Young Limerick filmmakers nominated at national awards

LIMERICK will be well-represented at the Grand Final of Ireland’s Young Filmmaker of the Year Awards.

Among this year’s exciting nominees is Barracuda by Izzy Dalton, part of the Emerging Limerick Filmmakers collective in Limerick City, and Cinemaniacs by 13-year-old Mikey Mahon from Corbally.

In the Junior category, Dial S for Sandwich by students of Kilmallock Primary School will also fly the flag for Limerick. 

The awards are taking place in Dublin on April 10, and will be broadcast live on the Fresh Film Festival YouTube Channel, offering a national platform for Limerick’s rising creative voices in youth film.  

All the Shortlisted Films are available to watch in advance on the Fresh Film YouTube Channel. 

In collaboration with Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland, The Arts Council, and Omniplex Cinema Group, the Fresh International Film Festival presents the 2025 Ireland’s Young Filmmaker of the Year Awards (IYFTYs). 

With the spotlight firmly on young cinematic talent, this year's event promises a thrilling blend of creativity, inspiration and a glimpse into the future of filmmaking.

For the first time, the awards will be broadcast live on YouTube on Thursday, April 10, at 8pm, ensuring audiences worldwide can celebrate Ireland’s brightest young filmmaking talent in real-time.

New hosts take centre stage. Two of Ireland’s most exciting comedic talents are leading this year's celebrations: Justine Stafford and Hannah Mamalis. 

Leading the audience through the evening, both on the red carpet and behind the scenes, is the dynamic and multi-talented Limerick actor and comedian Faye Shortt. 

Broadcast live from Omniplex Cinema, Rathmines, Dublin, this year’s event will bring audiences even closer to the action.

Jayne Foley, Artistic Director of Fresh Film, shared her excitement: "This year’s festival is buzzing with energy. With a record-breaking number of entries, it's clear that young filmmakers are thriving. We’re thrilled to be premiering the awards at 8 PM on YouTube, ensuring that young creatives, their families, and film lovers everywhere can join in the celebration like never before”. 

Now in its 29th year, the IYFTYs continue to be a beacon for aspiring filmmakers worldwide. 

Past participants include Oscar-nominated director Vincent Lambe (Detainment), acclaimed Irish filmmaker Dónal Foreman, and comedian and TV personality Justine Stafford, who now returns as a host.

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Mark Anderson, Director of Omniplex Cinema Group, commented: “What a fantastic opportunity to celebrate young talent on the big screen. We are delighted to support Fresh Film in showcasing the creativity and ambition of young filmmakers. Cinema has always been a place for storytelling, and it’s inspiring to see the next generation share their voices on the big screen”.

This year, the Fresh International Film Festival received a record-breaking number of submissions from young filmmakers across Ireland and beyond, showcasing incredible talent, imagination, and storytelling skills. The shortlisted films span across genres—from gripping dramas to thought-provoking documentaries and hilarious animated shorts, proving that the future of film is bright.

Fresh International Film Festival, and the IYFTY’s, encourage young people to explore filmmaking as a career, learning the art of visual storytelling, understanding the filmmaking process from first draft to final frame, and the sustainable career opportunities that exist both in front of and behind the camera, inspiring and building Ireland’s future film, television and digital talent pool. 

The IYFTYs shortlist is a rich collection that showcases the imagination, creativity, and skills of the world’s future storytellers, and interest in the festival from 82 countries is a reflection of Ireland’s ascendancy as a global hub for film, television, digital and creative industries.

Ireland’s Young Filmmaker of the Year Awards encompasses a diverse array of categories, including Best School, Best Cinematography, Best Art Direction, Best Screenplay and many more, alongside specialist awards such as the Radharc Trust Award for documentaries, the new SPI, Most Sustainable Production Award, and the RTÉ Factual Award, along with the highly sought-after peer-to-peer Audience Award.