Fresh International Film Festival rolls out the red carpet for Ireland’s Young Filmmaker of the Year Awards 2025

Pictured at the announcement of the 2025 Ireland’s Young Filmmaker of the Year Awards YouTube broadcast are Karim Mbamba, (18) – Young Filmmaker & Entrant , Isabelle Fennelly, (7) – Young actor and Fiachra Cotter O’Culachain, (18) – Winner of Ireland’s Young Filmmaker of the Year 2024. Photo credit: Kenneth O’Halloran

Fresh International Film Festival rolls out the red carpet for Ireland’s Young Filmmaker of the Year Awards (IYFTYs) 2025 to be broadcast live on Youtube Thursday, April 10

The countdown is on! In collaboration with Screen Ireland, The Arts Council, and Omniplex Cinema Group, the Fresh International Film Festival is thrilled to present the much-anticipated 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.

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New hosts take centre stage. Two of Ireland’s most exciting comedic talents are leading this year’s celebrations: Justine Stafford and Hannah Mamalis. Known for her razor-sharp wit and viral comedy sketches, Justine has made waves in Irish media as a comedian, writer, and content creator with over 100k followers.

Critically acclaimed comedian, writer, and actor Hannah Mamalis brings her sharp wit and surreal humour to the stage. A regular on RTÉ, BBC, and major festivals, she’s known for her unique storytelling and offbeat charm. Leading us through the evening, both on the red carpet and behind the scenes, is the dynamic and multi-talented 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”.

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!

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.

Film highlights from the IYFTYs shortlist

Frequency 208.4 tells the story of a war-torn world, Karina’s broadcasts on Frequency 208.4 bring hope to scattered survivors, uniting them through the airwaves as danger draws near. Using cutting-edge technology, Frequency 208.4 is a gripping short film from Waterford Youth Arts, written, produced, and performed by its talented members.

Red Reverie by 17-year-old Hugo Fearon from Belfast is a visually stunning blend of live-action and animation, estranged sisters Sasha and Gretchen navigate the surreal world left in the wake of their parent’s death. As they confide in us over the course of a single morning, a chilling truth lingers—some secrets aren’t meant for us to hear.

Home From Home is a poignant documentary following young people from Ukraine as they navigate their new lives in Ireland, exploring the challenges, triumphs, and the hope of rebuilding a sense of home in a foreign land, from Cahersiveen Youth Film Group, Co.Kerry.

More Than Peanuts, an absurdist comedy-drama by Devlin Murphy from Dublin, follows a socially reclusive deep-thinker on a quest for life’s meaning and an outgoing “cool kid” who just wants a boyfriend and a simple life. As their worlds collide, the film explores the contradictions of existence—one peanut at a time.

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.

Fresh Film, Fresh International Film Festival and Ireland’s Young Filmmaker of the Year Awards are made possible with the generous support, investment and partnership of The Arts Council of Ireland, Screen Ireland, Omniplex Cinema Group, Limerick City and County Council, Coimisiún na Meán, RTÉ, Limerick & Clare Education & Training Board, Screen Producers Ireland, The Radharc Trust, Animation Ireland, Bow Street Academy, IFCO and RTÉ Supporting the Arts.

Watch the awards live on YouTube