PHOTOS Once Upon a Time in a Cinema celebrates Limerick screening at Royal Cinema

Once Upon a Time in a Cinema celebrates Limerick screening at Royal Cinema. Director David Gleeson, producer Nathalie Lichtenthaeler, with some cast and crew members were part of the audience in attendance at the Limerick screening of ‘Once Upon a Time in a Cinema’ as part of the Catalyst International Film Festival on Thursday, April 23, 2026. Picture: Olena Oleksienko/ilovelimerick

The historic Royal Cinema held its first screening in 40 years as part of Catalyst International Film Festival with the showing of ‘Once Upon a Time in a Cinema’, the setting of the movie

Director David Gleeson, producer Nathalie Lichtenthaeler, with some cast and crew members were part of the audience in attendance at the Limerick screening of ‘Once Upon a Time in a Cinema‘ as part of the Catalyst International Film Festival.

Once Upon a Time in a Cinema received its premiere at the Dublin International Film Festival and the Limerick premiere the red carpet was rolled out at the Royal Cinema for its first screening in 40 years, marking a full-circle moment for Gleeson, who shot the feature at the historic venue in 2025, as they now gear up for its international release on May 1.

This nostalgic live letter to cinema was filmed entirely in Limerick city and employing a majority local crew, ‘Once Upon a Time in a Cinema’ stars Colin Morgan (Merlin, The Fall, The Boy That Never Was) as the manager of a small-town cinema who struggles to keep the peace on a chaotic Friday night at the pictures. Set in 1980’s Ireland and told in real-time over the course of the movie playing in the cinema, this feel-good movie is a loving tribute to the cinema experience and also stars Calam Lynch, Niamh Cusack and India Mullen and features Limerick actor Liam O’Brien.

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The historic city centre cinema was restored for the production and hosted a gala screening for the movie’s premiere as part of the 2026 Catalyst International Film Festival. Speaking about the project, Once Upon a Time in a Cinema shared on social media, “The Royal Cinema in Limerick had been silent for decades. But watching the lights go back on, the projector humming and the seats filled again highlights just how important it is to preserve the places where communities can congregate and be together.”

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.

Festival Director Dr Susan Liddy highlighted the necessity of the festival’s mission, noting that too many promising voices are lost due to a lack of institutional support saying, “Too often, promising voices are not identified or supported, resulting in a loss of authentic stories,” Dr Liddy said, adding “Catalyst is taking a first step towards changing that.”

Speaking ahead of its release, David, a Cappamore native, was born into a family of Irish cinema owners. His father, Edward (Eddie) Gleeson,  was the former proprietor of Ormond Cineplex, Nenagh, Curzon Kilmallock, and Regal Cappamore cinemas. The Regal Cinema in Cappamore opened in 1942.

Mr Gleeson was working there from day one, aged just 12. The film stopped rolling in the landmark cinema in Cappamore in 1991. At the time of its closing, the Regal was the last surviving independent cinema serving the smallest population in the EU.

Mr Gleeson opened the Curzon Cinema in Kilmallock in 1974 with The Poseidon Adventure, the first film screened. He took over the running of the Ormond in Nenagh in 1986. Having overseen the conversion of the cinema to the four-screen Ormond Cineplex, Mr Gleeson remained at the helm until January 2020, when it was acquired by Omniplex Cinemas.

Speaking ahead of its release, David, a Cappamore native, told I Love Limerick about drawing his inspiration from his childhood. He said,  “Our father was always there, 52 weeks a year. He never took a holiday, actually; a remarkable fact. Each of us, his seven offspring, took turns over the years working side-by-side with him for the matinees and evening shows,” said David. They are memories his children cherish.

“Instead of being allowed to go to nightclubs and discos, I had to work late shows on Friday night and Saturday night. So this movie draws upon my experiences of 1,001 nights standing around the foyer of a cinema and standing inside watching the same movie over and over again, and all the colourful characters and situations that happen in cinemas. The cinema has profoundly shaped my life, and this film reflects three generations of my family’s experiences. Anyone with fond memories of going to the pictures will find something to laugh or cry about in this film.”

Photos: Olena Oleksienko/ilovelimerick