The Irish Film Festival Los Angeles 2025

A Celebration of Irish Film

March: 14-16th 2025

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Laemmle Monica Film Center, 1332 2nd St, Santa Monica, CA 90401

The Irish Film Festival Los Angeles returned for an exciting three-day celebration of Irish cinema at the Laemmle Monica Film Center, showcasing a dynamic selection of feature films, documentaries, and short films from both established and emerging Irish talent.

This year's program highlights the creativity and diversity of Irish filmmaking, featuring eight feature films, including critically acclaimed works and bold new projects from rising filmmakers. The lineup shines a spotlight on a range of voices within the industry, including three female directors, award-winning documentaries, gripping dramas, auteur-driven films, and two Irish-language features.

Alongside the feature film program, the festival presented four curated short film screenings, featuring 24 short films that reflect the innovation and storytelling excellence of Irish filmmakers. These selections include eight female directors and ten female writers, three Irish-language shorts, animations, two experimental films, and a variety of short documentaries. The festival also proudly showcased several directorial and feature debuts, reinforcing its commitment to supporting emerging talent.

Scroll Down for The Full Festival Schedule & Click a Film for Full Details

Download the Festival Booklet

The festival opened with a special screening of the newly released "Four Mothers", with Director Darren Thornton in attendance. Later that evening, the Oscar-shortlisted film "Room Taken" screened as part of the "New Voices" program, followed by a Q&A with Director TJ O’Grady. Closing out the night was "King Frankie", with Writer/Director Dermot Malone and Producer Matt D’Arcy joining for an in-depth discussion about their film. Other standout selections from the festival lineup include "Kathleen is Here," "Fidil Ghorm," "Amongst the Wolves," and "David Keenan – Words on Canvas."

We were delighted to welcome visiting Irish Minister for Transport and Minister for Climate, Environment and Energy Darragh O’Brien, Consul General of Ireland in Los Angeles Marcella Smyth and Head of Cultural Affairs Síobhra Quinlan visiting the festival on Sunday March 15th. Throughout the weekend, the festival featured engaging Q&A sessions with attending filmmakers. Audiences had the chance to hear from Smothered’s Patrick O'Mahony and composer James Ó Ceallaigh following "The Auteurs", as well as Director/Co-Writer Marc Cleary and Actor Austin Spacy of Fuel after "The Futures" screening.

Documentary lovers saw "EAT / SLEEP / CHEER / REPEAT," which included a discussion with Director Tanya Doyle and Producer Daniel Hegarty. The festival’s closing program of short films, "The Contemporaries," featured a Q&A with Writer of Yellow Belt; Alan O’Gorman, alongside Director Joey Falsetta of Eamon and its cast members Liam Fountain, Josh Harp, Rachel Rath, and Mollie Gunn.

The festival concluded with Aoife Kelleher’s award-winning documentary "Mrs. Robinson," a compelling exploration of the life and legacy of Ireland’s first female president, Mary Robinson. This final screening was followed by a post-festival celebration, offering audiences a chance to reflect on the weekend’s films and connect with fellow festival goers.

The festival hosted a series of engaging daily panel discussions with industry experts, including The Future of Indie, which explored the evolving landscape of independent filmmaking with Kirsten Sheridan, Steven Davenport, Darren Thornton, and Diarmaid McGrath; Script to Screen – The Actor’s Role, which examined the casting and performance process with Mat Raney, Anya Colloff, Daniel Adams and Alan Smyth; and Behind the Camera Lens, which highlighted the creative minds shaping cinema, featuring Alan Smyth, Zegan Doyle, Kelley Silverman and Kemma Filby.

For younger audiences, the festival was proud to present "A Greyhound of a Girl," featuring the voices of Brendan Gleeson and Sharon Horgan. This heartwarming animated feature ensures that the festival offers something for everyone.

Beyond the Screenings: The Irish Film Festival Los Angeles serves as an important gathering place for filmmakers, industry professionals, and audiences. In addition to screenings, Q&As, and panels, each evening ticket holders were invited to after-evening social events, offering a relaxed space for networking, discussion, and celebrating Irish cinema.

