded by TG4, Screen Ireland and Northern Ireland Screen’s Irish Language Broadcast Fund (ILBF), designed to foster and promote new drama in Irish and support the development of creative writing in Irish from Gaeltacht writers as well as Irish language writers at an early stage of their careers.

Through these schemes, TG4, Screen Ireland and Northern Ireland Screen’s Irish Language Broadcast Fund continue to support the development of emerging and established Irish-language screen talent, creating opportunities for writers, directors and producers to develop bold original work in Irish. The schemes reflect the partners’ shared commitment to strengthening Irish-language storytelling on screen, supporting the next generation of screen talent, and bringing fresh, contemporary drama as Gaeilge to audiences at home and beyond.
 

Following the Galway Film Fleadh the four films Capall, Mí-Ádh, An Mháthair and Ár gCluiche Féin will continue on the film festival circuit.
 
Speaking about the initiative, Deirdre Ní Choistín, Director General of TG4, said:
“TG4 is proud to support Tús and Céim Eile, which play an important role in developing writers, directors and producers to produce original Irish language drama. These films demonstrate the emerging talent of new creative teams and reflect the relevance of Irish-language storytelling today. Supporting and showcasing this work is central to TG4’s public service remit.”
 
Máire Ní Chonláin, Commissioning Editor at TG4, said:
“Tús and Céim Eile are vital schemes for nurturing creative talent and supporting the development of new Irish-language screen drama. The four film premieres at Galway Film Fleadh are distinctive, engaging and ambitious, and show the importance of giving filmmakers and writers the space to develop strong, original stories as Gaeilge.”
 

Buíochas ollmhór to Galway Film Fleadh for giving audiences and industry guests an opportunity to see the work being developed through Tús & Céim Eile, and showcasing the creative talent developing Irish language projects.
 
Brief Synopsis of films premiered
 

Capall (World Premiere)
A game of ‘horse’ gets out of control for two criminals as they drive to their next deadly job.
Director/ Writer : Glenn Gannon
Producers: James Dennison, Glenn Gannon, Tom Conway, Sinéad Dolan
 

Mí-Ádh (World Premiere)
A suicidal taxi driver must confront his mortality when he finds himself complicit in the attempted murder of a diabetic cat.
Director: Damian McCann
Producers: Rosie McNally, Órfhlaith Ní Chearnaigh
Writers: Sarah Gordon, Damian McCann
 
 

An Mháthair (World Premiere)
When confronted with the young man who took her son away from her, a grieving mother must stop him before he strikes again.
Director: Vincent Gallagher
Producer: Grace Odumosu
Writer: Seán Keeley
 

Ár gCluiche Féin (Irish Premiere)
Our Own Game follows Tomás, a young man who is leaving home. As the journey progresses, it becomes clear that Tomás is escaping the breakdown of his relationship with his football teammate.
Director/ Writer: Medb Johnstone
Producers: Úna Spillane, Ann Ní Chíobháin

TG4 is also proud to support and screen a selection of powerful Irish-language films at the Galway Film Fleadh, including Cill Stuifín, Pós Mé, Gealtra and Réalt na Mara : (Star of the sea).

From folklore, love and identity to music, memory and the Irish language, these films reflect the breadth, creativity and ambition of contemporary filmmaking supported by TG4, Screen Ireland, Northern Ireland Screen – Irish Language Broadcast Fund and CnaM.
 
 
Links:

https://www.galwayfilmfleadh.com/project/cill-stuifin/

https://www.galwayfilmfleadh.com/project/gealtra/

https://www.galwayfilmfleadh.com/project/pos-me/

https://www.galwayfilmfleadh.com/project/star-of-the-sea-the-football-the-troubles-the-aftermath/