Fresh International Film Festival brings exciting industry events to Limerick on April 11 and 12

The 2025 Fresh International Film Festival is set to deliver an exciting weekend events from Ireland and beyond. Lights, Camera, Action! Young actor Isabelle Fennelly, (7) pictured with Back Row Left to Right: Justine Stafford – Presenter/Comedian/Actor, Maureen Kennelly – Director, Arts Council Ireland, Mark Anderson – Director, Omniplex Group, Jayne Foley – Artistic Director, Fresh Film Festival and Colman Farrell – Screen Ireland, Head of Skills & Professional Development
Front Row: Left to Right Karim Mbamba, (18) – Young Filmmaker & Entrant and Fiachra Cotter O’Culachain, (18) – Winner of Ireland’s Young Filmmaker of the Year 2024. Photo credit: Kenneth O’Halloran

The 2025 Fresh International Film Festival is set to deliver an exciting weekend of film screenings, networking, and industry insights, showcasing young filmmaking talent from Ireland and beyond at Engine, Cecil Street on Friday, April 11 and Saturday, April 12

Fresh International Film Festival will bring a weekend of film screenings, networking, and industry insights, showcasing young filmmaking talent from Ireland and beyond at the Engine Collaboration Centre, Cecil Street, for what will be a weekend to inspire, connect, and elevate emerging filmmakers.

The weekend of events is running as part of the 2025 Fresh International Film Festival which runs from Monday, April 7 to Sunday, April 13.

On Friday, April 11, from 7:00 to 10:00 pm, the festival kicks off with the Fresh x Big Shots Short Film Screenings & International Networking Event. This free event, held in collaboration with Big Shots, an open mic night for filmmakers, will showcase a selection of short films from both Irish and international creators. Attendees will also have the chance to engage with international guests and members of the National Youth Film Council, making this an ideal evening for budding filmmakers to network and collaborate.

The events continue on Saturday, April 12, with the Fresh Young Filmmakers Forum, an all-day event running from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. This free programme is designed to provide young filmmakers with peer-to-peer learning, industry knowledge, and practical opportunities.

advertisement
advertisement

advertisement
advertisement

advertisement
advertisement

advertisement
advertisement

advertisement
advertisement

advertisement
advertisement

One of the key highlights is a Virtual Masterclass and live Q&A session with renowned producer Sir David Puttnam. The forum will also feature a panel discussion looking at the theme of “From Indie Dreams to Funded Screens”, filmmakers Jonathon Farrelly (An Taibhse), Aisha Bolaji (Why the Sun & Moon Live in the Sky), and Liam Boland (Alone Together) will share their experiences on the panel which is chaired by Dr Tony Tracy from the Huston School of Film & Digital Media at the University of Galway.

Aspiring filmmakers will also benefit from a pitching workshop led by Sinéad Collopy (Paddy, Every Five Miles, Long Way Home), followed by a live pitching competition with real-time feedback from an industry panel.

Fresh Film runs programmes throughout the year under four headings; Fresh Education, Fresh International, Fresh Production and Fresh International Film Festival. Founded in 1997 as the Irish School’s Video Competition, Fresh Film was originally a schools competition for secondary students. It has since grown into a year round organisation with a focus on national and international filmmakers spanning the primary and secondary age groups. ‘Fresh International Film Festival’ now includes ‘Ireland’s Young Filmmaker of the Year Awards `, which constitute three sections – Junior (7-12 years) – Senior (12- 18 years) – The International (7-19 years). Each section is open to individual filmmakers, schools, youth and community groups.

For almost three decades, Ireland’s Fresh International Film Festival has nurtured, mentored and platformed many of the island’s most exciting new filmmaking talent, bolstering Ireland’s emerging film, television, and digital creative sector. From Oscar-nominated director Vincent Lambe to All-American High School Film Festival, New York ‘Best Director’ Seán Treacy, BBC Presenter and Author Nick Sheridan, Comedian and TV personality Justine Stafford and countless more, Fresh Film alumni play myriad roles in film, television, and digital media sectors in Ireland and across the world. 

Fresh Film runs programmes throughout the year under four headings; Fresh Education, Fresh International, Fresh Production and Fresh International Film Festival.

Jayne Foley, the Artistic Director and founder of Fresh Film commented, “Our mission has always been to empower young voices and this award validates our efforts. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the young filmmakers who share their stories with us and continue to inspire us every day.”