Short Films
IrishFFLA26
Across four curated screenings, the Irish Film Festival Los Angeles 2026 presents 30 short films showcasing the breadth of contemporary Irish cinema, from emerging voices to established filmmakers, spanning animation, documentary, drama, comedy, Irish-language work, and LGBTQ+ storytelling.
Click on a film to learn more and grab your tickets!
NEW VOICES: Friday, March 20th at 4pm
Éiru | Dive | Taxi | Anziety | Dragon’s Teeth | Trasna na Líne | Retirement Plan
Éiru
Screening as part of New Voices on Friday, March 20th at 4:00pm – Screen 1
Runtime: 13 minutes
Production Company: Cartoon Saloon
Summary:
When the water disappears from the well in a warrior clan’s village, an intrepid child descends into the belly of the earth to retrieve it.
Director:
Giovanna Ferrari
Writer:
Giovanna Ferrari
Producer:
Nora Twomey
Cast:
Coco Teehan Roche, Michael McGrath, Lydia Deegan, Lucy Philpott
Links:
https://www.cartoonsaloon.ie/eiru/
https://www.instagram.com/eiruofficial/
https://www.instagram.com/cartoonsaloon/
https://www.instagram.com/ferrarianimation/
Dive
Composer Joseph Conlon will attend a Q&A session after this screening.
Screening as part of New Voices on Friday, March 20th at 4:00pm – Screen 1
Runtime: 8 minutes
Production Company: Two-Wit Two-Woo Films, Bonnie YaYa Productions, Film Venture
Summary:
High above the Atlantic, Jess stands at a precipice between memory and momentum – where the past and future crash like the waves below.
Director / Writer:
Amy-Joyce Hastings
Producer:
Michelle King
Cast:
Alison McGirr, Barry John Kinsella, Amy-Joyce Hastings, Faye Kinsella, Carl Finnegan, Eileen Smith
Awards / Festivals:
Waterford International Film Festival (Honourable Mention – Best Short Film), Galway Film Fleadh, Kerry International Film Festival, Luxembourg British & Irish Film Festival, San Francisco Irish Film Festival, Chicago Irish Film Festival
Links:
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt37053818/
https://www.instagram.com/dive_short/
https://www.instagram.com/amyjoyhas/
Taxi
Screening as part of New Voices on Friday, March 20th at 4:00pm – Screen 1
Runtime: 4 minutes 30 seconds
Production Company: Remarkable
Summary:
A taxi driver picks up a fare he’d rather not have. He can’t help but show his true colours.
Director:
Donal O’Dea
Writer:
Donal O’Dea, Colin Murphy
Producer:
Donal O’Dea
Cast:
Joe McCarthy, Jessica Okakpu
Awards / Festivals:
Luleå International Film Festival (Sweden), Underground Film Festival (Ireland), AltFF (Canada)
Anziety
Composer Enda Gallery will attend a Q&A session after this screening
Screening as part of New Voices on Friday, March 20th at 4:00pm – Screen 1
Runtime: 11 minutes
Production Company: TPWM Films
Summary:
’Anziety’ is Ian’s journey to becoming a drag artist. Weaving through death, loss, and foster care, he brings us to his darkest moments, yet we end up in a room full of love.
Director / Writer / Producer:
Dave O Carroll
Cast:
Ian Farrell / Anziety
Dragon’s Teeth
Screening as part of New Voices on Friday, March 20th at 4:00pm – Screen 1
Runtime: 21 minutes
Production Company: Reel Borders
Summary:
A hauntological exploration of Northern Ireland’s landscapes and the remnants of its occupied past,
Director / Writer:
Lennart Soberon
Producer:
Kevin Smets
Cast:
Aoibhéann McCann (Narrator), Sakis Brönnimann (Ghost)
Trasna Na Líne
Screening as part of New Voices on Friday, March 20th at 4:00pm – Screen 1
Runtime: 17 minutes
Production Company: Reblis Films
Contains Irish-language dialogue with English subtitles.