Festival Director Matthew Nevin shares his excitement about this year’s program, stating: "From powerful dramas to exciting new films and captivating short films, the Irish Film Festival Los Angeles celebrates the creativity, passion, and storytelling excellence of Ireland's filmmakers. As Irish cinema continues to gain international recognition, we are proud to showcase these voices, bringing new stories and visionary artists to audiences in Los Angeles. Join us for a fun few days celebrating the best of Irish film!"

IFFLA is currently Directed by Matthew Nevin, Managed by Jenn McGuirk and Coordinated by Jenny Minniti Shippey. Kindly Supported By: The Government of Ireland Emigrant Support Programme, Screen Ireland, ELMA, TG4, MART Gallery & Studios, LA County Arts & Culture, The Irish Film Institute’s IFI International programme in connection with Culture Ireland and Arts Council Ireland.

IFFLA is proud to collaborate with local organisations including The SMC Film Club, The Irish Bar Association, Stella Adler Academy of Acting, Irelandweek and Los Angeles Police Emerald Society as local outreach partners, where we aim to ensure our festival reaches a broad range of communities, including providing discounted tickets to students, seniors, and unemployed members of the community.

FESTIVAL SCHEDULE

friday march 14th

saturday march 15th

sunday march 16th

THE IRISH FILM FESTIVAL LOS ANGELES PROGRAM 2025

FEATURE FILMS

March 14th: FOUR MOTHERS | KING FRANKIE

March 15th: KATHLEEN IS HERE | EAT/SLEEP/CHEER/REPEAT | FIDIL GHORM

March 16th: A GREYHOUND OF A GIRL | AMONGST THE WOLVES | DAVID KEENAN: WORDS ON CANVAS | MRS ROBINSON

A Q&A session will follow a selection of screenings with Cast/Crew from the Films, Click a film below for more info & to Book Tickets

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March 14th: Panel Discussion: The Future of Indie @ 3pm

The Future of Indie: As the ground shifts beneath the film industry worldwide, what does this uncertain future hold for indie films and their creators?

Featuring: Kirsten Sheridan (Oscar-nominated writer/director), Steven Davenport (Screen Ireland / Industry Expert), Diarmaid McGrath (Film & TV producer)

Kirsten Sheridan

Diarmaid McGrath

Steven Davenport

Kirsten Sheridan
Kirsten Sheridan

Kirsten Sheridan is an Oscar and Golden Globe nominated writer, a studio feature director, and an independent producer. She co-founded The Factory, Ireland’s premier filmmaking collective, and currently works in film and television in Los Angeles.

Born into a family of filmmakers, Kirsten spent her childhood immersed in the theater world, spending all her free time backstage and in the lighting box at the Irish Arts Center in New York. At 12 years old, her first film experience was on set playing Daniel Day Lewis’s little sister in the Oscar-winning film My Left Foot. She went on to graduate with a Distinction from Ireland’s National Film School.

As a teenager Kirsten won The Film Institute of Ireland/Guinness Outstanding Young Irish Talent Award and The Miramax Best Irish Screenplay Award. At 26 years old, she made her directorial debut with the independent feature Disco Pigs. The film premiered at the Berlin Film Festival and was nominated for the Sundance/NHK International Filmmakers Award. Sheridan was nominated for Best Director at the British Independent Film Awards, and the Irish Film and Television Awards. She won Best Director at the Giffoni Film Festival.

Kirsten’s first studio feature film as a writer garnered her an Academy Award nomination along with her father, director Jim Sheridan, and her sister, writer Naomi Sheridan. The semi-autobiographical film, In America was nominated for 3 Oscars, 7 Critics Choice Awards, 2 Golden Globe Awards, 1 Writers Guild of America Award, 2 National Board of Review Awards, 2 New York Film Critic Awards, 6 Independent Spirit Awards, 3 British Independent Film Awards, a SAG Award, and a Humanitas Prize. Actors Samantha Morton and Djimon Housou were both Oscar nominated. It launched the career of newcomer Sarah Bolger.

