Limerick documentary Knuck & Knuckle selected for Waterford International Film Festival

Limerick documentary Knuck & Knuckle selected for Waterford International Film Festival

The Limerick-made documentary Knuck & Knuckle has received further recognition following its selection for the Waterford International Film Festival

Knuck & Knuckle has been selected to be screened at the Waterford International Film Festival taking place on November 15 and 16, a milestone for the Limerick-made documentary as it will mark the first time it will be available to stream to Limerick audiences and beyond through Eiretainment.com.

Directed by emerging filmmakers Ellie Marron and Sean Horgan, produced by Monica Spencer and Frank McCarthy, the film will be screened on Saturday, November 15 as part of the SETU Programme 2. Knuck & Knuckle received high recognition earlier this year as it was announced as Best documentary Short winner at the 2025 Catalyst International Film Festival.

Featuring Limerick artist Willzee in conversation with professional boxer Lee Reeves, the two explore the transformative power of sport, especially boxing, as a tool for mental well-being and resilience. Produced in 2023, the film was supported by Creative Ireland’s Traveller Wellbeing Through Creativity programme, a fund aimed at addressing mental health challenges in the Traveller community.

advertisement
advertisement

advertisement
advertisement

advertisement
advertisement

advertisement
advertisement

Lee Reeves’ story is a gripping tale of how a young Limerick man uses his love of boxing to overcome the pain of losing his mother to suicide. Having turned his grief into an energy that became his route to recovery and survival, Reeves is now a keen advocate for boxing and sport as tools for positive mental health for young men, particularly those from the Irish Traveller community, where suicide rates are seven times higher than average.

Known professionally as El Champo, he is currently the NABF light welterweight champion in North America. With music artist Willzee in the role of interviewer, Knuck & Knuckle holds appeal for young people over the age of 15, particularly those struggling to cope with grief. Directed by Sean Horgan and Ellie Marron. Produced by Frank McCarthy and Monica Spencer.

Monica Spencer told I Love Limerick that “it’s just fantastic” to be selected for the festival. She said, “Every time we get into a festival we’re absolutely thrilled. It’s a tough route because you have to put it out there to lots of festivals. You don’t always get in. But the ones that selected us, we’ve been thrilled with. The first place that it was screened was at the Misleór festival in Galway, which is a festival of nomadic culture led by the traveller community in Galway.

“It has really hit the right spot, and it does provoke a lot of questions. There is no lighthearted way to explore the topic of suicide, of grief, and bereavement due to suicide. But we need to talk about it more, and I think it prompts discussion in a good way.”

Co-produced by Monica Spencer and Frank McCarthy, the film was directed by a young creative team in Ellie Marron and Sean Horgan, the documentary’s national recognition has been an incredible milestone as well as its impact on the topic, which has helped broach conversations around grief, suicide, and community healing.

The documentary links in with The Gaff’s ‘Paint Punch’ project, a unique community-focused, youth arts programme which has seen sixty young people from Kilmallock, Abbeyfeale, Ennis, Askeaton and Limerick City create impressive works of art by punching paint onto boards with boxing gloves. Monica explained it tied in a Lee Reeves attended the Paint Punch project in Askeaton which featured in part of the documentary.

The Paint Punch programme took place over the summer months of 2024, in partnership with St. Mary’s Boys School, Abbeyfeale, Ballyhoura Development Company, Kilmallock, Limerick Youth Service, Askeaton, Limerick Learning Hub, Clare Youth Service, Ennis and the Local Creative Youth Partnership at Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board.