Summary:
A mockumentary comedy following student teacher Emma, who through a white lie finds herself working at a Dublin Gaelscoil – without a word of Irish
Director:
Niamh Bryson
Writers:
Niamh Bryson, Heather O’Sullivan
Producer:
Lisa Turnbull-Daly
Cast:
Heather O’Sullivan, Siobhán O’Kelly, Ste Murray, Shauna Harris, Brid Ní Chumhaill, Peadar Cox, Cristofer Marerro, Eimear Morrissey
Awards / Festivals:
DIFF – Sue Bruce Smith Winner
Links:
https://www.reblisfilms.com
https://www.instagram.com/acrossthelinefilm/
https://www.instagram.com/reblisfilms/
https://www.instagram.com/niamhbryson/
https://www.instagram.com/heatherosullivan/
Retirement Plan
This OSCAR NOMINATED SHORT FILM will screen as part of New Voices on Friday, March 20th at 4:00pm – Screen 1
Runtime: 7 minutes
Production Company: Antidote
Summary:
Dissatisfied with life, Ray (Domhnall Gleeson) dreams of the beauty and joy he’ll find when work finally ends.
Director:
John Kelly
Writers:
John Kelly, Tara Lawall
Producers:
Andrew Freedman, Julie Murnaghan
Cast:
Domhnall Gleeson
Awards / Festivals:
Multiple Oscar-qualifying awards including SXSW, Palm Springs ShortFest, Animation Dingle, Irish Animation Awards, Foyle Film Festival, Newport Beach Film Festival, and more.
Links:
https://www.retirementplanfilm.com
https://www.instagram.com/johnkelly_jnr/
https://www.instagram.com/taralawallwritessometimes/
THE AUTEURS: Saturday, March 21st at 10am
No Worries! | The Laughing Boys | GAP | Dress Smart | Divorce Roulette | One Last Show in Taghmon | John Gunning: Big In Japan | Whins
No Worries!
Screening as part of The Auteurs on Saturday, March 21st at 10:00am – Screen 1
Runtime: 2 minutes
Production Company: D11 Stories
Summary:
With the new school year looming, 10-year-old PJ’s anxiety manifests as a 300-pound gorilla only he can see! Now he has to face his fears, a smelly schoolbag and last year’s lunch.
Director:
Chris Dicker
Writers:
Chris Dicker, Amy Stephenson, Shane Langan, PJ Gallagher
Producer:
Lena Byrne
Cast:
Cillian Sullivan, PJ Gallagher, Emma Doran, Marty Whelan
Awards / Festivals:
Dublin International Comedy Festival – Best Animation
San Diego Short Film Festival – Best Animation of the Year
Links:
https://www.instagram.com/lenabyrne228/
https://www.instagram.com/chrisdickerart/
https://www.instagram.com/pjgallagher/
https://www.instagram.com/d11stories/
The Laughing Boys
Screening as part of The Auteurs on Saturday, March 21st at 10:00am – Screen 1
Runtime: 6 minutes
Production Company: Document Films
Summary:
In the rubble of St. Teresa’s Gardens flats, Mary reminisces about a childhood of laughter and joy before inter-generational trauma revealed itself in addiction and illness.
Directors:
Róisín Kearney, Caroline Grace-Cassidy
Writer:
Róisín Kearney
Producer:
Kevin Cassidy
Cast:
Mary Murray
Awards / Festivals:
Galway Film Fleadh
Gap
Screening as part of The Auteurs on Saturday, March 21st at 10:00am – Screen 1
Runtime: 12 minutes 20 seconds
Production Company: Mycrofilms
Summary:
After a sudden kidnapping, Stephen lures a mysterious masked man to his childhood home. Inside, they confront the old house and the memories of his father’s accidental death.