The film won the AFI Movie of the Year Award, AFI Fest Audience Award, and a PGA Award.

For her writing, Kirsten won a Critics Choice Award, a National Board of Review Award, a New York Film Critics Award, and a Christopher Award.

At 29 years old, Kirsten directed her first studio feature, the Warner Brothers modern fairytale August Rush, the cherished story of an orphaned musical prodigy who uses his gift to find his birth parents. The film starred veteran actor and comedian Robin Williams, renowned actors Keri Russell, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Freddie Highmore, and the freshly Oscar nominated Terrence Howard. It launched the career of Alex O’Laughlin.

August Rush placed in the top ten at the American Box Office, was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Original Soundtrack and was nominated for an Oscar for Best Original Song.

In 2010 Kirsten co-founded The Factory with fellow film directors John Carney and Lance Daly. The Factory was Ireland’s first filmmakers collective. A place for filmmakers created by filmmakers that birthed a new wave of Irish talent. There, Sheridan directed Dollhouse, an experimental film, featuring a cast of complete unknowns, with the dialogue and action being discovered by the actors and improvised live during shooting. It was Jack Reynor and Seana Kerslake’s first film, both of whom immediately went on to gain multiple leading roles internationally. Dollhouse premiered in Berlin and SXSW, won the Best Acting Award at the Odesa Film Festival, won the Innovation Award at the New York Irish Film Festival and Best International Feature at the Lund Film Festival.

Over the last 20 years Sheridan has written feature film scripts, television episodes, adaptations, revisions and rewrites. She has worked with HBO, Amazon Studios, Fox Searchlight, Warner Brothers, Universal Content Productions, Peacock, FX, Harpo, Working Title, Color Force, Gold Circle, Sky and more.

Kirsten has adapted books from such authors as Roddy Doyle, Sue Monk Kidd and Cecilia Aherne. She has written biopics on such people as Amy Winehouse, Joe Strummer, and Olga Korbut.

Sheridan currently lives in Los Angeles, working in film and television, raising her three kids, and mentoring up and coming talent. Through her latest venture, The Programme LA, she is hoping to create a home for a new wave of talent, and also for her three kids, whom she encouraged to become accountants and lawyers, but has since been forced to accept the fact that they will live a life in the arts.

Diarmaid McGrath
Diarmaid McGrath

Diarmaid McGrath is the Chief of Staff at Thunder Road Films, the producers of Sicario, Wind River, and the John Wick franchise, based in Los Angeles. Originally from County Wexford, Ireland, McGrath specializes in independent features and international co-productions. With over a decade of experience in the industry, he has worked on a diverse slate of films, ranging from festival darlings to commercial genre movies. Before joining Thunder Road Films in 2022, McGrath worked in independent cinema in Germany and later spent several years at Studio Babelsberg in Berlin.

Steven Davenport
Steven Davenport

Currently the Head of US Production and Partnerships at Screen Ireland with the responsibility of establishing a Screen Ireland presence in Los Angeles, since 2021. Prior to relocating, preformed as Inward Production Manager at Screen Ireland for previous 5 years, overseeing a significant increase in related expenditure in Irish Screen Industry.

Steven joined the board of AFCI in 2020 and has been the current treasurer of the global members association for film commissioners since 2023. Prior to joining Screen Ireland worked as a nationally and internationally recognised line producer, production manager and location manager in the Irish Screen Industry with over 25 years industry experience.

