Galway Film Fleadh, arguably Ireland’s leading film festival, will hold its 37th edition from 8-13 July 2025 at the Town Hall Theatre and Pálás Cinema in Galway city. Curated by Director of Programming Maeve McGrath, the six-day event will present a diverse programme of feature films, documentaries, shorts, and industry events, supported by the Arts Council, Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland, TG4, Coimisiún na Meán, Galway City Council, and Fáilte Ireland. Visitors can expect a comprehensive cinematic experience with tickets available via www.galwayfilmfleadh.com or the Town Hall Theatre box office (091 569777).
Founded in 1989 as part of the Galway Arts Festival, the Galway Film Fleadh was established to provide a platform for Irish filmmakers to showcase their work to peers. Initially held at the Claddagh Palace until its closure in 1995, the festival was driven by a group of local arts advocates, including founding figures like Lelia Doolan and Miriam Allen, who sought to foster a vibrant film culture in Galway. The festival has since evolved into an international event, recognised in 2022 by MovieMaker magazine as one of the “50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee.”
The introduction of the Galway Film Fair in 1997, England and Ireland’s first dedicated film market, marked a significant milestone, offering filmmakers opportunities to connect with financiers, distributors, and producers. The festival’s commitment to nurturing talent is evident in its Generation Fleadh, a winter programme for young audiences, and its status as a qualifying festival for the Academy Awards’ Short Film Category since 2011. Over the years, it has premiered notable films like The Young Offenders and Song of the Sea, cementing its role as a launchpad for emerging talent.
The 2025 festival will feature 96 feature films, including 31 world premieres, 11 international/European premieres, and 46 Irish premieres from 44 countries, with a record 44 Irish feature films, including 11 in the Irish language. The programme opens on 8 July at 7pm with the Irish premiere of Re-Creation, co-directed by Jim Sheridan and David Merriman, a fictionalised trial exploring the 1996 murder of Sophie Toscan Du Plantier, featuring Vicky Krieps, Aidan Gillen, and Colm Meaney. The closing film, The Life of Chuck, a TIFF People’s Choice Award winner, screens on 13 July. Other highlights include:
- Documentaries: Gerry Adams, A Ballymurphy Man by Trisha Ziff, premiering 12 July at 4pm, traces the life of the controversial Irish figure, and The Negotiator by Trevor Birney, premiering 11 July at 9am, examines Senator George J. Mitchell’s role in the Good Friday Agreement.
- Irish Features: Screen Ireland-supported films like Báite, a 1975-set Irish-language drama by Ruán Magan, premiering 9 July at 7pm, and Sunphlowers, about a woman’s discovery of her husband’s death, alongside Listen to the Land Speak by Maurice O’Brien, exploring Ireland’s sacred sites.
- Short Films: Over 100 Irish and international shorts, competing for Oscar-qualifying prizes, including Screen Ireland’s Focus and Frameworks Shorts on 12 July.
- Special Strands: The France-In-Focus programme, in collaboration with the French Embassy, highlights French cinema, while Peripheral Visions showcases first and second features from countries like Serbia and Belgium, offering a €5,000 prize. What The Fleadh?! presents genre films like The Morrigan.
- Industry Events: The Galway Film Fair, running alongside the festival, facilitates meetings between filmmakers and industry professionals, with masterclasses in directing by Ali Abbasi and casting by Maureen Hughes, Louise Kiely, and Luci Lenox. The Fleadh Forum, with keynote speaker Christine Vachon, addresses industry trends. A pitching competition and screenwriter workshops, including one with Constance Tsang, are also scheduled.
- Screenings occur at the Town Hall Theatre and Pálás Cinema, with three simultaneous screens at Pálás, managed by the festival through an agreement with Galway City Council. Ticket prices range from €11 for daytime screenings to €30 for the opening night, with multi-ticket deals available. Venues are accessible, but attendees should check for updates, as some events may have limited seating. No camping is offered, but accommodations like The Hardiman or Clybaun Hotel are near festival venues. Visitors are advised to use public transport, with Salthill and city centre parking limited, and to arrive 15 minutes early for screenings.
The festival encourages sustainable travel via Irish Rail or local buses to Galway’s Ceannt Station. Food and drink are available at venues, with cash recommended for smaller stalls. The festival app provides schedules and updates. The Galway Film Fleadh 2025 offers a focused platform for filmmakers and audiences to engage with diverse cinema in Galway’s cultural hub.