Director / Writer:
Stephen Colfer
John Morton
Alan Slattery
Gavin Drea
Fionnuala Murphy
Nessa Matthews
Aidan Thornton
Key Crew:
Cinematography: Philip Blake
Editor: Richie Cody
Casting: Áine O’Sullivan
Links:
https://www.stephencolfer.com
https://www.instagram.com/colferstephen/
Dress Smart
Screening as part of The Auteurs on Saturday, March 21st at 10:00am – Screen 1
Runtime: 8 minutes 24 seconds
Production Company: Four Pillars Productions
Summary:
When the big day arrives, an anxious son fights for his familys stability, but his fate is out of his hands.
Director / Writer:
Trevor Kaneswaran
Producers: Niamh Branigan, Trevor Kaneswaran
Cast:
Trevor Kaneswaran, Paul Tylak
Awards / Festivals:
London Breeze Film Festival 2025
Links:
https://www.instagram.com/trevor_kaneswaran/
https://www.instagram.com/four_pillars_productions/
https://www.instagram.com/niamh_branigan_/
Divorce Roulette
Kevin Ryan [Actor], Richie Stephens [Actor], David Golden [Director], will attend a Q&A session after the screening.
Screening as part of The Auteurs on Saturday, March 21st at 10:00am – Screen 1
Runtime: 12 minutes
Production Company: Zero Dinero
Summary:
A vulnerable man falls under the influence of his misogynistic co-worker
Director / Writer / Producer: Daithí Golden
Cast:
Kevin Ryan, Richie Stephens, Roman Mitichyan, Sean Bolger & Eoin MacGowan.
One Last Show in Taghmon
Screening as part of The Auteurs on Saturday, March 21st at 10:00am – Screen 1
Runtime: 22 minutes 52 seconds
Production Company: PMcC Media
Summary:
One Last Show is a poignant, character-driven true story set in rural Ireland in the early 1980s. Against the backdrop of a fading stunt-show circuit, the film explores love, exile, legacy, and the cost of freedom, as a group of performers risk their lives nightly for dwindling audiences—unaware that this final tour will change them forever. At its heart, the film is about people living on the edge: of relevance, of safety, and of love.
Director / Writer:
Alan Walsh
Producer:
Paddy McCarney
Cast:
Simon Delaney, Adam Weafer, Isabelle Harriet
Awards / Festivals:
Paris Online Film Festival
Calgary Independent Film Festival
London Movie Awards – Gold Award, Best Director
John Gunning: Big In Japan
Screening as part of The Auteurs on Saturday, March 21st at 10:00am – Screen 1
Runtime: 7 minutes 45 seconds
Production Company: Roscio Films & Outpost
Summary:
The incredible story of an Irishman who went to Japan and became a sumo wrestler!
Director / Writer:
Nicky Larkin
Producers:
Nicky Larkin, Robin Morgan, Joshua Mulhall
Cast:
John Gunning
Awards / Festivals:
Chicago Irish Film Festival
Toronto Irish Film Festival
Links:
https://www.nickylarkinfilm.com
https://www.instagram.com/nicky_larkin/
Whins
Screening as part of The Auteurs on Saturday, March 21st at 10:00am – Screen 1
Runtime: 13 minutes
Production Company: RAW Inventive
Summary:
On Daire’s final morning at home, everything seems as it has always been. He has breakfast with his sister Saorlaith, before she drives him to the airport. A lifelong inclination to never discuss what is actually at hand leads to meaningless conversations and arguments. The push and pull of a sibling relationship leads them along winding roads to the airport, where they refuse to say goodbye.
Director / Writer:
Eimear Fearon
Producer:
Benjamin Jacob Smith
Cast:
Eimear Fearon, Conor Quinn
Awards / Festivals:
Capital Irish Film Festival
Toronto Irish Film Festival
Links:
https://www.instagram.com/eimear4/
https://www.instagram.com/rawinventive/
THE FUTURES: Sunday, March 22nd at 10am
Ceol | One by one, the lights go out | Three Keenings | One More Round | I Do | The Final Chapter | Scáth / Shadow | Naked Lights
Ceol
Screening as part of The Futures on Sunday, March 22nd at 10:00am – Screen 1
Runtime: 2 minutes
Production Company: Wiggleywoo Ltd
Summary:
An old Irish man starts to play the Bodhran in the corner of an empty pub, setting off a sequence of events through music, place, and time.