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March 14th: 4.30pm | New Voices | {80 mins}

Short Films Screening: Clodagh | Calf | Turnaround | Ogham | Room Taken

Room Taken & Clodagh were both Shortlisted for Best Academy Award for Short Film 2025

A Q&A session will follow the screening with a selection of Cast/Crew including TJ O'Grady Director of Room Taken

Ogham

Screening Time	Ogham is screening as part of New Voices – March 14th @ 4.30pm – Tickets Here
Summary	A bereaved father ekes out a lonely caveman-like existence until injury forces him to return to civilization through a dangerous and starving countryside.
Runtime:	14.30 Minutes
Production Company	Hal Pictures
Cast:	Paul McQuad- Eoin, Kate Gilmore-Niamh
Crew:	Director & Writer: Alan Hopkins Producer: Husni Hafid DoP: Piers McGrail, Editor: John Desay, Music: Gemma Doherty, Make Up Designer: Hannah Sullivan

Alan Hopkins is a Dublin-based screenwriter, director, and founder of HAL Pictures. His work focuses on telling stories from the margins of society, often exploring the lives of individuals whose experiences remain outside the mainstream. For Alan, filmmaking serves as a powerful tool to shed light on both historical and contemporary issues, with the goal of provoking thought and challenging perspectives. Alan recently completed Ogham (2024), a short film produced with support from Screen Ireland’s Focus Shorts scheme. As writer and director, Ogham represents the continuation of his commitment to nuanced storytelling and visual expression. The film premiered at the Galway Film Fleadh in July 2024 and has since been programmed for festivals across three continents, with its festival run continuing into late 2024 and beyond. His previous directorial project, Jungle (2022), is a poignant reflection of his storytelling ethos. Set in Calais and centered around the European refugee crisis, the film premiered at the IndieCork International Film Festival and continues to be showcased internationally. Alan finds it humbling to witness how audiences from different cultural backgrounds respond to the film’s themes. Alan’s formal training began at Ballyfermot College of Further Education, where he studied Cinematography, before progressing to The National Film School at Dun Laoghaire IADT, where he earned a BA (Hons) in Film & Television Production. His debut short film, Williton’s Way, which he both wrote and directed, marked a significant turning point in his career, enjoying a successful festival run both in Ireland and abroad. During his college years, Alan created The Thespians, a comedy web series where he wrote every episode and promotional sketch. Though it achieved moderate success, the series gave him valuable experience in writing lighter, comedic material, and it continues to gain traction on YouTube. In addition to his work as a writer-director, Alan has extensive experience as a director of photography, contributing to acclaimed Irish shorts such as 69 & Dead and The Beauty of Ballybrack, both of which were showcased at the Galway Film Fleadh and featured on RTÉ’s Short Screen slot. His work as a cinematographer has greatly influenced his directorial approach, where each frame becomes an opportunity to evoke emotion and immerse audiences in the narrative. Recently, Alan returned to The National Film School to pursue a Master’s Degree in Screenwriting. This has deepened his understanding of the craft and refined his ability to structure complex, resonant stories. His graduate work has only reinforced his commitment to telling stories that resonate on both personal and societal levels, ensuring that every project he undertakes holds meaning in the broader context. Alan’s career is deeply shaped by his working-class Dublin background. His years spent working in various service and management roles outside the film industry give him a grounded perspective that informs his writing and directing, bringing a sense of empathy and real-world understanding to his storytelling. At the heart of Alan’s filmmaking journey is a commitment to giving voice to the voiceless, pushing creative boundaries, and engaging with issues that matter. Whether through writing, directing, or cinematography, his films remain honest, impactful, and thought-provoking.

Husni Hafid is a producer born in Libya and raised in Co Sligo, Ireland. Husni is constantly looking to produce stories about the struggles of the human condition, using his life experience to bring passion and integrity to the stories he develops. He has a proven track record of bringing films to completion across projects of varying scale. Husni graduated with a B.A (Hons) in Film and Television production from The Irish National film School IADT Dun Laoghaire. Husni’s debut production “Williton’s Way” served as his thesis film, which had a successful festival run culminating in a nomination for best screenplay in the CayFilm International Film Festival. Husni’s first funded short “Ogham” was funded by Screen Ireland as part of it’s Flagship shorts scheme “Focus Shorts”. Husni has also worked as a producer in theatre. He produced “Heartbreak House” by George Bernard Shaw, which had a successful run in the “10 Days in Dublin Theatre Festival”. Post his latest project Jungle, Husni is currently writing and developing scripts with Hal Pictures and external management that are based in Libya with the aim of introducing Libyan film to a wider audience.

