Film Ireland Podcast

Presents: Filmmaker Caveh Zahedi (The Show About the Show, Ulysses, New York) at Bloomsday Film Festival

This year, Bloomsday Film Festival will present a special screening of Ulysses, New York - an ambitious 24-part adaptation of Ulysses introduced by director, Caveh Zahedi and hosted by Irish filmmaker Dean Kavanagh. Caveh is an American autobiographical filmmaker celebrated for his experimental, self-reflexive and adventurous work across film, web series, and podcasting. In this podcast, we catch up with Caveh to chat about his art, craft, and plans for the festival. Listen now on SoundCloud, Apple, Spotify, Acast and Amazon, or subscribe to Film Ireland wherever you get your podcasts [https://www.filmireland.net/film-ireland-podcast/] or watch the original recording here. https://www.filmireland.net/podcast-filmmaker-caveh-zahedi-ulysses-new-york-at-bloomsday-film-festival This screening and talk will be taken place on 12th June 2026 7pm to 8:30pm in Belvedere College. Get your tickets here [https://www.bloomsdayfestival.ie/event/bloomsday-film-festival-ulysses-new-york-an-introduction-with-director-caveh-zahedi-2026/]. The Bloomsday Festival [https://www.bloomsdayfestival.ie/] runs from 11th–16th June, with screenings hosted at the historic James Joyce Centre and the Irish Film Institute (IFI). About Ulysses, New York An Introduction with Director Caveh Zahedi  Ulysses, New York is an ambitious 24-part adaptation of James Joyce’s Ulysses by Caveh Zahedi, an American autobiographical filmmaker known for his self-reflexive and formally adventurous approach to cinema. His feature films include Autobiographical Filmmaker Seeks Camera-Friendly Companion (2025), The Sheik and I (2012), I Am a Sex Addict (2005), In the Bathtub of the World (2001), I Don’t Hate Las Vegas Anymore (1994), and A Little Stiff (1991). He is also the creator of the web series The Show About the Show and the writer/host of the podcast 365 Stories I Want To Tell You Before We Both Die. With Ulysses, New York, Zahedi attempts to do to Joyce’s Ulysses what Joyce did to Homer’s The Odyssey: transpose a canonical work into a new time, place and form. The events of 16 June 1904 in Dublin are reimagined as taking place on 16 June 2022 in New York City, on the centenary of the novel’s publication. Following eight actors performing in a Bloomsday stage production of Ulysses, the film moves between Joyce’s chapters onstage and the corresponding hours of the actors’ real day. This special presentation features a work-in-progress version of the introductory episode, followed by a discussion with Zahedi on the challenges of adapting Joyce. Bloomsday Film Festival Ireland’s most literary film festival was established as a celebration of cinema, literature, and artistic innovation, inspired by the far-reaching influence of Ireland’s father of modernism, James Joyce. The festival is presented in partnership with the Bloomsday Festival and the James Joyce Centre, and runs from 11–16 June, with screenings hosted at the historic James Joyce Centre and the Irish Film Institute (IFI). Continuing its annual traditions, the festival marks the birthday of W.B. Yeats on 13 June with a curated programme of poetry and literature-inspired short films. On 14 June, in keeping with Joyce’s radical and experimental spirit, the programme showcases a selection of innovative experimental films. The following day, 15 June, celebrates the anniversary of the publication of Dubliners with screenings of Joycean short films and adaptations of Dublin-based stories. Alongside its cinematic programme, the Bloomsday Film Festival presents a diverse range of events, including director Q&As, workshops, musical performances, and poetry readings. At its core, the festival is committed to fostering artistic innovation - championing filmmakers who forge their own paths and create work that pushes the boundaries of the medium, in the same pioneering spirit that defined Joyce’s literary legacy. Check out the programme & get tickets at www.bloomsdayfestival.ie [https://www.bloomsdayfestival.ie/bloomsday-film-festival/]. Over the years, the podcast has featured acclaimed guests such as Phyllida Lloyd, Lenny Abrahamson, M. Night Shyamalan, John Boorman, Saoirse Ronan, Colin Farrell, Aisha Tyler, Colm Meaney, Paul Reiser, Niamh Algar, David Freyne, Ciarán Donnelly, Joshua Oppenheimer, John Crowley, Niamh Algar, Gene Stupnitsky, and Terence Davies, alongside many of the most influential voices working in film and television today. So make sure to subscribe and listen back! ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Presents: Animator Giovanna Ferrari on Oscar-shortlisted Short 'Éiru'