Director / Writer:
Gilly (Gary Gill)
Producer:
Susan Broe
Key Crew:
Animation: Andrew Dawson
Awards / Festivals:
Tea with the Dead (Short, 2013) – Best Animation (Raindance, Rhode Island, Aspen Shortfest)
One by one, the lights go out
Screening as part of The Futures on Sunday, March 22nd at 10:00am – Screen 1
Runtime: 6 minutes 34 seconds
Production Company: Fetket Ltd
Summary:
As the filmmaker’s 87 year old father steps away from the land he has tended for decades, the film captures the quiet end of an era for a family farm steeped in history and memory.
Director:
Kathy Raftery
Writers:
Michael Harding, Kathy Raftery
Producers:
Laura Cranley, Kathy Raftery
Key Crew:
Cinematography: Peter Clyne
Editor: Fernando De Juan
Links:
https://www.kathyraftery.com
https://www.instagram.com/rafterykathy/
Three Keenings
Screening as part of The Futures on Sunday, March 22nd at 10:00am – Screen 1
Runtime: 10 minutes
Production Company:
Summary:
Ian is a struggling actor who finds himself in the unconventional role of a professional mourner. As he tours the Northern Irish countryside, his practised mask of apathy begins to slip amongst the humour and heartache of the local funeral circuit.
Director / Writer:
Oliver McGoldrick
Producers:
Oliver McGoldrick, Natalie Remplakowski, Cade Featherstone, Chloe Langton
Cast:
Seamus O’Hara, Sean Kearn, Caitriona Hinds, Niall Cusack, Olivia Nash, Aidan McCaughey, Colin Carnegie, Conor O’Donnell, Casey Jade Campbell, Lucas Ache
Links:
https://www.lightsonfilm.com/THREEKEENINGS.html
https://www.instagram.com/omcgoldrick/
One More Round
Screening as part of The Futures on Sunday, March 22nd at 10:00am – Screen 1
Runtime: 17 minutes 22 seconds
Production Company: Samson Films
Summary:
Amy, a driven beauty therapist from North Dublin, is desperate for a baby. Darren, an easy going street-sweeper for Dublin Council, has a literal pain in his balls from trying. Between the constant invites to their friends’ baby showers & gender reveals and the cobbling together of money for round after round of IVF, the financial and emotional pressures they are experiencing tip these working class Dubliners over the edge.
Director:
Barry O’Connor
Producer:
Lauren Larkin
Writer:
Natalie Britton
Cast:
Lauren Larkin, Lloyd Cooney
Links:
https://www.instagram.com/onemoreroundfilm/
https://www.instagram.com/samon_films/
https://www.instagram.com/barryo_connor/
https://www.instagram.com/nataliebritton4/
https://www.instagram.com/laurenlarkin10/
I DO {GLACAIM}
Joseph Jones [Director & Writer], Patrick Sheldon [Producer] will attend a Q&A session after the screening.
Screening as part of The Futures on Sunday, March 22nd at 10:00am – Screen 1
Runtime: 10 minutes 53 seconds
Contains Irish-language dialogue with English subtitles.
Summary:
In the quiet, windswept Donegal Gaeltacht, Dónall prepares for his wedding day, but his mind is elsewhere. All is not what it seems.
Director / Writer:
Joseph Jones
Producers:
Tor Cotton, Edel Ní Churraoin, Ada Vaughan, Patrick Sheldon, Jeff Boeckel, Sean Hagerty
Cast:
Joseph Jones, Andrea Emmett, Elaine O’Dwyer, Francis Mezza, Seán Ó Muireagáin
Key Crew:
Director of Photography: Tomás Mac Donncha
Editor: Liam Kelly
Colourist: Mal Campbell
Sound Mixer: Chris Muldoon
Irish Language Consultant: Seán Ó Muireagáin
Hair & Makeup: Hannah Edmundson
Links:
https://www.instagram.com/glacaim_film/
https://www.instagram.com/josephpiercejones/
The Final Chapter
Screening as part of The Futures on Sunday, March 22nd at 10:00am – Screen 1
Runtime: 11 minutes 38 seconds
Production Company:
Summary:
The last days of a unique bookshop in Dún Laoghaire, run by comedian Kevin Gildea.