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March 15th: 10am | The Auteurs | {90 mins}

A Q&A session will follow the screening featuring Writer/Director Patrick O'Mahony & Composer James Ó'Ceallaigh of Smothered

Two Mothers

Screening Time	Two Mothers is screening as part of The Auteurs – March 15th @ 10am – Tickets Here
Summary	An unusual bond compels an Irish mother to travel to war torn Ukraine in order to bring her former surrogate and her family to safety.
Runtime:	12 Minutes
Production Company	Invisible Thread
Cast:	Cathy Wheatley and Ivanna Holub
Crew:	Director & Writer : Anna Rodgers Producer: Zlata Filipovic DOP: Matthew Kirrane and Eleanor Bowman; Editor: Hugh Rodgers

Anna Rodgers is a multi award winning director and producer from Dublin, Ireland. Her work often focusses on marginalisation, queer identity, sexuality and human rights. Her films have been selected for major festivals worldwide, distributed to cinema and broadcast internationally. Her latest film, ‘Two Mothers’, was recipient of the Netflix Documentary Talent Fund which looked for stories on the theme of connection across UK and Ireland. Her most recent feature documentary ‘How To Tell A Secret’ funded by the Arts Council of Ireland, featured stories of people who are living with HIV in Ireland today. It screened at over 35 festivals worldwide including Frameline in San Francisco, BFI Flare and Sydney Queer Fest. It won Best Documentary at London Irish Film Festival and the LGBT+ Festival Poland. Her feature documentary When Women Won, released in 2020, captured the campaign for abortion rights in Ireland, winning Best Feature at Sydney Women’s Festival and Special Jury Prize at Boston Irish Film Festival. She won Best Director for Somebody to Love at the IFTAs in 2014, a documentary about relationships and disability. Her work has garnered her multiple IFTAs, three Radharc awards, and numerous Best Documentary awards. She has been nominated twice for the Iris Prize where her film Hold on Tight, about same sex public displays of affection, was highly commended, and was nominated for the Charles Guggenheim Emerging Artist Award for her debut feature documentary Today is Better than Two Tomorrows.

Originally from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Zlata Filipović is Irish-based EMMY and IFTA award winning producer (‘The Farthest’). She is the recipient of Netfix Documentary Talent Fund 2023 for her flm ‘Two Mothers’. Most recently she produced IFTA nominated feature documentary ‘How To Tell A Secret’ which had a nationwide cinema release in Ireland, screened at over 30 festivals globally and was acquired by Netfix, RTÉ and Deutsche Welle.

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March 15th: 12pm | The Futures | {83 mins}

A Q&A session will follow the screening with a selection of Cast/Crew from the Films including Director / Co Writer Marc Cleary and Actor - Austin Spacy of Fuel.

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March 15th: Panel Discussion - Script to Screen: The Actor's Role @ 2pm

Script to screen: The Actor’s Role; From casting the perfect player to bringing out their best performance, how do the pros behind the scenes use actors to bring their stories to life?

Featuring: Mat Raney (Writer & Producer), Anya Colloff (Casting Director) Daniel Adams (Director), Alan Smyth (Actor)

Daniel Adams

Daniel Adams

Daniel Adams is an award-winning American feature film director. He started his film career in 1989 when he co-wrote and directed, “A Fool and His Money” starring Sandra Bullock (released through Trimark/Lionsgate). While making that popular independent film, he was mentored by Norman Mailer, considered one of the greatest novelists of the 20th century. He is also credited with discovering Bullock, casting her in her first leading role.