Recorded live at RENDR 2026 we caught up with Oscar-shortlisted animator and acclaimed storyboard artist Giovanna Ferrari about her latest short film Éiru. With a career spanning major European productions and some of Ireland’s most celebrated animated features, Ferrari reflects on her creative journey, the rewards and challenges of storyboarding, and the evolving language of animation. From her early work in France to her current role at Cartoon Saloon, she discusses the collaborative process behind award-winning films, as well as the personal inspiration driving her own directorial work. In partnership with RENDR Festival [https://www.rendrfestival.com/?ref=filmireland.net] and supported by the National Talent Academy for VFX [https://www.nationaltalentacademies.ie/vfx?ref=filmireland.net], this series of talks was recorded in The Spinners Mill Studio, a podcast and DJ studio based in Banana Block [https://bananablock.org/?ref=filmireland.net] offering tailored solutions for DJ sessions, small-scale events and podcasting from concept to final distribution. About Giovanna Ferrari Since the early 2000s, Giovanna has worked on several feature films across Europe both as Storyboard Artist and Animator. After working in France for 10 years, she moved to Ireland and worked with Cartoon Saloon on a number of projects, including Song of The Sea, The Breadwinner and Wolfwalkers. Recently she was Head of Story and Animation Director of Cartoon Saloon’s new feature film My Father’s Dragon produced by Netflix and directed by Nora Twomey. Giovanna’s storyboarding on The Breadwinner was awarded with an Emile Award in 2018. ÉIRU, a short film written and directed by Giovanna, and produced by Cartoon Saloon was one of 15 Animated Short Films shortlisted for the 98th Academy Awards® and has screened at festivals all across the globe. Éiru is the smallest child of a mighty and powerful clan of Iron age Irish warriors. When the village well mysteriously dries up, she can finally prove herself worthy of her clan's name by descending into the belly of the earth and facing whoever or whatever has stolen their water. RENDR Festival This is a unique event [https://www.rendrfestival.com/?ref=filmireland.net] celebrating creative craft and artistry in a fully immersive two-day festival exploring the space between Creativity and Technology. Ignite your imagination with inspiring speakers from the worlds of Film, Gaming, Animation, Immersive, and more! Learn from the best, with 30+ creatives from the likes of Netflix, Pixar, Walt Disney Studios and Epic Games among others. Witness creative uses of new technology, explore the gallery of digital art, chow down at the food village or play in the arcade. You will be transported to the future, and provide you with unforgettable and inspirational nights. Like nothing you have experienced before, our unique combination is guaranteed to provide two nights you can’t miss. Come for the talks, stay for the experience! National Talent Academy for Visual Effects As the newest of the Academies, the National Talent Academy for VFX provides support and opportunities for anyone interested in a career in VFX. Launched in 2024, the National Talent Academy for VFX is an initiative of Fis Eireann/Screen Ireland, managed by Cultural & Creative Industries Skillnet. Their mission is to transform aspiring VFX artists into industry-ready professionals while providing ongoing upskilling opportunities for current talent. Through comprehensive courses and programmess, we introduce participants to best practices both locally and globally, creating clear pathways and solidifying Ireland’s reputation as a premier destination for VFX. The National Talent Academy for VFX is dedicated to attracting individuals from diverse backgrounds and disciplines, fostering greater awareness of VFX as a viable and exciting career choice. Learn more about the work they do here [https://www.nationaltalentacademies.ie/vfx?ref=filmireland.net] Over the years, the podcast has featured acclaimed guests such as Phyllida Lloyd, Lenny Abrahamson, M. Night Shyamalan, John Boorman, Saoirse Ronan, Colin Farrell, Aisha Tyler, Colm Meaney, Paul Reiser, Niamh Algar, David Freyne, Ciarán Donnelly, Joshua Oppenheimer, John Crowley, Niamh Algar, Gene Stupnitsky, and Terence Davies, alongside many of the most influential voices working in film and television today. So make sure to subscribe and listen back! ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