Director: Terence White
Producers: Kevin Gildea, Terence White
Cast: Kevin Gildea
Awards / Festivals:
Best Documentary – Underground Film Festival
Indie Cork Film Festival, Irish Film Berlin, Irish Film Festa Rome, Achill Island Film Festival, Capital Irish Film Festival, San Francisco Irish Film Festival
Shadow {Scáth}
George Hutton [Writer & Actor] will attend a Q&A session after the screening.
Screening as part of The Futures on Sunday, March 22nd at 10:00am – Screen 1
Runtime: 8 minutes 27 seconds
Production Company: Scáth Productions
Summary:
Set against the stillness of rural Ireland, Scáth explores grief, brotherhood, and the shadows the past leaves behind.
Director / Writer:
Chris McKenna
Writer:
George Hutton
Producers:
George Hutton, Chris McKenna, Nathan Ward
Cast:
George Hutton, Nathan Ward
Awards / Festivals:
Best Score – Athens International Monthly Film Festival
Honourable Mention – Disappear Here Now Film Festival
Links:
https://www.instagram.com/thegeorgehutton/
https://www.instagram.com/cricky_captures/
https://www.instagram.com/iamnathanward/
https://www.instagram.com/dannytrouton/
https://www.instagram.com/colmmckenna_/
Naked Lights
Screening as part of The Futures on Sunday, March 22nd at 10:00am – Screen 1
Runtime: 14 minutes 08 seconds
Production Company: Carbonated Comet Productions
Summary:
When a masked stranger threatens to burn down a 24-hour petrol station, disaffected night shift attendant Emma is all that stands in his way.
Director / Writer:
Jeda de Brí
Producer:
Greg Burrowes
Cast:
Hannah Mamalis, Fionn Foley, Keith Jordan, Ashleigh Dorrell
Awards / Festivals:
Best Short – Irish Film Festival London
Audience Award (Short Film) – Dublin International Film Festival
Best Film – Clones International Film Festival
Best Short Film – Dingle International Film Festival
THE CONTEMPORARIES: Sunday, March 22nd at 12pm
ReRooted | Mouse | The Cloud Herder | The Axe Forgets | Tommy, My Neighbour | Same Difference | Heartsick
ReRooted
Screening as part of The Contemporaries on Sunday, March 22nd at 12:00pm – Screen 1
Runtime: 6 minutes 31 seconds
Production Company: Cardel Entertainment
Summary:
A bored warehouse worker’s quest for an enduring legacy as an animator takes a darkly comedic turn when she signs up for an eco-friendly burial.
Directors:
Christian Spurling, Delphine Coudray
Writer:
Delphine Coudray
Producer:
Michael Lee
Key Crew:
Composer: Morgan C Jones
Awards / Festivals:
IFTA Nominee
Winner – Best Animation, OFFline Film Festival 2025
Winner – Best Original Score (Patrick Hatchett), Kerry International Film Festival 2025
Mouse
Alan O’Gorman {Writer} will attend a Q&A after the screening.
Screening as part of The Contemporaries on Sunday, March 22nd at 12:00pm – Screen 1
Runtime: 17 minutes 15 seconds
Production Company: RYE Films
Summary:
A headstrong single mother, struggling in her relationship with her teenage daughter, gets caught in a game of cat-and-mouse with some local teenagers.
Director:
Rosie Barrett
Writers:
Alan O’Gorman, Rosie Barrett
Producers:
Aisling Malone, Lorraine Higgins
Cast:
Lynn Rafferty, Lewis Brophy, Lucie Doran
The Cloud Herder
Screening as part of The Contemporaries on Sunday, March 22nd at 12:00pm – Screen 1
Runtime: 7 minutes
Production Company: Daily Madness
Summary:
An aging herder tries to protect her flock of clouds from an oncoming storm.