Adams then went on to write and direct his second feature, the critically acclaimed “Primary Motive,” which starred Judd Nelson, Justine Bateman, Richard Jordan, John Savage and Sally Kirkland, for Twentieth Century Fox. His third feature, which he also wrote and directed, was a comedy entitled “The Mouse,” starring Rip Torn and John Savage, and released through Strand Releasing. His next film, “The Golden Boys,” starring David Carradine, Bruce Dern, Rip Torn, Mariel Hemingway and Charles Durning, was released through Lionsgate Films in 2009. Next, he directed the feature film, “The Lightkeepers,” from a script he wrote, starring Richard Dreyfus, Blythe Danner, and Mamie Gummer. “The Lightkeepers” was released through New Films Cinema in the spring of 2010. He then directed, “An L.A. Minute” which he also co-wrote with legendary satirist/journalist Larry “Ratso” Sloman, starring Gabriel Byrne, Kiersey Clemons and Bob Balaban. “An L.A. Minute” was released in theaters in August 2018 through Strand Releasing. He then co-wrote and directed, “The Walk” starring Justin Chatwin, Terrence Howard, Malcolm McDowell, Katie Douglas, Lovie Simone and Anastasiya Mitrunen. “The Walk” was released in theaters through Vertical Entertainment in June 2022. Earlier that year, “Panama” was released, a film based on a script he wrote, starring Mel Gibson and Cole Hauser.

His latest film, “The Panic” starring Cary Elwes, Colm Meaney, Justin Chatwin, Malcolm McDowell, Cristiana Dell’Anna and Anastasiya Mitrunen, is scheduled for theatrical release in at the end of 2025 through Blue Fox Entertainment. And later 2025 he is directing, “Jonestown” based on the infamous events in 1978 surrounding the mass suicide of 1000 cult members orchestrated by the Rev. Jim Jones. And in early 2026 he’ll be directing “Out of the Fog” a period action/adventure film based on his original script.

Adams is the recipient of numerous awards and honors. His film, “The Lightkeepers” was chosen as the closing night film for the Palm Springs International Film Festival, the opening night film for the Boulder International Film Festival, won the “Golden Angel” award (best picture) at the Los Angeles Chinese-American Film Festival, was named #2 Best Grown-Up Love Story Of The Year by AARP Magazine, and won the “Best Musical Score for a Comedy” award by the International Film Music Critics Association. His film “The Walk” has won over 50 film festival awards including best picture at the Boston Film Festival and was opening night film at Dances with Films in Los Angeles.

Also a historian, he is writing a biography of American patriot James Otis, Jr. and is preparing a television mini-series on the same subject entitled, “The Mad Patriot.”

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March 16th: Behind The Camera Lens @ 1.30pm

Behind the Camera Lens: The stars get the glory, but here’s a chat with a few of the wizards behind the curtain who help bring the magic of the movies to life.

Featuring: Alan Smyth (Actor), Kemma Filby (Producer / Writer / Actor), Kelley Silverman (Production Designer), Zegan Doyle (Film programmer)

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March 16th: 3pm | The Contemporaries | {80 mins}

A Q&A session will follow the screening with a selection of Cast/Crew from the Films including Liam Fountain, Josh Harp, Rachel Rath, Brandon Price (Producer) Joey Falsetta (Director), Mollie Gunn (EP) all from Eamon and Writer Alan O'Gorman from Yellow Belt

Yellow Belt

Screening Time	Yellow Belt is screening as part of The Contemporaries – March 16th @ 3pm – Tickets Here
Summary	As his parent’s marriage falls apart a young boy develops an unrealistic crush on an older girl in his Taekwondo class.
Runtime:	18 Minutes
Production Company	Rye Films
Cast:	White Belt – Cobhan O’Brien Dad – Dónall Ó Héalai Mom – Liz Fitzgibbon Master Lucey – Kieran Roche Wayne – Darren Stewart Yellow Belt – Niamh Spillane
Crew:	Director: Allyn Quigley Writers: Alan O’Gorman & Alan Quigley Producer: Ais Malone Cinematography by Evan Barry Production Design by Ebun Oladeru Costume Design by Saileóg O Halloran Sound Design by Steve Fanagan Edited by Eoin McGuirk Music by Daithí Hair and Makeup by Jennifer Bowman