DocArena: BAFTA-Winning Director John Dower (The Balloonists, Thriller in Manila, My Scientology Movie)

In episode 26 of the DocArena Podcast, Ross Whitaker catches up once again with BAFTA Award-winning director John Dower (Lockerbie, Thriller in Manila, My Scientology Movie) to discuss his latest film, The Balloonists. In cinemas on 22nd May, this gripping documentary follows explorer Bertrand Piccard and British flying instructor Brian Jones as they take on the world’s top aeronauts and billionaires in a high-stakes race to become the first to fly nonstop around the globe in a balloon. This podcast has been made possible with the support of the Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland Stakeholders Fund. Listen now on SoundCloud, Apple, Spotify, Acast and Amazon, or subscribe to Film Ireland wherever you get your podcasts [https://www.filmireland.net/film-ireland-podcast/]. > Welcome to The DocArena Podcast in association with Film Ireland. My name is Ross Whitaker and every fortnight, I want to dig deeply into the motivations of documentary filmmakers – how do they choose their subject material and what approaches and strategies do they employ to fund, craft and distribute their work… JOHN DOWER John Dower is a British director who recently won a BAFTA for his series Lockerbie. His feature Thriller in Manila played at Sundance in 2009, went on to be BAFTA and Emmy-nominated, and won a Grierson and a Peabody. His film Bradley Wiggins: A Year In Yellow was BAFTA nominated in the Best Director category. John's other films include the music documentary Live Forever, My Scientology Movie, the Netflix series Sophie – A Murder in West Cork, and The Mystery of DB Cooper, described by The Guardian as, “a real-life Twin Peaks … highly entertaining” and the Times calling it “all but flawless.” The Balloonists The Balloonists, a thrilling new documentary opens in the winter of 1999, when Piccard - from a family of record-breaking explorers - and Jones set out to complete the last great aviation challenge of the 20th century: circumnavigating the globe nonstop in a hot-air balloon. With rival teams launching across the world, the race is on to secure a place in the history books. Working together, they must overcome extreme weather conditions, survive potentially fatal technical failures, and endure mounting mental and physical exhaustion. An exhilarating ride through breathtaking heights and perilous challenges, The Balloonists is a life-affirming story of adventure, obsession and friendship - drawn from a rich archive capturing the highs and lows of their extraordinary journey. The Balloonists is produced by Rise Films, the Oscar-winning company behind Icarus, All That Breathes, Nuisance Bear, The Invisible War, The Interrupters and George Carlin’s American Dream. The film is produced in association with Anonymous Content and Red Bull Studios. In Irish cinemas 22 May 2026. CHECK OUT MORE DOCARENA EPISODES HERE [https://filmireland.net/tag/docarena/?ref=filmireland.net] Podcast music composed by michaelflemingmusic.com [http://www.michaelflemingmusic.com/?ref=filmireland.net] Ross Whitaker is a filmmaker and former editor of Film Ireland Magazine and programmer of the IFI Dublin Documentary Film Festival @RossWhitakerTV [https://twitter.com/rosswhitakertv?ref=filmireland.net] Ross is a producer and/or director of the feature documentaries Beat the Lotto (2025), Katie (2018), Between Land and Sea (2016), Unbreakable (2014) and Saviours (2007). His recent work includes the TV documentaries This Is Open Country (2025) for NBC/Sky, Birdsong (2024) for RTÉ (+ BBC, ARTE), Rachael Blackmore: A Grand Year (2021) for ITV/RTÉ, Barney Curley Beat the Bookies (2021) for BBC/RTÉ and The Boys in Green (2020) for RTÉ. His short documentaries include the award-winning Bye Bye Now (2009) and Home Turf (2011), as well as the documentary commercial Sleeping Flags (2019), which won prestigious D&AD and Cannes Lions Awards.  Over the years, the podcast has featured acclaimed guests such as Phyllida Lloyd, Lenny Abrahamson, M. Night Shyamalan, John Boorman, Saoirse Ronan, Colin Farrell, Aisha Tyler, Colm Meaney, Paul Reiser, Niamh Algar, David Freyne, Ciarán Donnelly, Joshua Oppenheimer, John Crowley, Niamh Algar, Gene Stupnitsky, and Terence Davies, alongside many of the most influential voices working in film and television today. So make sure to subscribe and listen back! ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Presents: Filmmaker Róisín Kearney (ÉIST, Paddy) on Puttnam Script Award Premiere