Director / Writer:
Aidan McAteer
Producer:
Sarah-Jane Kearns
Cast:
Adam Kavanagh, Moni McEvoy, Jonathan Casey
Awards / Festivals:
Galway Film Fleadh 2025
Newport Beach Film Festival 2025
Sitges Film Festival 2025
Links:
https://www.dailymadnessproductions.com/
https://www.instagram.com/cloudherderfilm/
The Axe Forgets
Director John Christopher will attend a Q&A after the screening.
Screening as part of The Contemporaries on Sunday, March 22nd at 12:00pm – Screen 1
Runtime: 18 minutes 36 seconds
Production Company: Birdwall Films
Summary:
Inspired by a true story. In 1888, James S. Jameson, heir to the Jameson Whiskey dynasty, returns to Ireland after a year-long expedition to the Congo. As he attempts a return to normality, the truth begins to unravel.
Director / Writer:
John Christopher
Producer:
John Christopher
Cast:
Harry Butler, Aine Collier
Links:
https://www.instagram.com/johnchriistopher/
https://www.instagram.com/the_axe_forgets/
Tommy, My Neighbour
Screening as part of The Contemporaries on Sunday, March 22nd at 12:00pm – Screen 1
Runtime: 11 minutes 52 seconds
Production Company: National Film School at IADT
Summary:
An elderly Dubliner reflects on a life shaped by alcoholism with quiet humour, at home with three birds, including Tyson, a parrot that mimics his voice.
Director:
Željka Županić
Cast:
Tommy Hendrick
Key Crew:
Cinematography: James Flynn
Composer: Peter Phelan
Awards / Festivals:
Emerging Director Award (EDA), Kerry Film Festival, IndieCork Film Festival, Venice TV Award, Young Directors Award (YDA).
Links:
https://www.instagram.com/tommymyneighbour/
https://www.instagram.com/zeljka_zupanic/
Same Difference
Declan Slattery – Writer/Director of Same Difference will attend a Q&A after this screening.
Screening as part of The Contemporaries on Sunday, March 22nd at 12:00pm – Screen 1
Runtime: 14 minutes 39 seconds
Production Company: Shoot London
Summary:
Same Difference tells the story of the relationship formed between an elderly Irish lady and a young Jamaican man over their shared experiences of racism.
Director:
Declan Slattery
Writers:
Declan Slattery, Joshua Lyster
Producer:
Liam Bendell
Cast:
Joshua Lyster, Fiona Sinnott, Sophie McIntosh
Awards / Festivals:
Bournemouth International Film Festival – Best Cinematography
Tottenham Film Festival – Audience Choice Award
London Film Club Shorts Festival – Best Short Film & Audience Choice
Crystal Palace International Film Festival
Links:
https://www.instagram.com/same_difference_film/
https://www.instagram.com/decslattery/
Heartsick
Screening as part of The Contemporaries on Sunday, March 22nd at 12:00pm – Screen 1
Runtime: 8 minutes 33 seconds
Production Company: RYE Films
Summary:
In an attempt to get the upper hand post break-up, Jess sends an email to her former person detailing just how ‘fine’ she is.
Director / Writer:
MK Quane
Producers:
Aisling Malone, Lorraine Higgins
Cast:
Heather O’Sullivan, Lauren O’Leary, John Doran
Key Crew:
DOP: Sean Doupe
Editor: Laura Briggs
Sound Designer: Tom Morris
Awards / Festivals:
Best Film – Women in Film & TV Ireland Showcase 2025
Best International Film – Bradford International Film Festival
Rising Star Award – Heather O’Sullivan, Kerry International Film Festival
Galway Film Fleadh 2025, Chicago International Film Festival, Uppsala Short Film Festival
Links:
https://www.instagram.com/mkquane/
https://www.instagram.com/heartsickfilm/
https://www.instagram.com/ryefilms/