Allyn Quigley is an Irish filmmaker based between Cork and Dublin. Since graduating from The National Film School in 2009, Allyn has directed a number of commercials, music videos and award winning short films that have screened at festivals around the world. In addition to this, Allyn has worked as editor on a number of high profile Irish independent films. The most recent being ‘Lakelands’, winner of Best Irish Film at the Galway Film Fleadh. In 2018 Allyn returned to The National Film School for an MA in Screenwriting, supported by a scholarship from the Warner Bros Creative Talent Programme. In 2019 Allyn directed ‘Moth’ which went on to win Best Irish Short Film at the Kinsale Shark Awards and earned him a nomination for the Virgin Media Discovery Award at the 2020 Dublin International Film Festival. Allyn’s most recent short film ‘Yellow Belt’ was funded as part of Screen Ireland’s Focus Shorts programme and premiered at the Cork International Film Festival where it received the award for Best Director. www.allynquigley.com Instagram @quigliest

Alan O’Gorman is an Irish writer based in Los Angeles. His debut short film, FOR YOU, starred Barry Keoghan. It won Best Short Film at the 2017 Kinsale Shark Awards, was nominated for Best Short at the 2018 IFTAs and was a Vimeo Staff Pick in 2019. His next short, CHRISTY, was a Screen Ireland Focus Short for 2019 and an Official Selection for the Palm Springs ShortFest 2020. CHRISTY has been adapted into a feature film with Screen Ireland and BBC Film. It premiere will take place at Berlinale 2025. He also writes fiction and has been published in various literary journals. In 2018, he was the winner of the John O’Connor Short Story Prize. Instagram: @alan_ogorman

Ais Malone is an emerging creative producer based in Cork and Dublin. Her filmography includes music videos and award-winning short films. Her notable recent shorts are ‘Findlater’ and ‘Yellow Belt.’ Funded by Screen Ireland, ‘Yellow Belt’ premiered at the Cork International Film Festival, where it earned the Best Director Award. In 2023 Ais was nominated in the Producer category at the 2023 Emerging Directors Award. In 2025 Ais will produce three funded short films through Kildare Co Co, Screen Ireland Focus Short and DLR Co Co. She has also been selected for X-Pollinator Incubator Programme that supports female, trans and non binary filmmakers. Ais has a background in social justice and a masters in Gender Studies. She works with Raising Films Ireland, managing Flexible Working Schemes aimed at supporting individuals to sustain their careers and to re-enter the screen industry after taking a caring break. Raising Films Ireland focuses on supporting and advocating for parents and carers in the screen industry. Ais recently embarked on a PhD with TU Dublin exploring Best Practice for making the Irish creative screen industries more inclusive and diverse. Instagram @maloneeeo

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About CIACLA's Irish Film Festival Los Angeles

CIACLA’s Irish Film Festival in Los Angeles celebrates and showcases the rich history and culture of Ireland through film. It brings together the local Irish community and film lovers to experience the diversity and talent of Irish filmmakers. The showcase provides a platform for filmmakers to showcase their work and engage with audiences, promoting cultural exchange and education. The showcase screens films with a curated selection of English & Irish {Gaeilge} language films from Irish Filmmakers living across the globe, while also celebrating the best in contemporary Irish film produced on the island of Ireland. The films selected for the showcase represent a diverse range of themes, styles, and perspectives, offering something for everyone. The Irish film industry has a rich history of producing critically acclaimed, captivating and thought-provoking films. From internationally awarded feature length and short films, dramas to heartfelt contemporary stories, Irish film has the ability to entertain, inspire, and educate audiences.

CIACLA’s Irish film festival in Los Angeles is a wonderful opportunity to bring the best of Irish cinema to the West Coast of the USA, providing a platform for Irish filmmakers to showcase their work and connect with new audiences. CIACLA’s Irish Film Showcase in Los Angeles provides a positive impact on the Irish film industry by showcasing Irish films to a new and diverse audience, helping to raise the profile of Irish cinema, promoting it to a global audience. This increased exposure helps to open up new opportunities for Irish filmmakers, both in terms of funding and distribution.