In this Film Ireland Podcast, we catch up with writer/director Róisín Kearney whose latest short, ÉIST, starring Stephen Rea, is set to premiere at the Fastnet Film Festival on Sunday 24th May following its Puttnam Script Award win. Róisín has established a career across film, TV and theatre, from directing RTÉ documentary series Keep It Up to producing award-winning shorts including The Ferry and Prodigy. She directed the short multi-award-winning short PADDY, which screened at festivals around the world. In this episode, Róisín joins fellow filmmaker Rachel Melita to talk about coming back into the industry, the realities of funding and development, directing documentary versus drama, writing authentic characters, and the collaborative process of bringing ÉIST to life. ÉIST Starring Stephen Rea, Aaron Monaghan, and Louis Kirwan, Éíst is written and directed by Róisín Kearney and produced by her long-time collaborator Caroline Grace-Cassidy as well as Kevin Cassidy for Document Films. Éíst is a meditation on memory, loss, and childhood trauma, explored through the quiet bravery of a young boy who listens. When he hears his ailing grandfather cry out, he hatches a plan to break him out of his nursing home and return him to his island home, where he hopes to make peace with the ocean that claimed his brother’s life. A story of innocence and empathy, the film explores a child’s sense of fairness as he breaks the rules to fulfil his grandfather’s wish.  A story of innocence and empathy, Éíst explores a child’s sense of fairness as he breaks the rules to fulfil his grandfather’s wish. Shot on location in West Cork, the film's cinematography is by Eleanor Bowman. Éíst will premiere at Fastnet Film Festival [https://www.fastnetfilmfestival.com/] on Sunday, 24th May in the Palace Cinema at Schull Harbour Hotel. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with Róisín Kearney, Caroline Grace-Cassidy, Stephen Rea, David and Patsy Puttnam, Jean Van Sindern Law, moderated by John Kelleher. RÓISÍN KEARNEY Beginning her career in theatre lighting design and stage direction, Roisin moved into film after working on low-budget independent productions in the late 1990s and early 2000s. She later stepped back to focus on family, working on the periphery of the industry in script development and copywriting for producers. She returned to writing with the comedy short The Love Agency (2014), later developed as a radio play. Her film work includes The Ballad of Olive Morris (EP, shortlisted BAFTA 2023), The Secret Life of Jim (producer, multiple award winner), PADDY (director, premiered Galway Film Fleadh 2020), The Ferry (co-producer, Academy long-listed 2021), The Family Way (writer/producer, shortlisted EdFest New Voice Award), RUN (co-writer/director, premiered Galway Film Fleadh 2019 and toured internationally), No Dogs (writer/director, nominated Best Female Director Cork Indie FF), and Keep It Up (hybrid documentary series for Macalla Teo and RTÉ, Celtic Media Festival nominated). She is also producer of the award-winning radio play Adventures of a Young Pirate Queen, now in its third season on RTÉ Jr Radio. Her projects in development include Playing For Ireland (documentary, Tile Media), RIP (comedy drama series, Babyjane Productions, Screen Ireland supported), Spoke (feature film, Roundstone Media, Screen Ireland supported), Moon Walk(theatre, Arts Council supported), and Like, Vintage (comedy drama feature, with Caroline Grace Cassidy and Document Films). She has also developed TV scripts including Patrius (Belfast crime thriller) and Bloodlines (blue-sky drama series). Over the years, the podcast has featured acclaimed guests such as Phyllida Lloyd, Lenny Abrahamson, M. Night Shyamalan, John Boorman, Saoirse Ronan, Colin Farrell, Aisha Tyler, Colm Meaney, Paul Reiser, Niamh Algar, David Freyne, Ciarán Donnelly, Joshua Oppenheimer, John Crowley, Niamh Algar, Gene Stupnitsky, and Terence Davies, alongside many of the most influential voices working in film and television today. So make sure to subscribe and listen back! ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Presents: Ruán Magan (Báite/Daniel O'Connell: The Emancipator) at Capital Irish Film Festival

