
The Irish Film Festival Los Angeles 2025

A Celebration of Irish Film
Runs March: 14-16th 2025
Laemmle Monica Film Center, 1332 2nd St, Santa Monica, CA 90401
The Irish Film Festival Los Angeles returns 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 presents 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 showcases several directorial and feature debuts, reinforcing its commitment to supporting emerging talent.
A Full Festival Pass, Day Passes, and Individual Screening Tickets Available Here
Contact Us: [email protected]
Scroll Down for The Full Festival Program & Film Details

The festival opens 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" screens as part of the "New Voices" program, followed by a Q&A with Director TJ O’Grady. Closing out the night is "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."
Throughout the weekend, the festival will feature engaging Q&A sessions with attending filmmakers. Audiences will have 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 can look forward to "EAT / SLEEP / CHEER / REPEAT," which will include a discussion with Director Tanya Doyle and Producer Daniel Hegarty. The festival’s closing program of short films, "The Contemporaries," will feature 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 concludes 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 will be followed by a post-festival celebration, offering audiences a chance to reflect on the weekend’s films and connect with fellow festival goers.
In addition to filmmaker Q&As, the festival will host a series of engaging panel discussions featuring in-depth conversations on key industry topics: Friday: "The Future of Indie Cinema" – Exploring challenges and opportunities for independent filmmakers. Saturday: "Script to Screen" – Insights into the screenwriting and production process. Sunday: "Behind the Camera Lens" – A look at the creative aspects of filmmaking.
For younger audiences, the festival is 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 are 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, Creative Recovery LA, The Irish Film Institute’s IFI International programme in connection with Culture Ireland and Arts Council Ireland.
FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
click a screening to scroll for more info and book Tickets
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



March 15th: 10am | The Auteurs | {90 mins}
Short Films Screening: Dublin Short | The Last of the Hand Weavers | The Enchanted Land | Dembaya | Gael Force | Two Mothers | Smothered
A Q&A session will follow the screening featuring Writer/Director Patrick O'Mahony & Composer James Ó'Ceallaigh of Smothered

March 15th: 12pm | The Futures | {83 mins}
Short Films Screening: I Found A Place | Quicksand | Written in the Stars | The Head on Him | To Break A Circle | Fuel
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.



March 16th: 3pm | The Contemporaries | {80 mins}
Short Films Screening: Wrecker | Call Me Nancy | Farmers!? | Eamon | Cat & Mouse | Yellow Belt
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
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.