Lights, Camera, Action! Fresh International Film Festival rolls out the red carpet for Ireland’s Young Filmmaker of the Year Awards 2025
Posted: 3rd April 2025
The countdown is on! In collaboration with Fís Éireann/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, 10th April 2025, at 8pm, ensuring audiences worldwide can celebrate Ireland’s brightest young filmmaking talent in real-time.
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!
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.
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 Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland, The Arts Council, 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 Ireland’s Young Filmmaker of the Year Awards 2025 will be broadcast live on YouTube, bringing audiences worldwide closer to the action. Tune in, celebrate, and engage in real-time!
Date: Thursday, April 10, 2025 at 8pm
Where: Fresh Film YouTube Channel
Link: https://www.youtube.com/@freshfilmfestival
Viewer discretion is advised for younger audiences, and parents, guardians, and teachers are encouraged to preview the films in advance or watch along with younger children.
Don’t miss this unforgettable evening celebrating the future of film! Stay tuned for updates and further information at freshfilm.ie and omniplex.ie
Don't miss out on the action!