Atticus Education, Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland and Northern Ireland Screen announce 2026 Puttnam Scholars
Posted: 15th June 2026
Atticus Education, Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland and Northern Ireland Screen have announced the eight filmmakers that will participate in this year’s Puttnam Scholars programme.
A cross-border initiative, the Atticus Education ‘Puttnam Scholars’ programme is a series of interactive online seminars for early-to-mid career filmmakers with Oscar-winning producer David Puttnam (Local Hero, Chariots of Fire, The Killing Fields), run in conjunction with Screen Ireland and Northern Ireland Screen.
Now in its seventh year, the Puttnam Scholars Programme offers eight talented people from both sides of the border the chance to help develop their creative resilience and professional acumen and forge cultural connections and stimulate business networks across the island of Ireland.
This year each participant will receive a scholarship of €1,000 for participating in the programme, as well as a travel bursary to attend the Berlinale and the EFM in February 2027. The group will also meet in Autumn 2026 for a special in-person networking event. Last year saw the Scholars gather at the residence of the British Ambassador to Ireland for a special networking luncheon in Dublin, hosted by the British Council and the British Embassy, as well as a visit to Studio Ulster in Belfast.
Every year Lord Puttnam invites special guests to join some of the seminars to reflect on their recent work and to offer advice to the scholars – this year’s participants can look forward to meeting Philippa Lowthorpe (Director, H is Hawk; Prisoner 951; The Crown), David Abraham (Chief Executive, Wonderhood Studios; Former Chief Executive, Channel 4), and Shaheen Baig (Casting Director, Peaky Blinders; Adolescence).
Since its inception, the programme has proved to be uniquely valuable for participants –as Lara Hickey, Puttnam Scholar 2025, said on completion of summer school:
I think far too many courses, professional development programmes and training programmes focus on the nuts and bolts of the industry and not on the WHY! This programme brought the WHY up to the top of the priorities list.
Nicky Larkin, Puttnam Scholar 2024, who went on to produce the IFTA-nominated short film, Punt in 2025, said of his time on the programme:
I really couldn't have done [Punt] without everything I learned on the Puttnam Scholarship last year. From working with composers, producers - and especially working with actors - as it's something I had very little experience of. From start to finish everything on Punt was so massively informed by what David - and his amazing guest speakers - taught us on the Scholarship last year.
The 2026 participants were chosen by Northern Ireland Screen and Screen Ireland following a highly-competitive application process. This year the participants come from wide-ranging backgrounds that include writing, producing, and directing, across documentary, features and television:
- Sheena Lambert – Writer selected by Screen Ireland
- Adam O’Keeffe – Writer/Director/Producer selected by Screen Ireland
- Mairtín de Barra – Producer selected by Screen Ireland
- Mia Mullarkey – Writer/Director selected by Screen Ireland
- Ross McClean – Documentary Filmmaker selected by Northern Ireland Screen
- Peter Young – Writer/Director selected by Northern Ireland Screen
- Aideen Hand - Producer selected by Northern Ireland Screen
- Pearce Cullen - Producer selected by Northern Ireland Screen
David Puttnam said:
Screen Ireland and NI Screen have put together another cracking group of Scholars this year, once again reminding me of the exceptional talent that exists on the island of Ireland. Each year a group of bright, enthusiastic filmmakers find their way onto our programme and the team at Atticus Education works hard to meet their expectations with the material we deliver, and also works hard to provide a space for them to learn from each other – both in the seminars and during the in-person events. It is honestly the case that the better the candidates, the better the programme, and that means that we have built something very special, and mutually beneficial, over the past six years. I think it also speaks to the spirit of collaboration on which this programme was built; every year the connections between North and South are deepened, as Scholars go on to work together, and support each other across the border. I think that was particularly strengthened by our trip to Belfast in 2025. I can’t wait to meet the class of 2026!
Désirée Finnegan, Chief Executive of Screen Ireland said:
Congratulations to the eight filmmakers selected for this year's Puttnam Scholars programme. Our partnership with Northern Ireland Screen and Atticus Education continues to create meaningful opportunities for creative talent across the island of Ireland, supporting their development and fostering lasting professional connections. This initiative provides a unique space for filmmakers to reflect on the values, leadership skills and resilience required to build a sustainable career in the screen industry. We look forward to seeing their progress and wish them every success.
Richard Williams, Chief Executive of Northern Ireland Screen, said:
At a time when emerging filmmakers are navigating an increasingly competitive international industry, the Puttnam Scholars programme provides direct access to experience, insight and professional networks at a pivotal stage in their careers. We are delighted to support this cross-border initiative in collaboration with Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland and Atticus Education. The programme connects emerging talent with internationally recognised industry leaders while investing in new creative voices and the continued growth of the screen sector.
Image: Clockwise from top left - Sheena Lambert, Adam O’Keeffe, Ross McClean, Peter Young, Pearce Cullen, Aideen Hand, Mia Mullarkey, Mairtín de Barra