The Irish film festival in Los Angeles is an opportunity to bring the Irish community, friends, peers and colleagues together, fostering a sense of community and pride in Irish Culture. The showcase provides a space for filmmakers to network and connect with their peers, forging new relationships and collaborations, including Q&A sessions with filmmakers. This provides audiences with an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the films and the filmmakers behind them. It also provides a platform for Irish-American filmmakers to connect with their roots and film enthusiasts to engage with exciting new content, while also strengthening the cultural link between Ireland and the United States.

IFFLA is currently Directed by Matthew Nevin, Managed by Jenn McGuirk and Coordinated by Jenny Minniti Shippey. We would like to acknowledge the original founders, supporters and directors of the Irish Film Festival Los Angeles including but not limited to Lisa McLaughlin Strasman, Marcus Fox, Pascal Ladreyt, Jan Kean, Deborah Kolar and many more —whose vision and dedication established the foundation for an Irish film festival in LA.

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PICTURES OF #IFFLA25

Photo Credit Ieva Georges / Matthew Nevin

Screening Time	March 14th @ 1pm – Tickets Here
Summary	Edward, a novelist saddled with caring for his elderly mother, finally finds himself on the brink of literary success. With pressure to go on a US book tour mounting, the last thing Edward needs is his friends jetting off to Spain for an impromptu Pride holiday, leaving their mothers on his doorstep! Over a chaotic weekend, he has to juggle his burgeoning career with the care of four eccentric, combative, and wildly different ladies.
Runtime:	89 Minutes
Production Company	Port Pictures, Portobello Films and Television
Cast:	James Mcardle; Fionnula Flanagnan; Dearbhla Molloy; Paddy Glynn; Stella Mccusker; Niamh Cusack
Crew:	Director: Darren Thornton Writer: Darren Thornton, Colin Thornton Producer: Eric Abraham, Jack Sidey, Martina Niland Tom Comerford ISC (DOP); Gary Dollner ACE (Editor); Gretta Ohle (Editor); Stephen Rennicks & Hugh Drumm (Composer); Celine Haddad (Executive producer); Niamh Fagan (Executive producer); Philip Prettejohn (Executive producer)

Screening Time	March 14th @ 6.30pm – Tickets Here
Summary	A Dublin Taxi driver is confronted with his shameful past on the day of his father’s removal. As the day unfolds, he seeks to resolve his previous actions, but in order to do so, he must first forgive himself.
Runtime:	95 Minutes
Production Company	Banjoman Films
Cast:	Peter Coonan, Olivia Caffrey, Owen Roe, Rob Malone, Ruairi O’Connor, Conor MacNeil, Alan Mahon, Lynn Rafferty, Rejjie Snow
Crew:	Director & Writer: Dermot Malone Producer: Matt D’Arcy Luke Jacobs (DOP), Rob Hegarty (Editor), Gabha Studios (Post Production)

Screening Time	March 15th @ 11am – Tickets Here
Summary	Molly is looking for Magic Only Music Can Awaken
Runtime:	84 Minutes
Production Company	Abu Media Film Productions
Cast:	Edith Lawlor, Barry McGovern, Siobhan O’Kelly, Ruadhan O Flatharta
Crew:	Director: Anne Mc Cabe Writer: Patricia Forde Producers: Bríd Seoighe / Pierce Boyce DoP: Ronan Fox \| Editor: Eoin Mc Donagh

Screening Time	March 15th @ 3pm – Tickets Here
Summary	A damaged teen ages out of foster care. Alone and desperate for a mother figure, she sets out on a destructive path to find one.
Runtime:	95 Minutes
Production Company	Treasure Entertainment
Cast:	Hazel Doupe, Clare Dunne, Peter Coonan, Aaron Monaghan, Liadán Dunlea, James McGowan
Crew:	Director & Writer: Eva Birthistle Producer: Claire McCaughley