PHOTOS Catalyst International Film Festival returned for its 7th edition

Catalyst International Film Festival returned for its 7th edition from April 23 to 25. Photo: Olena Oleksienko/ilovelimerick

Catalyst International Film Festival hosted the 7th edition of the festival presenting films, panel discussions, workshops and networking events in venues across the city 23rd – 25th April

The 7th Catalyst International Film Festival presents a film programme that prioritises stories and storytellers currently under-represented on screen and behind the camera.

Recognised as one of Ireland’s most dynamic and socially engaged festivals, Catalyst offers exceptional visibility, industry connections, and the opportunity to screen in front of engaged audiences and respected professionals. Its ambassador is the Hollywood actor, Ruth Negga.

Dr Susan Liddy, festival founder and director, said this year’s festival had an “action-packed programme. She said, “I’m was particularly excited to open the festival with a screening of Once Upon a Time in a Cinema in the Royal Cinema here in Limerick.  The Catalyst team was delighted to welcome members of the cast and crew including director David Gleeson (Don’t Go, The Front Line, Cowboys & Angels) and producer Nathalie Lichtenthaeler (Don’t Go, The Front Line, Cowboys & Angels).” 

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Gleeson hails from Limerick originally and his latest film was shot in the historic Royal Cinema which had been closed for many years. The Festival Direcotr added, “I think it’s hugely nostalgic and heart-warming for a Limerick audience, many of whom were extras in the film, to have an opportunity to see David’s film screen in the Royal Cinema for this unique gala event. We were all very excited to welcome back David, Nathalie and the team with this special film.”

The award-winning documentary, Everybody to Kenmure Street, closed out the 7th edition of the festival, directed by Felipe Bustos Sierra, the documentary was produced by Belfast native, Ciara Barry.

Dr Liddy explains, “Released in the UK in March 2026, this is its first cinematic release in Ireland. It tells the story of an event that happened in Scotland in May 2021 when a UK Home Office dawn raid triggered one of the most spontaneous and successful acts of civil resistance in recent times.  In Pollokshields, Scotland’s most diverse neighbourhood, hundreds of residents rushed to the streets to stop the deportation of their neighbours. This timely film demonstrates the power of solidarity and the innate decency of people.”

This year the festival proudly presented a dedicated Stories from Palestine short film programme, coinciding with the International Shorts programme.

“Featuring six diverse shorts with an immersive quality, these films are a testament to the dignity and resilience of the human heart,” she said.

This year’s festival also brought the world premiere of David McDonagh’s Queen Lizzy, which was awarded last year’s Catalyst Short Documentary Bursary Award and was one of the closing films of the festival.

Dr Susan Liddy said, “Championing gender equality, diversity and inclusion in front of and behind the camera, a key part of Catalyst’s mission, ‘Queen Lizzy’ is a raw and honest film about Spoken Word artist, Lizzy C and her relationship with her family who struggle to come to terms with her sexuality.”

As part of the festival, the 2026 Bursary Interviews took place on Saturday 25 April and were assessed by established industry filmmakers: Vanessa Gildea (The 34th), Pat Collins (The Dance) and Aoife Kelleher (Testimony).

The festival founder added, “We presented our annual Shaping the Future in Screenwriting: Industry Day, in collaboration with the National Talent Academy for Film and Television, a must see event with BAFTA winner and leading UK screenwriter Danny Brocklehurst (Clocking Off, Brassic, Adultery, Fool Me Once) joined us for a Screenwriting Masterclass, an  ‘in conversation’ with IFTA winner and Kerry native, Ailbhe Keogan (Run and Jump, Joyride, Sunlight, Trespasses).”

Speaking about the importance of supporting and nurturing emerging talent, the festival says this year’s edition is no exception. This year Catalyst presented an industry morning in Engine, the Catalyst Brunch Club, in collaboration with Film in Limerick.

Susan added, “There was a coffee and catch-up as well as advice and support getting films ‘festival ready’.  Established documentary filmmakers offered insights into the making of short documentaries and got to give direct feedback to 5 lucky pitchers.”

With emphasis on the support for emerging talent, the festival this year extended their Catalyst Lab for Emerging Screenwriters to 3 days thanks to the Screen Ireland Stakeholders fund, and had our annual Awards event on the closing night. We were thrilled to extend a warm Limerick welcome for a buzzy, busy, celebratory event this year.”

Catalyst International Film Festival ran from 23rd- 25th April across Limerick City. Full programme available on the Catalayst website.

Catalyst 2026 Gala Evening & Awards Ceremony at Belltable

Brunch Club: Design Your Film Festival Strategy with Varun Raman, Documentary Filmmaking Panel, Documentary Pitching Event at ENGINE

STORIES FROM PALESTINE SHORTS PROGRAMME at Belltable Limerick

SCREENWRITING INDUSTRY DAY at Savoy Limerick

‘ONCE UPON A TIME IN A CINEMA’ Limerick Premiere at Royal Cinema

2026 STUDENT DAY at Belltable Limerick