In this Film Ireland podcast, recorded live on location in Washington, D.C. at the Capital Irish Film Festival, Gemma Creagh chats with producer, writer and director Ruán Magan his films Báite and Daniel O'Connell: The Emancipator, which were both screening in the programme.  Presented annually by Solas Nua, the 20th edition of the Capital Irish Film Festival ran from 26th February to 1st March 2026, presenting one of the largest programmes of Irish cinema in North America. We learn more about the great work they do by catching up with the festival's director Maedhbh Mc Cullagh. Finally we hear from some of the attendees at the event... Báite A woman's body is found under the waters of a lake in the countryside, and the arrival of a Detective from Dublin is the last thing Peggy, the owner of Casey's Pub, needs as she tries to save her business and her family. Daniel O'Connell: The Emancipator  Narrated by Domhnall Gleeson, this hour-long documentary explores the life and legacy of Daniel O’Connell to mark the 250th anniversary of his birth in 2025. Ruán Magan  Ruán is a producer, writer and director whose work in drama, documentary and stadium events has reached audiences of millions throughout the world. Having begun his career in the movie business, Ruán has worked as an assistant director and location manger in major Hollywood films including Far & Away, The Devil’s Own and Michael Collins. Ruán established Create One in 1996 spurred by the ideal of creating high end content that explored and celebrated the human condition. The company’s first production was a documentary presented by the writer and playright, Manchán Magan filmed in India. This led to a long collaboration which saw the two brothers producing 30 documentaries filmed in India, South America, the Middle East, the USA, Europe and China. In 1998, Create One produced By Design. This 6 part documentary series produced by Ruán Magan in collaboration with Fox Laurber and Little Bird, design expert, Garrett O’Hagan and directer, Geoff Dunlop, looked at the crucial role that design plays in the human world. It aired across Europe and the US. Since then Ruán has continued to produce project through Create One while also embarking on an international career that has seen him direct and produce projects in the US, Europe and China for Discovery, History Channel, Smithsonian, BBC, ARTE and Tencent. Drama projects directed by Ruán Magan include Báite (Danu Media), Wrecking The Rising/Éirí Amach Amú (Tile Films), Éoinín na nÉan (TG4) and Angel (Create One). His screenplays No Fury and The Noticer. Maedhbh Mc Cullagh  Maedhbh is a multidisciplinary cultural producer, arts programmer and creative consultant. For more than two decades she has been producing and managing artistic programs, presentations, productions, and special events for international festivals, cultural institutes and organizations, in Europe and the US, including appointments as the Associate Director of Irish Screen America, Managing Director of the world-renowned Abrons Arts Center, independent freelance producer at Performance Space NY, The Civilians Theater Company, The Foundry Theatre, the Alliance of Resident Theatres, and program director of the international Dublin Fringe Festival. About Capital Irish Film Festival Solas Nua’s annual Capital Irish Film Festival in Washington, D.C., presents one of the largest programmes of Irish cinema in North America, showcasing the latest Irish dramatic and documentary features, shorts, art films and animation releases by Irish and Ireland-based filmmakers. The festival provides a US platform that amplifies the work of independent filmmakers working in Ireland and beyond, and celebrates the strength of Ireland’s contemporary cinematic culture. The programme highlights the country’s rich cultural heritage while fostering an inclusive and diverse community of Irish filmmakers. Over the years, the podcast has featured acclaimed guests such as Phyllida Lloyd, Lenny Abrahamson, M. Night Shyamalan, John Boorman, Saoirse Ronan, Colin Farrell, Aisha Tyler, Colm Meaney, Paul Reiser, Niamh Algar, David Freyne, Ciarán Donnelly, Joshua Oppenheimer, John Crowley, Niamh Algar, Gene Stupnitsky, and Terence Davies, alongside many of the most influential voices working in film and television today. So make sure to subscribe and listen back! ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.